Chelsea’s Premier League title hopes took a significant hit after a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Monday.
The result served as a reality check for Enzo Maresca’s side, who struggled to break down a determined Ipswich defense.
The hosts opened the scoring early when Liam Delap converted a penalty in the 13th minute following a contentious decision by referee John Brooks.
Filip Jorgensen, deputizing in goal for Robert Sanchez, was penalized for an apparent foul, though replays suggested minimal contact.
Chelsea pressed for an equalizer, hitting the woodwork twice.
Cole Palmer’s free-kick struck the post, while Joao Felix had a goal disallowed for a marginal offside before halftime.
In the second half, a costly mistake from Axel Disasi allowed former Chelsea player Omari Hutchinson to score Ipswich’s second goal, effectively ending the visitors’ chances.
Chelsea rarely threatened to mount a comeback, leaving fans frustrated.
Player Ratings
Filip Jorgensen (6):
Given a rare start, the Danish goalkeeper made a rash decision to challenge Delap for the ball, leading to the penalty. While replays showed he was unlucky, Jorgensen made several important saves afterward but was helpless against Hutchinson’s strike.
Axel Disasi (3):
A poor performance from the defender, whose lack of urgency and a glaring error led to Ipswich’s second goal. His inclusion in the starting lineup was puzzling, and his continued presence after the mistake surprised many.
Levi Colwill (4):
Struggled at both ends of the pitch. Missed a crucial opportunity to score and failed to convince defensively. His frustrations boiled over late in the game, resulting in a booking.
Marc Cucurella (5):
Covered a lot of ground but had little impact. A wayward effort was his only notable contribution in an otherwise ineffective display.
Moises Caicedo (5):
The midfielder showed his usual energy but struggled to influence the game. Had one of his quieter outings this season and was booked.
Enzo Fernandez (6):
Displayed creativity with some excellent passes but was caught out defensively at times. Could have had assists if not for Felix’s disallowed goal. Also received a booking.
Noni Madueke (5):
Returning to the starting XI after being dropped, he showed glimpses of threat but lacked consistency to make a lasting impact.
Cole Palmer (6):
Came close to scoring with a free-kick that hit the post and had another shot saved. Worked hard to create opportunities but faded as the game progressed.
Joao Felix (5):
Thought he had equalized before VAR intervened. His second-half header was blocked, and he was surprisingly substituted after 55 minutes.
Christopher Nkunku (5):
Almost capitalized on a rebound from Palmer’s effort but was otherwise ineffective. Subbed off after 65 minutes as Maresca continued to search for a solution to spark his form.
Substitutes
Nicolas Jackson (5):
The forward had minimal impact after coming on, missing a clear chance that was later ruled offside.
Jadon Sancho (5):
Barely involved after entering the game, adding little to Chelsea’s attacking efforts.
Pedro Neto (6):
Brought on late but couldn’t influence the outcome significantly.
Chelsea’s poor performance drew sharp criticism from fans, with frustration directed at Maresca’s tactical decisions, particularly his handling of the lineup and substitutions.
The defeat leaves the team with much to ponder as they aim to regroup for upcoming fixtures.