Ipswich Town Post Historic Premier League Home Win In 22 Years

In a historic moment, Ipswich Town secured their first home win of the Premier League season in 22 years. 

The team registered an impressive 2-0 triumph over Chelsea at Portman Road.

Liam Delap’s penalty in the 12th minute gave the host a lead and was later built up upon by Omari Hutchinson who scored against his former team in the second half.

Their last top-flight victory came when they beat Middlesbrough in April, 2002. 

“In the last game of 2024 against Chelsea is pretty special,” said Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna who had been linked with the Chelsea managerial job in the summer.

“It is our best achievement.”

Over the past two seasons Ipswich have achieved back-to-back promotions. But despite collecting 96 points last term, finishing a point behind champions Leicester City, Town have struggled making the step up to the Premier League.

The Suffolk side were winless across their first 10 games before stunning Tottenham away from home in a 2-1 win in November.

But, at a bouncing Portman Road on Monday night, the fourth-placed Blues were blown away as Kieran McKenna’s side finally recorded their first home league win of the season.

Over the past two seasons Ipswich have achieved back-to-back promotions. But despite collecting 96 points last term, finishing a point behind champions Leicester City, Town have struggled making the step up to the Premier League.

The Suffolk side were winless across their first 10 games before stunning Tottenham away from home in a 2-1 win in November.

They beat Wolves on the road earlier this month too, but it had been a struggle for that elusive success in front of their own fans.

Incredibly, it was Town’s first penalty goal in the Premier League in more than 23 years – Marcus Stewart’s strike in November 2001 also came against Chelsea.

Meanwhile, the 21-year-old Delap took his goal tally to seven in the league this season – and only Cole Palmer, James Maddison and Ollie Watkins have scored more among English players.

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“Everyone’s been asking me to do it so I thought I would for the first home win,” Hutchinson, 21, said.

“It’s good to write history.”

Despite their victory, Ipswich remain in the bottom three, although they cut the gap to 17th-placed Wolves and safety to just one point.

The Tractor Boys’ next home league match is against Brighton on January 16.