Ipswich vs Chelsea - LIVE

Chelsea’s final game of 2024 ended in a 2-0 defeat against Ipswich. Enzo Maresca’s side arrived at Portman Road without a win in two which had seen them start the day in fourth place in the Premier League table.And that’s where they’ll remain heading into the new year.

Falling behind as early as the 12th minute when Filip Jorgensen was adjudged to have brought down Liam Delap in the area and thus conceded a penalty from which the Ipswich striker broke the deadlock with an emphatic finish. To Chelsea’s credit, they were extremely unfortunate to have trailed at the break as Joao Felix had a goal disallowed following a lengthy VAR check, Cole Palmer was twice denied by the woodwork, Enzo Fernandez had a close range effort blocked and Moises Caicedo as well as Christopher Nkunku both went close.

The second half started in similar fashion, but against the run of play, the hosts doubled their lead as Omari Hutchinson capitalised on an error from Axel Disasi to score against the club he left permanently in the summer. Ipswich saw out the game relatively comfortably to secure their first home win of the season and first home win in the Premier League for 20 years.

Ipswich vs Chelsea latest news

• GOAL! Hutchinson scores against his former club

• NO GOAL! VAR rules out Felix equaliser

• GOAL! Delap puts hosts ahead from the penalty spot

• How to follow: No TV coverage

Player ratings...

22:03 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Axel Disasi 2

Brought in to offer more protection against Leif Davis’s raids, but Chelsea missed Malo Gusto’s dynamism down that flank. Had two shockers in one move for Ipswich second.

Tosin Adarabioyo 4

Goal-saving block on Nathan Broadhead early on but found it tough going up against Delap thereafter.

Levi Colwill 5

Not overworked defensively as Delap targeted Tosin. Fine cross deserved a finish from Madueke. Booked.

Marc Cucurella 5

Made himself public enemy No1, as per. Drove decent chance wide early on.

Read the full player ratings right here!

Ipswich 2-0 Chelsea

21:44 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

FT: Ipswich 2-0 Chelsea

That’s it at Portman Road as a huge roar greets the final whistle, a first home win of the season for Ipswich.

Three games without a win for Chelsea.

Ipswich 2-0 Chelsea

21:42 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

90+2 min: That might just be it for Chelsea as Enzo Fernandez’s effort sails over the bar.

Ipswich make a double change with Liam Delap and Omari Hutchinson earning a standing ovation.

Ipswich 2-0 Chelsea

21:39 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

90 min: Just like in the first-half, five minutes of stoppage time will be played.

Ipswich 2-0 Chelsea

21:36 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

88 min: Malo Gusto clearly unhappy with Davis holding on to the ball, they square up to each other and both players are booked.

Levi Colwill then talks himself into a yellow card.

Ipswich 2-0 Chelsea

21:34 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

85 min: Jackson fires another effort over the bar as Ipswich bring on Ben Johnson for Wes Burns.

That screams of a change to shore things up at the back.

Ipswich 2-0 Chelsea

21:26 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

76 min: Nicolas Jackson misses an absolute sitter but to his relief, the offside flag was raised.

Both sides make subs as Phillips and Szmodics are on for Ipswich whilst Neto and Gusto are on for Chelsea.

Ipswich 2-0 Chelsea

21:22 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

73 min: It’s the Liam Delap show!

Another showcase of strong running as he takes Ipswich up the pitch and forces a corner after drawing a save from Jorgensen.

Ipswich 2-0 Chelsea

21:18 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

69 min: Pinball in the Ipswich area results in a penalty shout for handball.

VAR checks it but nothing is given.

Ipswich 2-0 Chelsea

21:15 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

66 min: Liam Delap takes on several Chelsea players by himself and draws a foul which leads to Moises Caicedo being shown a yellow card.

The Ipswich striker has really caught the eye tonight.

Then Broadhead forces Jorgensen into a routine save as the hosts look to strike again.

Ipswich 2-0 Chelsea

21:13 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

64 min: Jadon Sancho is on for Christopher Nkunku in Chelsea’s second change of the night.

Not the Frenchman’s best performance on a rare Premier League start.

Ipswich 2-0 Chelsea

21:11 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

62 min: Great centre-forward play from Liam Delap, but his effort doesn’t cause any problems for Jorgensen.

Ipswich 2-0 Chelsea

21:09 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Omari Hutchinson joined Ipswich from Chelsea on a permanent transfer in the summer and he had no issue celebrating scoring against his former club.

Ipswich 2-0 Chelsea

21:08 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

60 min: You get the feeling the next goal in this is so crucial, if Chelsea score then it’s game on!

Still a long way to go and the Blues have got quality on their bench.

Ipswich 2-0 Chelsea

21:03 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

54 min: Enzo Maresca responds immediately with a change as Nicolas Jackson replaces Joao Felix.

GOAL! Ipswich 2-0 Chelsea | Omari Hutchinson '53

21:02 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

53 min: IPSWICH DOUBLE THEIR LEAD

And it’s a second goal for Ipswich, against the run of play, as Omari Hutchinson produces a fantastic finish to put the hosts in dreamland.

Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Portman Road

20:59 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

It feels very, very early for Ipswich to have gone into full park-it mode.

Ipswich 1-0 Chelsea

20:58 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

49 min: Decent effort from Noni Madueke but it’s a comfortable save for Walton. The Chelsea forward was on his weaker right foot, not to mention he was at an acute angle.

Ipswich 1-0 Chelsea

20:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

47 min: Chelsea thwarted again at the start of the second half after being picked out by Enzo Fernandez in the area.

The forward can’t generate enough power on his header and the effort is hacked away.

Ipswich 1-0 Chelsea

20:54 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

46 min: Christopher Nkunku is down momentarily after being caught in the face.

Just a quick look at Chelsea’s attacking options on the bench: Neto, Sancho, Jackson.

Enough firepower should Enzo Maresca look to change it up.

Ipswich 1-0 Chelsea

20:52 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Back underway at Portman Road.

Around the grounds...

20:44 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Aston Villa 1-1 Brighton

Manchester United 0-2 Newcastle United (latest)

Ipswich 1-0 Chelsea

20:37 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

HT: Ipswich 1-0 Chelsea

Chelsea trail at half-time to Liam Delap's penalty.

Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Portman Road

20:34 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Chelsea had already hit the woodwork more times than anyone else in the Premier League this season coming into tonight, doing so on 13 occasions.

Cole Palmer’s added another two to the tally on his own.

Ipswich 1-0 Chelsea

20:33 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

45+1 min: WHAT A SAVE!

Great move by Chelsea as Joao Felix sets the ball back for Cole Palmer whose effort looks destined for the net by Walton pulls off a superb save.

Ipswich 1-0 Chelsea

20:32 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

45 min: Five minutes of stoppage time to be played.

Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Portman Road

20:31 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Chelsea need to stay patient here. Worth remembering that they’ve had an extra day and a half recovery coming into this.

They played Fulham on Boxing Day afternoon - Ipswich ran Arsenal close at the Emirates the following night. It would be a heroic physical effort to hold on.

Ipswich 1-0 Chelsea

20:29 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

41 min: Enzo Fernandez sees his effort blocked and he’s a bit too eager in trying to get to the rebound first and concedes a free-kick.

Ipswich 1-0 Chelsea

20:26 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

38 min: Liam Delap leads an Ipswich break, but he’s isolated. That doesn’t matter as he gets half a yard on Tosin and draws a save from Jorgensen.

Ipswich 1-0 Chelsea

20:24 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

35 min: Tosin picks out Cole Palmer with a nice pass over the top, he then picks out Joao Felix who shoots straight at Walton.

At the other end, a lack of communication between Delap and Davis causes a promising Ipswich attack to break down.

Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Portman Road

20:23 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

I wish I could be as passionate about anything as the old boy in the front row was about giving Marc Cucurella some grief there.

Absolutely spewing.

Ipswich 1-0 Chelsea

20:22 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

34 min: Levi Colwill clips a lovely ball into the area but Nkunku can’t make a connection.

Poor clearance gifts the ball straight back to Chelsea and Moises Caicedo but he lashes a shot high and wide.

Ipswich 1-0 Chelsea

20:20 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

32 min: Another free-kick for Chelsea, not to far from where Cole Palmer hit the post.

This one, however, is floated into the box and easily cleared by the home side.

Ipswich 1-0 Chelsea

20:17 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

29 min: More chances for Chelsea as Felix has an effort blocked before Marc Cucurella widly slices the rebound wide.

Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Portman Road

20:14 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

An awfully long wait for that decision. Felix looked miles off from one angle and very, very close to being on from another. One of those VAR decisions that feels almost like a goal in terms of the energy it’s given the ground.

Ipswich 1-0 Chelsea

20:14 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

27 min: NO GOAL

Joao Felix sees his goal ruled out after a VAR check.

Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Portman Road

20:09 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

That free-kick came about because for the first time Joao Felix was able to drift inside and link up with Nkunku. The whole balance of Chelsea’s attack needs to shift when he plays off the left because he isn’t a natural winger.

Ipswich 1-0 Chelsea

20:09 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

21 min: Almost an equaliser for Chelsea as Cole Palmer is denied by the post!

Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Portman Road

20:01 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Well, well, well. It looked like there was contact but maybe only once Delap was already well on his way down?

A cracking penalty afterwards, though, particularly since it looked like Palmer told Jorgensen where his told City academy teammates was going to put his spot-kick.

Ipswich 1-0 Chelsea

20:01 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

13 min: Almost a second for Ipswich as Jorgensen makes a fine save to keep out Delap’s fierce effort.

GOAL! Ipswich 1-0 Chelsea | Liam Delap '11

20:00 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

11 min: IPSWICH LEAD

Liam Delap earned the penalty and he makes no mistake from 12 yards to put the home side ahead.

Ipswich 0-0 Chelsea

19:58 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

10 min: PENALTY FOR IPSWICH!

Jorgensen catches Liam Delap and the referee points to the penalty spot.

Ipswich 0-0 Chelsea

19:56 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

8 min: The game has settled down after a frantic start, Chelsea enjoying a spell of possession without really threatening.

Ipswich 0-0 Chelsea

19:53 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

4 min: Quick start from the hosts as Omari Hutchinson, against his former club, tees up Nathan Broadhead but the Ipswich player sees his effort blocked by Tosin.

Ipswich 0-0 Chelsea

19:48 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Portman Road

Antonee Robinson got plenty of joy down Chelsea’s right on Boxing Day and Leif Davis is cut from similar cloth. You suspect that is part of the reason why Axel Disasi is in at right-back instead of Malo Gusto.

Expect him to play a steady defensive role and Marc Cucurella to be the more adventurous full-back on the other flank.

KICK-OFF!

19:47 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

We are underway in this Premier League clash.

Here we go!

19:43 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Players have emerged from the tunnel area and out onto the pitch.

Time for the player handshakes and then kick-off.

Around the grounds...

19:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Not a lot of action from the Premier League today with just two other games taking place.

Aston Villa vs Brighton

Manchester United vs Newcastle United - 8pm

Not long now!

19:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Less than 10 minutes to go until kick-off at Portman Road!

How it stands...

19:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Chelsea are guaranteed to enter the new year in the top four. Victory tonight will be enough to lift them second place in the Premier League table.

Ipswich, meanwhile, are 19th as it stands and will be looking to close the gap on Wolves to a single point as the relegation battle heats up.

Maresca on James' return

19:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Enzo Maresca has also opened up on Recce James being named in the matchday squad.

“Reece is ready, that’s why he’s with us, but he needs to be brought back into the side gradually,” he said. “There is no rush to get him on the pitch, we are going to take our time and help him the best we can.”

Maresca explains team selection

19:20 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Enzo Maresca has explained why he’s opted to make five changes to the Chelsea side tonight:

“It gives opportunities to players. We have had many games in December, it’s a busy period and we just want the team to stay fresh,” he said ahead of kick-off.

“For the players coming into the team tonight, it’s a chance. For Noni, for Joao, for Christo, it represents a chance.”

Chelsea suspension risks

19:15 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Robert Sanchez and Nicolas Jackson are both on four yellow cards in the Premier League.

So they are the two suspension risks for Chelsea this evening. However, neither start at Portman Road.

With that said, if either comes on and is booked against Ipswich then a one-match suspension will be served against Crystal Palace this coming weekend.

Madueke's return

19:10 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Noni Madueke is back in favour this evening and our very own Malik Ouzia has given his thoughts on Enzo Maresca’s decision.

Chelsea dressing room

19:06 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Behind the scenes at Portman Road as Chelsea's dressing room is prepared ahead of kick-off.

In the building!

19:00 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

The hosts are ready for action at Portman Road!

Ipswich changes

18:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Kieran McKenna has also freshened things up by making four changes following a narrow defeat away to Arsenal on Boxing Day.

Christian Walton, Wes Burns, Sam Morsy and Nathan Broadhead come into the starting line-up for the visit of Chelsea as Aro Muric, Ben Johnson, Kalvin Phillips and Sam Szmodics make way.

Chelsea changes

18:50 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Enzo Maresca has rung the changes following Chelsea’s Boxing Day loss against Fulham.

Jorgensen, Disasi, Madueke, Joao Felix and Nkunku all come in!

However, perhaps the biggest surprise is the inclusion of club captain Reece James on the bench.

Chelsea XI

18:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Plenty of rotation from Enzo Maresca this evening.

Chelsea XI: Jorgensen; Disasi, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez (c); Madueke, Palmer, Joao Felix; Nkunku

Substitutes: Sanchez, James, Gusto, Acheampong, Veiga, Neto, Sancho, Jackson, Guiu

Ipswich XI

18:42 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Here’s the Ipswich team in full:

XI: Walton, Burns, O'Shea, Woolfenden, Greaves, Davis, Morsy (C), Cajuste, Hutchinson, Broadhead, Delap

Subs: Muric, Johnson, Townsend, Phillips, Taylor, Chaplin, Szmodics, J. Clarke, Al-Hamadi

Ipswich team news

18:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

...and for the hosts

Chelsea team news

18:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Lining up for the visitors...

Team news imminent

18:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

We are expecting the team news to be announced shortly.

The big question from a Chelsea perspective is how much will Enzo Maresca rotate, if at all?

Stay tuned...

Madueke latest

18:20 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

All eyes will be on the Chelsea matchday squad and whether Noni Madueke is recalled.

Both he and Renato Veiga were surprise absentees as the Blues were stunned by Fulham’s late fightback at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day with the decision being explained as “technical” reasons.

Read the full story here!

Palmer magic

18:15 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

The one shining light from Chelsea’s loss to Fulham on Boxing Day was Cole Palmer as he produced a moment of magic...

Enzo promise

18:10 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Enzo Fernandez has scored three goals and provided four assists in his last eight Premier League fixtures and insists there's more to come from him.

"I learned the position in which I had to play, over time I got the idea of what the coach wanted," he said.

"He [Maresca] explained to me what he wanted and I was getting the concept, reading the games. There is still a long way to go.

"On a personal level I have been feeling very good. The team has shown a very strong character, always working with humility, and showing that great things can be achieved."

McKenna on Chelsea test

18:05 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Hot on the heels of facing Arsenal, things don't get any easier for Ipswich as they host Chelsea this evening.

Though, despite back-to-back games against two Premier League giants, Kieran McKenna insists there is nothing to fear.

“A tough test, but a great game,” he told reporters. “These tough tests, let’s get it right, coming to the Emirates Stadium to play against Arsenal at Christmas is a positive, it’s not something to fear, it’s not something to feel hesitant about or feel anything other than feel excited about, and Chelsea at home’s the same.

“We know they’re a top side having a very good season but they’re the challenges that we want. Last home game of 2024, let’s go and give it everything we’ve got.”

Predicted Chelsea XI

18:00 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Enzo Maresca’s hands are tied to some extent by defensive injuries, but one of Axel Disasi and Renato Veiga could come in to freshen his backline.

Veiga and winger Noni Madueke were both dropped for “technical” reasons for the Fulham defeat but Maresca confirmed the pair will be back in contention at Portman Road.

Elsewhere, Christopher Nkunku will hope for a rare league start should Nicolas Jackson be given a rest.

Predicted Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Disasi, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Felix; Nkunku

Maresca demands a reaction

17:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

You have to go back to September of last season under Mauricio Pochettino for the last time Chelsea went three league games without a win and Enzo Maresca is keen to avoid a repeat following a draw with Everton and a loss to Fulham.

“We never thought we were going to win every game but now we’ve lost,” Maresca said following the Fulham defeat. “We lost on August 18 [to Manchester City] and then, after two months [to Liverpool on October 20], then another two months, and we know the reality is that you don’t lose a game every two months.

“Now it’s just a matter of how we react and we go again.”

Read his full quotes here!

Ipswich vs Chelsea latest match odds

17:50 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Ipswich: 11/2

Draw: 3/1

Chelsea:1/3

Odds via Betfair (subject to change)

Setting the scene...

17:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

The calm before the storm at Portman Road with two hours until kick-off...

Ipswich vs Chelsea: Head to head (h2h) history and results

17:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Ipswich wins: 9

Draws: 10

Chelsea wins: 26

This is the first Premier League meeting between Ipswich and Chelsea since March 2002!

The Blues were a very different club back then and their last trip to Portman Road ended in a goalless draw.

Standard Sport Prediction

17:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

It’s these types of games where Chelsea can rotate and still prove far too much, and expect Cole Palmer to be pulling the strings again for what is expected to be an otherwise changed attacking line-up.

Chelsea to win, 3-0.

Chelsea team news

17:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Enzo Maresca has confirmed he will rotate his Chelsea side given the busy festive schedule.

As a result, Christopher Nkunku is in line to start, which would see Nicolas Jackson drop to the bench, while Joao Felix could get the nod ahead of Pedro Neto or Jadon Sancho.

It remains to be seen if Noni Madueke is in contention after being dropped from the matchday squad against Fulham.

Ipswich team news

17:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Ipswich have Sam Morsy available again after he served a suspension in the 1-0 defeat to Arsenal on Boxing Day.

However, Chiedozie Ogbene, Janoi Donacien, George Hirst and Axel Tuanzebe are all still sidelined.

How to follow Ipswich vs Chelsea

17:20 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

TV channel: The game will not be broadcast in the UK.

Read more on that right here!

LIVE coverage: You can follow all the action via Standard Sport’s live blog, featuring expert analysis from Malik Ouzia at the ground.

Welcome

16:19 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Good afternoon and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Ipswich vs Chelsea.

After suffering a shock defeat on Boxing Day at home to west London rivals Fulham, Chelsea will be looking to return to winning ways and end 2024 in style.

The Blues will be expected to claim all three points over an Ipswich side that has lost four of their last six games at home.

Kick-off at Portman Road is at 7.45pm GMT.

Stay tuned for all the build-up.