This was a harsh blow for Ipswich. Confidence must be waning after a series of setbacks and bitter experiences, such as Bournemouth's late equalizer by Enes Unal and Dango Ouattara's winning goal, especially since the latter came in the 95th minute. Perhaps the journey to reach the Premier League was the enjoyable part. There is still much suffering ahead, as Bournemouth faced the heat by dominating possession and opportunities in search of an equalizer to Conor Chaplin's first-half strike. Once they equalized, they did not relent. As Ipswich faltered after the equalizer, Bournemouth coolly, almost surgically, cut through them, and Ouattara silenced Portman Road, except for the corner packed with away fans.
The match was thrilling until the very end, further demonstrating that the provincial outposts of the Premier League in late 2024 boast players of immense talent and creativity. Ipswich and Bournemouth went at each other from the start, with caution thrown to the winds of Storm Darragh, playing high-risk football at breakneck speed. If Ipswich are to survive, they will have done it Kieran McKenna's way, but more pain may be on the horizon. A lack of game management cost them a significant victory, as well as their first home win of the season. Bournemouth, a smaller, less historic club known for taking down bigger opponents, is almost exactly what Ipswich aspires to be.
The match began with a clash in the opening seconds between Justin Kluivert and Sam Morsy, with the Bournemouth player seemingly pulling the Ipswich captain to the ground, setting the tone for a hard-fought encounter. The pace barely dropped from then on. In Milos Kerkez and Leif Davis, a wet Sunday in Suffolk provided the opportunity to see two of English football's emerging left-sided defenders, both of whom may attract the attention of elite clubs soon. The Hungarian was the first to make an impact, racing to the byline after a Kluivert pass. Marcus Tavernier's run towards what should have been an open goal was badly mistimed, perhaps the best of many chances that came and went.
Bournemouth initially looked the brighter team amid the gloomy weather conditions, but the home fans were lifted when Davis went on a trademark overlap. It was from the opposite flank, and a cross from Omari Hutchinson that Cameron Burgess nodded over Ipswich's first real chance. Their goal was not long in coming. When the ball dropped to Burgess from Davis' long throw, when most players' instinct would be to shoot, the center-back coolly laid it up for Chaplin to guide home. More might have swiftly followed. Kepa was called upon to save a deflected Jack Taylor shot. Next, Burgess headed in, only for Delap's second-row rugby-style jostling at a corner to be ruled illegal.
Andoni Iraola was then booked as the contest heated up further with Tavernier appearing to be upended in chasing down a loose ball in the Ipswich box. This time, VAR ruled in Ipswich's favour, but tempers were boiling in the stands and on the field. A breathless first half closed with Bournemouth pressing hard, pinning Ipswich in their own half but only able to create a series of half-chances. Such a pattern was repeated from the start of the second half, though repeated Hail Mary runs into enemy territory from Delap and Davis relieved the pressure on an Ipswich defence asked to make last-ditch tackles and interceptions as Bournemouth piled forward, with Ben Johnson dealing with the constant threat of Antoine Semenyo and Evanilson buzzing around.
Whether Bournemouth, whose better days have come via the counter, are comfortable being asked to pick through an opponent was the question being asked, and eventually answered. They stuck to the process and reaped their rewards. Sammie Szmodics, otherwise engaged in chasing down and clearing lines, then forced Kepa into a save, the rebound agonisingly diverting beyond Delap. The center-forward next laid on another chance for the Irishman, this time blocked. Iraola removed the disappointing Evanilson and Tavernier, with the craft of David Brooks and the muscle of Philip Billing. Semenyo, having moved left, forced a scrabbling save from Arijanet Muric.
Chaplin scooped wide when his second goal beckoned, while Burgess, at that point headed for man of the match status, read Semenyo's mind when the winger had broken free. The home support surged with belief, anxiety, and triumph whenever a Bournemouth attack broke down. But then came disaster and pessimism. Muric's rush of blood towards Semenyo opened up the goal, Burgess couldn't clear the ball, and Unal, the substitute, was on hand. As full time sounded after the further felling blow, McKenna stood still. The applause that followed him down the tunnel showed he retains home support even in the eye of such bitter, cruel disappointment.
Source link: https://www.theguardian.com
