Kieran McKenna toasted a “special” first Premier League win for Ipswich in 22 years following a superb 2-1 victory at Tottenham, joking the pink kit designed by watching shareholder Ed Sheeran must have brought his team luck.
Singer-songwriter Sheeran was present to watch his boyhood club win in the top flight at the 11th attempt this season after first-half goals by Sammie Szmodics and Liam Delap.
Rodrigo Bentancur reduced the deficit for Spurs with 69 minutes played, but they could not muster a grand finale as Ipswich, wearing the pink third kit designed by lifelong supporter Sheeran, defended resolutely to ensure it was a day to savour for their fans.
“It’s a really significant moment and a day to cherish in the recent history of the football club,” McKenna said, before revealing Sheeran visited the dressing room after the match.
“You look at the journey the club has been on in the last 22 years, the ups and downs, some heights but some of the depths as well… I think for the supporters to see their club win in the Premier League at a club like Tottenham, a fantastic club in a stadium like this against a team like that, is a massive day for them.
“For us who have been involved in the journey for the last couple of years, it’s a really significant day as well.”
On Sheeran, McKenna said: “Yeah, he popped in and it was nice to see him. He congratulated the boys and we had his designed kit on, so maybe it brought us a bit of luck!
“And everyone knows he’s been an important part of the club in the last few years with the support he gives us, so nice for him to be here.”
Before Ipswich went ahead in the 31st minute, Szmodics had been denied and Dara O’Shea and Cameron Burgess had gone close with headed chances from corners.
The breakthrough arrived when Jens Cajuste’s cross was sent up in the air and Szmodics was first to react with a fine overhead-kick from close range.
It was 2-0 just before half-time when Szmodics was played in and his cross managed to find its way to Delap to fire home on the line after poor Tottenham defending.
Bentancur pulled one back for the hosts, after VAR had ruled out Dominic Solanke’s close-range effort at the start of the second half for handball, but Arijanet Muric was only required to block from Solanke late on as Ipswich claimed a long-awaited Premier League win.
It carried extra significance for McKenna, who spent 14 years at Tottenham as both player and coach after he first moved to England in 2002.
"A brilliant day for the Football Club. I''m so proud to be part of it."
The Manager''s thoughts following three points at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.#TOTIPS
— IPSWICH TOWN (@IpswichTown) November 10, 2024
McKenna added: “I come to this club as a 14-year-old, I left home and I never went back. So, yeah it’s nice to do it here, there is no doubt about that.
“My father was in the crowd and lots of people will be very proud.
“It’s nice to do it here, a club where I have got a great affinity for but also it’s good to do it against a really good team.
“Tottenham are a fantastic team, playing really well at home, amazing atmosphere in the stadium so to come here and do it, it is more special for everyone.”
Spurs could have moved into the top four with victory, but are 10th.
“We gave ourselves too much of a deficit to try to overcome,” head coach Ange Postecoglou said.
“That’s my responsibility. The inconsistency we’re having this year, ultimately it comes down to me and my approach and something I need to try and fix and see if I can help the players in that area.”
Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor commended his players for how they dealt with the “physical challenge” of Hammarby following the 2-0 Champions League victory over the Swedish outfit at the Joie Stadium.After a first half in which City had lots of the ball but registered few attempts, they took the lead two minutes into the second via Laura Blindkilde Brown’s finish.Aoba Fujino...
Manchester City made it three wins from as many games in Champions League Group D as they saw off Swedish side Hammarby 2-0 at the Joie Stadium.Laura Blindkilde Brown put City ahead two minutes into the second half, shortly after a strike against a post from Aoba Fujino, who then saw a shot clip the crossbar.Fujino subsequently got on the scoresheet to wrap up victory for Gareth Taylor’s sid...
Arsenal’s interim head coach Renee Slegers insists no-one is getting carried away after their 4-0 Women’s Champions League win against Juventus in Turin.The former assistant to Jonas Eidevall, who resigned on the eve of their previous European fixture, has now overseen four wins and a draw in just under a month.They have scored nine goals in their last two matches, which seems a world ...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. HE CAME. DID HIS JOB AND LEFT LIKE A TRUE LEGEND! Cristiano Ronaldo: "I can't wait to see what my legs have to offer me in the next few years." Cristiano Ronaldo & Lionel Messi shared similar photos on their IG, reporting for national duty. MLS How are Man United just 4 points off title contenders Arsenal despite having a terrible season and sacking thei...
Man City star Erling Haaland tipped to win a Ballon d'Or. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)The opening phase of the 2024/25 campaign has not gone to plan for Man City but one occasion that was celebrated by the Premier League champions was Rodri being crowned as the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner – an award Erling Haaland has now been tipped to win.The Spaniard pipped Real MadridR...
Tottenham reportedly considering making a move for Manchester City’s winger Jack Grealish as a marquee signing in the next summer transfer window.According to Football Insider, Spurs are closely monitoring Grealish amid growing speculation surrounding his future at City.Since his high-profile transfer from Aston Villa in 2021 for a record-breaking fee of £100 million, Grealish’s t...
Neymar has broken his silence amid speculation Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal could terminate his contract after his latest injury setback.Neymar speaks out after being ruled out againFuture at Al-Hilal currently uncertainBrazilian's contract expires at end of seasonWHAT HAPPENED?Neymar's future has been in the spotlight after the Brazilian superstar was sidelined for up to six weeks after sufferi...
Malacia is back! Man Utd star makes return from injury nightmareManchester United defender Tyrell Malacia made his first appearance for 17 months on Tuesday with the Under-2s against Huddersfield in the EFL Trophy.Arsenal and Liverpool show interest in Frankfurt’s LarssonArsenal and Liverpool are reportedly interested in Eintracht Frankfurt’s 20-year-old midfielder Hugo Larsson, accord...
Liverpool can't control everything - such as refereeing and the opinions of the Premier League officials - but Arne Slot's side are doing everything within their power to flourish this season.Jurgen Klopp's era is no more. Many of those who are not of a Liverpool persuasion will have been cavorting over the German's decision to step down after nine illustrious years, but Liverpool have only gone f...
Real Madrid have reportedly received a boost in their pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Jonathan Tah after his agent said that the defender will join a big club in the summer.The 28-year-old enjoyed an invincible season under the management of Xabi Alonso in 2023-24, snatching the league crown from Bayern Munich and becoming the first Bundesliga team to go unbeaten across an entire domestic ...
- 1 Kieran Trippier was seen with a group of party girls in a Newcastle bar
- 2 Hot singer can watch Premier League football games from her flat
- 3 Daily Laugh - Chelsea 8-0 Noah
- 4 Barnet draw a blank against Oldham
- 5 Viktor Johansson stars as Stoke win at Blackburn
- 6 We never let them breathe – Grant McCann delight at Rovers’ second-half response
- 7 Graham Alexander rues first-half display as Bradford pay penalty at Fleetwood
- 8 Japhet Tanganga secures Millwall’s fourth straight win as Leeds slip up
- 9 Paul Warne: Derby’s first away win of the season no big deal
- 10 Hearts’ unbeaten Conference League run comes to end after defeat to Heidenheim