Jadon Sancho’s stunning late goal capped a second-half fightback as Chelsea recovered from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Ipswich at Stamford Bridge.
Enzo Maresca was facing surely the worst defeat of his tenure when Julio Enciso’s tap-in and Ben Johnson’s header put struggling Ipswich in sight of a famous win that would have kept alive their faint hopes of avoiding relegation from the Premier League.
Chelsea hit back and reduced the arrears in the first minute after half-time, Marc Cucurella’s presence at the near post forcing an own goal from Axel Tuanzebe, before Sancho sent relief around the ground by curling in his first goal since December.
🤌#CFC | #CHEIPS pic.twitter.com/g1XuwB91Oe
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 13, 2025
The Blues will still see the result as two points dropped in the race for Champions League qualification, however.
Nicolas Jackson struck a post in the eighth minute after being set up by Enzo Fernandez’s cut-back, then Noni Madueke brought a near-post save from Alex Palmer following Pedro Neto’s neat, deep cross.
Ipswich’s goalkeeper was alert to fling himself and get two hands on Levi Colwill’s close-range header as Chelsea piled on huge early pressure and the visitors struggled to draw breath.
And so it was from nowhere that Ipswich went in front.
Enciso had scored a stunning 30-yard effort on this ground for Brighton in April 2023 and, though this was a less spectacular finish, it lacked none of the impact.
George Hirst carried the ball forward and moved it wide for Johnson, whose low cross from the right was highly inviting, leaving Enciso simply to put out a foot and guide it past Robert Sanchez.
There was then the highly unusual sight of Sanchez shooing his defenders upfield at a goal-kick, bypassing Maresca’s preferred build-up play.
Sanchez hoofed it long and the ball came straight back at Chelsea, Jack Clarke driving on and finding Enciso, who crossed to the far post where Johnson was waiting to nod home.
The flag immediately went up against Enciso, but the new semi-automated offside system intervened and Ipswich were two up.
The boos that greeted Chelsea as they left the pitch at half-time were the biggest noise the home fans had mustered to that point, yet it was eclipsed 18 seconds into the second half when their team began their fightback.
Straight from kick-off Fernandez moved the ball wide on the right to Madueke, who ran it to the byline and pulled back for Cucurella arriving at the near post to shovel it against Tuanzebe and in.
Hirst then came within whisker of restoring the two-goal lead with a brilliant, swinging drive that flashed inches wide before moments later failing to make proper contact with a header when unmarked six yards out.
Sancho levelled 12 minutes from time to rescue Chelsea and his effort could not have landed much more perfectly in the top corner.
Trevoh Chalobah ought to have won it with a late header that he powered down into the ground and over the bar.
Cole Palmer was then denied by a full-stretch save from his namesake in the Ipswich goal in stoppage time.
Onana edges closer to exit as Man Utd move for Antwerp goalkeeper LammensAndre Onana has edged closer to the Manchester United exit door following positive talks over a €20m transfer for Antwerp stopper Senne Lammens.United chiefs have held talk with Royal Antwerp for Lammens, who is available at a snip for £17 million ($23m). The 23-year-old keeper recently made the step up to the seni...
Ruben Amorim Altay Bayindir Andre OnanaManchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has remained coy on whether Andre Onana will return to the starting XI against Fulham, with Altay Bayindir’s costly error in last weekend’s loss to Arsenal putting the spotlight firmly on the goalkeeping situation at Old Trafford. Onana is now fit and back in the Red Devils' squad, but Amorim refused to co...
Altay Bayindir's miscue against Arsenal brought renewed scrutiny on Manchester United's lack of new signings at goalkeeper. Michael Regan/Getty ImagesAs he walked into his first Friday news conference of the season, coach Ruben Amorim was keen to point out the upgrade Manchester United's Carrington training center has undergone over the summer. A designated media theater has been set up in the fir...
Could Arsenal make more signings and get Lyon's Malick Fofana before the end of the transfer window? (Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images)Lyon's Malick Fofana is on Arsenal's radar, while Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku is among Tottenham Hotspur's alternatives to Eberechi Eze. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumors and gossip from around the globe.Transfers homepage | Done deals |...
The transfer window is open across Europe, and business is starting to get done. What are ESPN's reporters hearing about possible deals?Every Friday until September, we'll bring you the latest updates and insights on the biggest transfer news.Transfers homepage | Done deals | Men's grades | Women's gradesAccording to sources at Manchester City they are. City don't want to lose Savinho, but if the ...
Chelsea reject Veiga makes 326M move to Villarreal in record deal for defenderRenato Veiga becomes Chelsea’s 11th first-team departure of the summer as he joins Villarreal for a fee rising to 326M.The 22-year-old defender joined The Blues from Basel last summer but made just one start in the Premier League before being loaned to Juventus for the second half of last season. He will now replac...
Barcelona coach Flick talks Casado, Fermin sales; best Rashford roleBarcelona coach Hansi Flick insists he's counting on Marc Casado and Fermin Lopez this season.Both players have been linked with big money sales this week, as midfielder Casado is a target for West Ham and Wolves, while Fermin is wanted by Manchester United.But Flick, ahead of Barca's trip to Levante this weekend, said of Casado: ...
Newcastle vs Liverpool: Predictions, best bets and odds (Premier League)Followers of the English Premier League enjoy one of the UK's most famous and exciting fixtures when Newcastle host Liverpool on Monday evening. With fans hoping for a high-scoring match, Flashscore's football betting writer Frank Monkhouse previews.This article contains affiliate links to advertisers. The analysis is our own....
Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce Plot €45m Bid for Man United’s AntonyJose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce are reportedly preparing a €45 million bid for Man United winger Antony. However, the Brazilian is said to prefer a return to Real Betis over a Super Lig switch.The 25-year-old seemingly has no future at Old Trafford and has been forced to train away from the first team as part ...
Tottenham Table Improved Bid for Man City Winger Savinho After Eberechi Eze SnubTottenham have reportedly readied an improved bid for Manchester City winger Savinho after missing out on Eberechi Eze to arch-rivals Arsenal.Thomas Frank’s side remain keen on signing new forward this summer following James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski’s injuries.Spurs had stolen a march on Eze, but Arsen...
- 1 Nantes vs PSG Prediction for 18 August 2025 - Football
- 2 TIPS - Cerezo Osaka VS Vissel Kobe
- 3 BVB, Monaco and Ajax go for unwanted West Ham midfielder Alvarez
- 4 ngland cricket legend’s granddaughter stuns in bikini
- 5 Lamela explains retirement decision: It started 11 years ago...
- 6 Estevao Willian set for 'key' Chelsea role after debut vs Palace
- 7 TIPS - Gwangju FC VS Daejeon Hana Citizen
- 8 Sevilla Set Price for Man United Target as Club Seek Baleba Alternatives
- 9 Man United Make Goalkeeper Decision Amid Onana and Bayindir Uncertainty
- 10 Daily Laugh - Sunderland top of the table