Jadon Sancho curled in a spectacular equaliser as Chelsea narrowly avoided a humiliating defeat to relegation-bound Ipswich Town at Stamford Bridge. The home crowd booed Sancho’s introduction from the bench but he proved his class by finding the top corner on a day when Chelsea desperately needed a big second-half performance.
Goals from Julio Enciso and Ben Johnson had put the Tractor Boys in control by the interval. But the momentum shifted in the second period, as Axel Tuanzebe’s own goal within 20 seconds of the restart was followed by Sancho popping up in the 79th minute. A point for the hosts moves them up to fifth in the Premier League table, with Newcastle United playing later in the day. Here, Express Sport takes you through how each Chelsea player performed…
Chelsea player ratings vs Ipswich (4-2-3-1)
Robert Sanchez: 5
Unconvincing with his distribution, as has often been the case in his Chelsea career. Couldn’t have done much about either goal.
Trevoh Chalobah: 6
Didn’t look particularly at home as a right-back and was shifted back into the middle in a half-time reshuffle, where he looked more comfortable.
Tosin Adarabioyo: 5 (Gusto, 46)
Didn’t cover himself in glory for the first Ipswich goal and was sacrificed by Enzo Maresca at half-time.
Levi Colwill: 4
Lost track of Enciso at the front post for Ipswich’s opener, which was unforgivably lax for a player of his standing. Should have been an easy interception but it cost Chelsea.
Marc Cucurella: 4
Didn’t do enough to stop the Johnson cross which led to Enciso’s tap-in. Then lost Johnson at the back post when he headed in Ipswich’s second. Played a minor role in Chelsea’s goal but the decisive touch was from Tuanzebe.
Enzo Fernandez: 7
A few nice passes, set up a good first-half chance for Nicolas Jackson and tried to drag Chelsea forward in the second half.
Moises Caicedo: 5
Looked leggy and didn’t offer a huge amount going in either direction.
Noni Madueke: 7 (Sancho, 68)
Had the most bite of any Chelsea attacker. Electric run and cross which led to the Tuanzebe own goal. Crowd voiced their disapproval when Madueke was replaced by Sancho.
Cole Palmer: 5 (booked)
This is the kind of game Chelsea need him to impact, and he wasn’t up to scratch. Guilty of holding onto the ball for too long, losing possession unnecessarily and making poor decisions. Did get the assist for Sancho’s goal but it was only a simple short pass.
Pedro Neto: 5
A one-dimensional performance out wide. Ineffective with his crossing and one-on-one dribbling. A frustrating watch.
Nicolas Jackson: 5 (booked) (Nkunku, 87)
Kept under wraps by the Ipswich defence and hit the post with his best chance from inside the six-yard box.
SUBS
Malo Gusto: 5
A bit of a messy cameo and completely fluffed a free-kick routine.
Jadon Sancho: 8
The crowd booed him coming on for Madueke but how he proved them wrong. Made things happen straight away. His low cross from the left could easily have been tapped in. And then came his stunning curler from the edge of the box.
Christopher Nkunku: N/A
A late addition.