Chelsea 2-2 Ipswich: Blues display resilience as Champions League hopes stay within the stability
In December, there was a second when appeared poised to turn into title challengers, however that now appears like a distant reminiscence as they compete for Champions League qualification following a 2-2 draw with this afternoon.
To the dismay of Blues supporters, even throughout that earlier constructive stretch, head coach Enzo Maresca—Chelsea’s seventh everlasting supervisor in six years and the fourth beneath Clearlake Capital’s transient, two-year possession—dismissed the thought of the Blues succeeding Manchester Metropolis as Premier League champions. That pessimistic assertion has now come again to hang-out them.
At one level, Chelsea loved a five-game successful streak as a part of an eight-match unbeaten run (six wins and two attracts), which positioned them second, simply three factors behind leaders Liverpool after 16 matches. No staff in England’s high division had outscored their 37 objectives whereas boasting the very best anticipated objectives (xG) at 34.8.
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Nevertheless, their kind deteriorated shortly, resulting in a five-game winless streak (three attracts and two losses), together with a defeat at Portman Highway in opposition to Ipswich. They managed to win 5 of their subsequent ten matches (4 losses and one draw) main as much as this weekend’s return fixture in opposition to the relegation-threatened Tractor Boys.
Latest efforts depart Chelsea in fifth place, which is adequate for Champions League qualification, however with seven golf equipment realistically competing for 3 spots, they could simply miss out.
Chelsea’s sudden wrestle in entrance of purpose is a urgent problem needing fast consideration. Beforehand, they dominated opponents and scored at will, however since matchday 17, one thing has gone awry. Solely 5 sides have scored fewer objectives within the competitors than Chelsea (19) since December twenty first. Solely Leicester (4.29%) has a decrease shot conversion price, excluding blocks (10.44%), and Maresca wants to deal with it.
Earlier than right this moment, Chelsea had achieved three consecutive clear sheets at Stamford Bridge, their greatest such run since April–Might 2024. Nevertheless, that streak was damaged when Ipswich’s on-loan Brighton ahead, Julio Enciso, scored within the nineteenth minute. Ben Johnson then doubled Ipswich’s lead simply after the half-hour mark.
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Axel Tuanzebe pressured the ball into his personal internet, following Marc Cucurella’s close-range shot, instantly after the break, giving Chelsea a lifeline. Coming off the bench, Jadon Sancho drew the edges stage 11 minutes from time, resulting in a grandstand end, however the factors could be shared. This was solely the twelfth time Chelsea trailed by 2+ objectives at half-time of a Premier League sport at Stamford Bridge, however solely the second time they prevented defeat in such a match, additionally drawing 2-2 with Tottenham in Might 2016.
At present in opposition to Ipswich, they registered 34 photographs on purpose—greater than double their season common of 15.9 within the Premier League—however solely managed 9 on track (two objectives), with a 2.14 xG rating highlighting their inefficiency. Complicating issues additional, their Most worthy participant and key determine, Cole Palmer, has gone quiet. He’s not scored in ten consecutive league appearances, though he has supplied three assists throughout this time. Within the ten matches prior, Palmer discovered the web seven instances.
He did present the help for Sancho’s equaliser, however it appears like one other disappointing efficiency, with expectations surrounding the 22-year-old playmaker being lofty. Palmer’s contributions imply Chelsea have now picked up 14 factors after falling behind in 16 matches. As for Ipswich, who have been in search of a second league double over the Blues, beforehand doing so within the 1978-79 top-flight marketing campaign, they’ve misplaced 27 factors from successful positions this season, greater than another staff.
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