A first-half goal from Liam Delap was enough to earn Ipswich their first Premier League point of the season, but they had to share the spoils in a 1-1 home draw with Fulham after winger Adama Traore grabbed an equaliser.
Roared on by an enthusiastic home crowd, Delap put Ipswich ahead in the 15th minute, drifting across the box before lashing in a powerful shot that Fulham keeper Bernd Leno got his gloves to but could not keep out.
The visitors levelled 17 minutes later after Antonee Robinson whipped the ball across the box and Traore stabbed it home with a superb first-time finish to crown Fulham’s best attack of the game.
Both sides struggled to create decent goal-scoring chances in a tough, physical game, and though Omari Hutchinson went close with a stoppage-time shot, neither could find the net again as the game ended in a draw.
Ipswich Town vs Fulham
The spoils are shared at Portman Road, where it finishes 1-1 and Ipswich Town collect their first point since achieving promotion back to the Premier League. While Fulham enjoyed plenty of possession for most of the first half, they went behind to an early Delap goal of real quality; the visitors bit back, though, as Traore converted a cross from close range to level matters before half-time. Ipswich grew more confident as the game progressed and might even have snatched maximum points, but they are at least off the mark in their comeback campaign. As Fulham’s xG was 1.03 to their hosts’ final figure of 0.48, Marco Silva might be frustrated not to secure another win. While Ipswich are away to Brighton in two weeks time, the Cottagers host London rivals West Ham in their first game back after the international break. That’s all for today’s live coverage, so thank you for joining us and goodbye!
Ipswich Town vs Fulham
FULL-TIME: IPSWICH TOWN 1-1 FULHAM
Ipswich Town vs Fulham
SHARP STOP! Leno dives down low to deny Hutchinson! The Ipswich forward fires in a fine strike after driving inside from the right, but Fulham’s goalkeeper is equal to it! It stays 1-1 at Portman Road!
Ipswich Town vs Fulham
Al-Hamadi combines with fellow substitute Clarke, laying the ball back from the right byline for his teammate to shoot. However, Clarke’s shot is blocked by a defender and spins behind for a corner-kick.
Ipswich Town vs Fulham
Yellow Card Ali Ibrahim Karim Al-Hamadi
Ipswich Town vs Fulham
There are to be at least five added minutes at the end of this second half, and the result remains in the balance. It really feels like it could go either way.
Ipswich Town vs Fulham
Getting the fans off their feet, Clarke picks up a pass on the left, beats his marker and opens up space, but he then shoots well wide of the right-hand post. It was well struck but lacked sufficient swerve.
Ipswich Town vs Fulham
Reed will replace Lukic in central midfield.
Ipswich Town vs Fulham
Marco Silva plays his remaining cards: first, Iwobi is replaced by Wilson on the wing.
Ipswich Town vs Fulham
Substitution Chiedozie Somkelechukwu Ogbene Conor Mark Chaplin