Ipswich finally up and running under Paul Hurst

Posted Sunday, October 07, 2018 by PA

Ipswich secured their first win of the Championship season and a first in charge for Paul Hurst as Trevoh Chalobah’s’ 84th-minute header saw them edge Swansea 3-2 in a thrilling game at the Liberty Stadium.

The Tractor Boys fell behind to a Janoi Donacien own goal, but they made the most of Swansea’s lapses in concentration at the back to take a surprise half-time lead.

Gwion Edwards got the first and then his cross was deflected in by Mike Van der Hoorn.

Swansea dominated the second half and equalised when Bersant Celina finished off a length-of-the-field move, but there was still time for Ipswich to steal the spoils.

Chalobah headed home Grant Ward’s corner, but Kristoffer Nordfeldt could have done better.

Straight from the kick-off Chalobah’s long ball was charged down by George Byers, Daniel James forcing Dean Gerken into a smart save with just 19 seconds on the clock.

At the other end Freddie Sears ran through on goal before Joe Rodon recovered with a sliding block, but it took just nine minutes for the home side to take the lead.

James skinned Toto Nsiala and although his cross just missed Oli McBurnie, Connor Roberts fired the ball back in and Donacien deflected past his own goalkeeper.

Swansea were passing Ipswich to death with James causing carnage down the left wing. He bypassed Matthew Pennington time and again, creating chances for McBurnie and Celina.

Neither were taken and with their first real opportunity, Ipswich then equalised.

Sears found space down the left after Swansea failed to deal with a long ball and his cross was headed home by Welshman Edwards.

The goal came completely against the run of play and after linking up for Ipswich’s first, Edwards and Sears then joined forces again for a second away goal.

This time it was Edwards with the cross and Sears with the headed finish which deflected off Van der Hoorn for another own goal.

McBurnie came close to an instant Swansea equaliser after an exquisite turn, but his shot was saved brilliantly by Dean Gerken.

Graham Potter replaced Kyle Naughton with Joel Asoro at the break, Roberts moving to right back in a bid for greater security. For Ipswich, Donacien was substituted in favour of Jonas Knudsen.

Asoro appealed for handball and a penalty early in the second half as Swansea started well, Rodon rattling the bar with a header from a Celina corner.

Swansea dominated the ball, but the tempo dropped out of their play and an air of frustration built around the Liberty. Grant Ward fired wide from 30 yards for Ipswich but then another mazy run and cross from James somehow eluded McBurnie.

Potter threw on Leroy Fer and then swapped centre-half Van der Hoorn for winger Barrie McKay as he went for broke in search of a way back into the game.

He got his rewards when Celina found the net against his former club, but more poor defending allowed Chalobah to strike the winner.