Ipswich Town celebrated a significant milestone in their Premier League journey on Sunday, clinching their first win of the season with a gritty 2-1 triumph over Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
First-half strikes from Sammie Szmodics and Liam Delap set the stage for Ipswich’s memorable victory, a win that lifted them out of the relegation zone for the first time this season.
The newly-promoted team, undaunted by the challenge, immediately took the game to Spurs.
Ipswich’s attacking intent was clear as early as the ninth minute when defender Cameron Burgess, rising highest from a Leif Davis corner, powered a header against the crossbar.
This early effort came after sustained pressure that had Tottenham reeling and showcased the visitors’ confidence against a side that had been touted as potential contenders.
Under the tactical guidance of manager Kieran McKenna, Ipswich broke the deadlock just after the half-hour mark.
Sammie Szmodics, left unguarded, seized the moment with a breathtaking overhead kick after Spurs defender Cristian Romero’s misjudged header, sending Ipswich fans into a frenzy.
Among the elated supporters was pop star Ed Sheeran, a die-hard Ipswich fan, who was visibly thrilled in the stands.
Ipswich doubled their lead just before the halftime whistle, with Delap slotting in after Tottenham’s keeper Guglielmo Vicario failed to fully deal with a low cross from Szmodics.
The chance had been created by Omari Hutchinson, who intercepted the ball in midfield and sprinted forward, setting the play in motion.
The goal gave Ipswich a commanding advantage and injected further belief into the squad as they headed into the break.
Reflecting on their strategy, Szmodics noted, “We knew we had to start fast. It’s a tough place to come. We deserved the goals in the first half.” His words captured the gritty determination Ipswich displayed from kickoff.
Tottenham, under the direction of manager Ange Postecoglou, attempted a resurgence in the second half.
Captain Son Heung-min came close to pulling one back, his curling shot only thwarted by a stunning save from Ipswich goalkeeper Arijanet Muric, who acrobatically tipped the ball over the crossbar.
Spurs thought they had finally gotten on the scoreboard when Dominic Solanke found the net, but VAR intervened to disallow the goal due to an unintentional handball.
Tottenham’s frustration grew as Solanke and Son later missed additional chances, firing high over the bar.
The hosts’ persistence paid off in the 69th minute when Rodrigo Bentancur headed in a well-placed Pedro Porro corner, narrowing Ipswich’s lead to a single goal.
Despite late efforts by Postecoglou, who introduced Yves Bissouma and James Maddison in hopes of sparking a comeback, Ipswich’s resolute defense held firm.
McKenna’s tactical organization and his team’s commitment secured Ipswich’s first Premier League win in over two decades, ending a run of five draws and five defeats since their top-flight return.
“We’ve put in so many great performances and just lacked that final bit. The performance was terrific. We couldn’t be happier,” Delap reflected after the final whistle, underscoring Ipswich’s joy in achieving this milestone.
The defeat left the Tottenham fans visibly disappointed, with boos echoing around the stadium as the match concluded.
The result pushed Ipswich to 17th place on eight points, nudging them out of the relegation spots.
Meanwhile, Tottenham’s inconsistent form saw them fall to 10th with 16 points, far from their early-season aspirations.
“It means so much,” Delap emphasized. Postecoglou admitted his disappointment, summarizing Spurs’ performance as a steep “mountain to climb.” Reflecting on their efforts, he added, “Second half we had chances but didn’t do enough to win the game.”
Ipswich’s breakthrough win marked an inspiring chapter in their comeback story, ending a Premier League victory drought dating back to April 2002.
