CHELSEA made it back-to-back losses as they slumped to an awful 2-0 defeat at Ipswich this evening.
Enzo Maresca‘s side went into the match hoping to bounce back from their 2-1 home loss to Fulham on Boxing Day.
They would have fancied their chances, with the Tractor Boys having gone into the match still searching for their first home win of the season.
But Liam Delap‘s controversial 12th minute penalty gave the hosts a surprise lead, before Chelsea old-boy Omari Hutchinson haunted his old side to double Ipswich’s advantage.
On a night to forget for the Blues, SunSport’s Jordan Davies rates and slates each performer.
His first bit of action was a clumsy trailing leg to catch Delap and give away a needless penalty.
Followed it up with a few decent stops to deny the forward anything else, but the damage was already done.
Offered very little until a fine pass early in the second half to put Madueke through.
But that was then overshadowed by a woeful piece of defending to give the hosts a second goal, first with a stray pass to Delap and then giving Hutchinson the freedom of Ipswich to slot home.
Struggled to deal with Delap, physically and for pace. Looked terrified to press him. Lumbered about for most of the game.
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Looks so much better with a proper defensive partner, unlike here.
Not his best game, but not his worst.
Nervy clearance off Hutchinson almost gave Delap a second inside 15 minutes and caught out of position plenty when Ipswich countered.
Poor in attacking areas.
A real mixed bag.
Picked up some good pockets of space but out-muscled on occasion.
Blazed over a glorious chance from the edge of the box off his left peg.
Controlled the game well from deep at times.
Involved in everything good with Chelsea, taking on defenders and unlucky not to grab a first half goal.
Linked up well with Palmer and Enzo.
A joy to watch. His cleverly-disguised free-kick smacked the post and his cross for Joao Felix at the far post to score from was delightful, only to be called back for offside.
He was then denied a curling beauty by a worldie save. Did not deserve to be on the losing side. Best player on the pitch by a mile.
Perhaps a harsh one but should have stayed onside before tapping in Palmer’s brilliant cross to level the scores.
Had a header cleared off the line just after the break.
An anonymous first half was followed up by more anonymity in the second before being hauled off just after the hour mark.
Feels like he has wasted a huge chance given to him by Maresca to prove he can be the difference maker.
Nicolas Jackson (for Felix, 55) – 6
Missed a blatant one v one, spared blushes by a delayed offside flag.
Jadon Sancho – (for Nkunku, 65) – 6
Did very little, but the game was pretty much done by the time he came on.
Malo Gusto (for Disasi, 77) – 6
Came on just so Disasi could make way, it seems. Made his presence known by getting into a late scrap with Davis.
Pedro Neto (for Madueke, 77) – 5
Brought some zip, but let himself down by going down soft holding his face from a Kalvin Phillips ‘challenge’.
