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Town struggle to impose themselves in six-pointer - player ratings from Palace defeat

Ipswich Town were unable to avoid defeat in their relegation six-pointer against Crystal Palace _(Image: Stephen Waller)_

Ipswich Town fell to their seventh defeat of the Premier League season as they were beaten 1-0 by Crystal Palace at Portman Road. **Alex Jones** provides his player ratings.

**Arijanet Muric**

A couple of moments where he was caught in two minds about whether or not to come for the ball. Distribution continues to improve and there was nothing he could've done about the goal. **6**

**Harry Clarke**

Caught a bit high for the goal but tried to make up with it for a last-ditch tackle on Jean-Philippe Mateta, which wasn't enough in the end. Looked fine other than that, with some really nice passes. **6**

**Dara O'Shea**

Battled hard and took a cut to his head. Palace didn't do a great deal to test him but he largely stood up to the challenge when they did. Showed his excellent passing range. **7 (Man of the Match)**

Jacob Greaves played his first minutes since picking up a hamstring injury _(Image: Ross Halls)_

**Jacob Greaves**

Looked fine for most of the match, but was shoved off the ball far too easily by Mateta. He needed to be stronger in that moment, but did win the most duels in the match. **6**

**Leif Davis**

Did what he could to create plenty of chances for Ipswich, but they didn't have the end product to finish them off. **6**

**Sam Morsy**

Not his usual combative self. Didn't enjoy much time on the ball and was nullified by Palace's midfielders. **5**

Jens Cajuste put in another impressive display for the Blues _(Image: Ross Halls)_

**Jens Cajuste**

Kept Ipswich ticking in midfield. Some nice movement on and off the ball. One of the better players on the pitch. **7**

**Wes Burns**

Got into some good areas but struggled in one-v-one battles against Tyrick Mitchell and his crosses were inconsistent. **5**

**Omari Hutchinson**

Lively in bursts but nothing fell for him. Couldn't quite figure out how to get at Palace. **5**

**Jack Clarke**

The odd flash of real quality when driving forward, but not enough. Lost the ball too often in the final third. **5**

Liam Delap had limited service in the final third _(Image: Ross Halls)_

**Liam Delap**

Struggled against Palace's towering centre-backs. Looked a little isolated at times and forced to battle them by himself. Tried hard and ran himself into the ground, as he always does. **6**

**Sub: Conor Chaplin (66')**

Almost created a goal from a set piece but didn't settle into the game from open play. **5**

**Sub: Jack Taylor (66')**

Didn't have much of an impact but slotted in well for Cajuste. **6**

**Sub: Nathan Broadhead (66')**

Showing why he deserves more minutes. Quite a few dangerous, driving runs. Could've scored a tap in late on but the ball bounced awkardly. **6**

**Sub: Ali Al-Hamadi (79')**

Given his injury issues and how limited his minutes have been, this was a strong cameo. Battled hard, beat opponents, looked much sharper than he did against Manchester United. **6**

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