Cameron Burgess and Dara O'Shea were both rock-solid in the 2-1 win at AFC Bournemouth.Cameron Burgess and Dara O'Shea were both rock-solid in the 2-1 win at AFC Bournemouth. (Image: Ross Halls)
STANDING STRONG
As we all know very well by now, a lot of things have to go right for Ipswich Town to win a Premier League game. This was a long overdue evening were everything came together.
Let's start with the thing that I liked most - a superb defensive display.
The Blues were brave, resilient, organised and focused in their own third.
Dara O'Shea was immense at the heart of a back three. He made a crucial goal line clearance at 0-0 and made countless tackles, blocks and clearances.
Ben Johnson ran himself into the ground at right wing-back. Backed up by the fit-again Axel Tuanzebe, those two's combined athleticism and aggression shut down the threat of Bournemouth's left-sided danger duo of Milos Kerkez and Antoine Semenyo.
Then you had Cameron Burgess and Conor Townsend at left-sided centre-back and left-back respectively. Those two are no nonsense and ultra reliable.
Behind them all was the calming presence of keeper Alex Palmer.
Bournemouth had 24 shots, but half of them came from outside the area. They were limited to very few clear cut chances.
Having given away some very poor goals in the 4-2 home defeat to Nottingham Forest, this was a major improvement.
Nathan Broadhead celebrates after scoring his first ever Premier League goal.Nathan Broadhead celebrates after scoring his first ever Premier League goal. (Image: PA)
BROADHEAD BAGS
Things may have turned out differently in this match had Bournemouth punished a playing out from the back error in the 33rd minute.
Thankfully, after Sam Morsy was dispossessed in his own box, O'Shea was there to clear Alex Scott's shot off the line. Palmer beat an angled Scott shot around the post seconds later, Ipswich repelled the subsequent corner and, moments later, they broke the deadlock.
After some smart link play by Liam Delap came a driving run and well-weighted pass from Julio Enciso. Then Nathan Broadhead, playing as the right-sided No.10, produced a cool chop back and finish through the keeper's legs.
"I'm delighted for him," said Kieran McKenna, when asked about the Welshman scoring his first ever Premier League goal.
"He’s really good in front of goal and we spoke about that with him yesterday."
Liam Delap blasts Ipswich into a 2-0 lead.Liam Delap blasts Ipswich into a 2-0 lead. (Image: PA)
KILLER SECOND
In the reverse fixture against Bournemouth last December, Town were made to rue not adding a killer second goal. It wasn't the only occasion this season that was the case.
This time, however, they were able to strike again - and what a goal it was.
It's a move that starts from the keeper. Jens Cajuste produces a raking pass from deep. Delap, again, makes it stick, finds a team-mate and then immediately gets on the move. Townsend, on the overlap, expertly threads a cut-back into the heart of the box. Delap, foot like a traction engine, almost broke the back of the net with his strike.
That's 11 goals for the season for the England U21 striker. More importantly, this was a much more selfless and mature display.
“I thought his performance tonight was better than in recent weeks," agreed McKenna. "He’s a fantastic talent, there’s no doubt about that.
"His versatility and his array of strengths is huge and to do what he’s done already in this league probably takes him past the stage of just being a talent. He’s already producing.
“But there’s loads more to come from Liam. We’re enjoying working with him and he’s enjoying being here. He knows this is a great place for him to be at the moment."
O'Shea thumped an unmarked header at a corner just wide of the post later in this game. Had that gone in then Ipswich would have been the first team to score three goals at the Vitality Stadium all season.
For context, the Cherries had conceded just 12 goals in 14 home league games before last night.
VAR HELPS!
The use (or non use) of VAR, more often than not, hasn't been Ipswich's friend this season. Incidents against Man City, Everton, Brentford and Leicester all spring to mind.
On this occasion, however, it came to the Blues' aid.
Three minutes after Town had gone 2-0 up, Bournemouth were awarded a penalty after a fairly innocuous coming together between Tuanzebe and Semenyo down the side of the box.
Not only was the contact minimal, but it clearly happened outside the area. It didn't take long for those at Stockley Park to advise the award of a free-kick instead.
Broadhead was just onside for the opener, but it was tight. The VAR decision was right, but there have been plenty of times when the officials collectively mess things like that up.
Thankfully, this was a night where the big calls where correctly made in Town's favour.
TIMELY BOOST
At last, Town have their first league win of 2025.
Just 24 hours earlier, after Wolves had beaten West Ham to open up a 12 point gap, it seemed for all the world like we were set for a damp squib end to the campaign.
Now, however, there's some renewed energy and an added edge to Saturday's home clash against the West Midlands side.
Can back-to-back wins be secured for the first time this season? Do that and the margin to safety would be down to six...
That said, goal difference effectively adds another point. And, let's not forget, Ipswich have games against Chelsea, Arsenal and Newcastle coming up.
Just don't go down with a whimper. Fight to the end. That's all we can ask. Last night was a good start. More of that please lads.