Ipswich Town fell to a 3-1 defeat at home to West Ham in their final game of the Premier League season (Image: Ross Halls)
Ipswich Town fell to a 3-1 defeat at home to West Ham in their final game of the Premier League season (Image: Ross Halls)
Ipswich Town fell to a 3-1 defeat against West Ham United at Portman Road, ending their Premier League campaign without a home win in 2025.
The Blues fell behind following a mistake from Sam Morsy, but they responded through Nathan Broadhead before the Hammers killed off the game, with Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus both on the scoresheet.
There was a late change to Town’s starting lineup, which came after manager Kieran McKenna revealed that there was a sickness bug in his squad. Goalkeeper Alex Palmer was taken ill in the warm-up, with Christian Walton replacing him.
Christian Walton made his first start for Ipswich since January 25th
Christian Walton made his first start for Ipswich since January 25th
(Image: Ross Halls)
The first chance of the match went West Ham’s way. Niclas Fullkrug’s backheel saw Bowen pick up the ball on the edge of the area, weaving inside before being closed down, rolling a tame shot wide of the post.
Axel Tuanzebe almost played Walton straight into trouble in the sixth minute as Bowen collected a goal kick and ran down the right. His low cross was too far ahead of Tomas Soucek, but Tuanzebe inexplicably played the ball the ball back to the goalkeeper at close range rather than clearing it, forcing him to kick it away awkwardly.
Town launched a quick counter in the 12th minute as Nathan Broadhead picked up the ball and nutmegged Jean-Clair Todibo before slipping over. He recovered, playing Omari Hutchinson in down the right, where he fired a shot straight into Lukasz Fabianski’s gloves.
Town had the better chances in the first half of the game
Town had the better chances in the first half of the game
(Image: Steve Waller)
Town began to turn the screw, with Leif Davis cutting back down the left flank to play the ball to Broadhead. He took aim in the 25th minute, forcing Fabianski to deny his curling effort. Maintaining pressure, Ipswich came again just a few second later, with Morsy firing past the post from the edge of the box.
West Ham made it more of a scrap in the latter stages of the second half. Ward-Prowse kicked out at Jens Cajuste after a tackle, with referee Tim Robinson – who infamously officiated the 1-1 draw against Leicester City back in November – gave a free-kick to the visitors. Defender Maximilian Kilman was then booked for elbowing George Hirst in the back of the head while challenging for the ball.
The Hammers did have a golden opportunity in the 39th minute as Ward-Prowse and Bowen played a one-two, allowing the latter to test Walton with a shot from outside the box. He made the save before gathering the ball as Ward-Prowse challenged for the rebound.
Sam Morsy's poor pass gifted West Ham the lead
Sam Morsy's poor pass gifted West Ham the lead (Image: Steve Waller)
A minute later, Town hit the post as Dara O’Shea looped a gorgeous pass up the line, sending Hutchinson away. He breezed past Ollie Scarles before firing against the woodwork, although the flag was raised for offside.
West Ham had struggled to create much, and Ipswich undoubtedly had the better of the first half, but they were still able to gift their opponents an advantage before the interval. Morsy gathered Tuanzebe’s throw in and turned towards his own goal, playing a poor back pass that Bowen gathered, squaring to Ward-Prowse to open the scoring in the 43rd minute.
The second half had a tepid beginning, but Ipswich brought it to life in the 52nd minute. Cajuste carried the ball forward, spotting Broadhead in a pocket of space. The Wales international turned past Todibo, allowing a gap to open up as he fired an equaliser past Fabianski.
Nathan Broadhead got Town back on level terms - but for less than three minutes
Nathan Broadhead got Town back on level terms - but for less than three minutes
(Image: Steve Waller)
It didn't last, however. Less than three minutes later, Bowen played a one-two with Aaron Wan-Bissaka, carrying the ball in from the right before launching a powerful strike into the net to put his side back ahead.
McKenna made changes with 20 minutes to go. Liam Delap, on what will likely be his final appearance in a Town shirt, won a flick that fellow substitute Jack Clarke gathered playing the ball into the box where the striker failed to make contact to equalise.
10 minutes later, Delap was booked for shoving over Konstantinos Mavropanos - a fitting way to wrap up his time in Suffolk.
Massimo Luongo captained the Blues in the final minutes of his last appearance for the club
Massimo Luongo captained the Blues in the final minutes of his last appearance for the club
(Image: Ross Halls)
Clarke had a big opportunity to bag an equaliser after picking up the ball on the left, cutting inside and firing just past the post in the 82nd minute.
West Ham wrapped up the match with two minutes remaining, as Kudus played a one-two with Guido Rodriguez, taking the ball in from the right and firing into the net. It was far too easy for him to score - he didn't even celebrate.
Massimo Luongo was introduced for his final Ipswich appearance after that, with Morsy giving him the captain's armband, while former Town man Aaron Cresswell was brought on for his last outing in a West Ham shirt. Both players received standing ovations from the home fans.
It was a nice way to wrap up a disappointing campaign, with all eyes now on next season in the Championship.
Ipswich Town XI: 4-2-3-1: Walton; Tuanzebe, O’Shea, Greaves, Davis; Morsy (Luongo 88'), Cajuste (Taylor 77'); Hutchinson, Chaplin (Clarke 70'), Broadhead (Szmodics 77'); Hirst (Delap 70')
West Ham XI: 3-4-1-2: Fabianski; Todibo (Cresswell 90+1'), Kilman, Mavropanos; Wan-Bissaka, Ward-Prowse (Rodriguez 80'), Alvarez (Paqueta 80'), Scarles (Coufal 72'); Soucek; Bowen, Fullkrug (Kudus 72')
Attendance: 29,771 (2,991 away)