19 October 2024
Ipswich Town 0 Everton 2
Kieran McKenna’s side welcomed Everton to Portman Road hoping they could get their first victory to move them away from the bottom three. Sean Dyche knew this was a pivotal game for his team if they did not want another season battling the drop. The international break had come at the right time for the Tractor Boys after suffering a heavy defeat against West Ham in the capital.
Ipswich started playing some nice football as they transitioned from defence to attack. Burns looked to cut the ball back into the box and found Clarke completely unmarked in the middle. The winger got his shot all wrong as he sliced it well wide of the target. He seemed to nervously snatch at the chance, summing up the side’s start to life in the top-flight.
It has been an astonishing few years for Ipswich Town, getting back-to-back promotions to find themselves in the Premier League. They are still struggling to adapt to life at this level and are making mistakes that are usually punished. The ball was gifted to Calvert-Lewin, who ran through with only the keeper to beat. Fortunately for the hosts, he is about as deadly as COVID-19.
As The Toffees swung a deep cross into the box, the hosts looked like a comedy sketch trying to clear their lines. It resulted in the ball running into the path of Ndiaye in the box, who shifted it to his right foot before smashing it into the top corner of the goal. Ipswich had nobody to blame but themselves for falling behind in this crucial match.
McKenna’s side were looking like they had been studying Burnley and Sheff Utd games from last season for their defensive drills in preparation for this one. This is the harsh lesson of life at this level, you just cannot afford to make such mistakes. The goal immediately silenced the home fans, giving Everton the edge in this game. It could be a long season if they do not buck their ideas up.
The Toffees grew in confidence and Calvert-Lewin almost doubled their lead. Fortunately for the hosts, Muric reacted well to block the effort. Ipswich were struggling to find their groove and Pickford had been given nothing to do whatsoever. Up until this point of the game, Dyche could have left him on the team bus to have a kip.
Finally the hosts managed to put Everton under some pressure. Clarke, the Temu Jack Grealish, weaved his way past three Toffees’ players before looking to pull the trigger. He ended up in a heap on the floor and Michael Oliver immediately pointed to the penalty spot. VAR reviewed the incident and asked the official to go over to the monitor, which tends to only mean one thing.
After taking some time to watch the incident, it was deemed that the Ipswich player had actually kicked McNeil not the other way around. As a result, the referee reversed his decision and the Tractor Boys were denied their penalty. It seemed the right decision, although not so long ago Sean Dyche was bemoaning his side not getting a decision when Calvert-Lewin did the same to Burn.
This is the fickle world of football. If you are on the receiving end of such a decision, you will tell all willing to listen that you have been robbed. If it is against your team, you will praise the officials for upholding the laws of the game. Depending on your allegiance, will dictate your views on this one also. From a neutral perspective, it seemed the right outcome.
Just before the interval, Harrrison swung a cross into the box that seemed of no danger. As Muric came to collect it, his defender headed it behind for a corner. It was poor communication between the pair. As Ipswich struggled to clear the result ball into the box, McNeil did well to recycle it and it broke into the path of Keane.
The Everton defender smashed the ball into the roof of the net to double their lead. Maybe he should be playing up front and they drop Calvert-Lewin to centre-back. Either way, it was just what Everton needed to give them a cushion in this game. That said, it is still not a comfortable scoreline given some of their results so far this season.
After the break, the hosts tried to throw everything at Everton. The closest they came to finding a way back into the game was when Delap fired a shot off from the edge of the box. It fizzed narrowly over the crossbar with Pickford just a bystander. It was proving to be a frustrating afternoon for Kieran McKenna and his side.
It took until the 80th minute for the hosts to register their first shot on target. Even then it was just a tame effort that did not trouble the Everton keeper. Dyche’s side had the chance to kill the game off but it was a case of déjà vu, Calvert-Lewin with only Muric to beat and his poor finish allowed the Ipswich stopper to make the save.
The Toffees held on for an important win and their travelling fans went home the happier. There are signs of things turning around for the Goodison Park outfit, they will just be hoping they can use this as a platform for the rest of their season. Despite only being two places above the bottom three, Dyche’s side are now five points clear of Crystal Palace.
McKenna said after the game that he felt they were denied a clear penalty and had spoken to the referee after the final whistle. Oliver told him that he appreciated the incident was a real grey area. Not what the Irishman would have wanted to hear. Despite the defeat, they are still outside of the bottom three regardless of being winless this campaign.
Did you enjoy this article? Please share to your social media. With one click you can help spread the word and make Solid at the Back the one-stop shop for all Premier League fans.