Ipswich still without a league home win
Ipswich Town 0 - 1 Crystal Palace
Jean-Philippe Mateta delivered a touch of class to seal Crystal Palace’s first Premier League away win of the season, edging past Ipswich Town 1-0 at Portman Road.
With both teams starting level on nine points near the foot of the table, the match promised to be a closely contested affair. However, it was the Eagles who conjured up the decisive moment of brilliance in the 59th minute.
Mateta’s goal was a showcase of individual quality. The Palace forward initiated the move with a clever flick-on in his own half before embarking on a determined run. Skipping past Ipswich defender Jacob Greaves, Mateta coolly chipped the ball over Arijanet Muric to put his side ahead.
Ipswich Town: Back in the big league
Premier League: 2024/2025 season
The first half had been largely uninspiring, with few clear chances for either side. Palace's standout moment provided a spark in what had been a scrappy encounter.
Mateta nearly doubled the lead later, set up by Eberechi Eze, but his effort was thwarted by Muric. This meant a nervy end to the match for Palace but they held on with relative ease.
For Ipswich, Liam Delap continued to be a lively presence. The forward worked tirelessly and tested Palace’s back three, but he couldn’t find the breakthrough his side desperately needed.
Palace’s victory lifts them out of immediate relegation danger, while Ipswich remain searching for consistency in their first season back in the top flight.
More reaction
William, an Ipswich fan, told me after the match: "We have definitely had better nights but the players have had some big chances again. In every match, we seem to have big chances but have not been clinical enough in front of goal."
Thomas, a Palace fan gave us some in-depth analysis from a fan's perspective. He said: "Our manager refused to call this match a 'six-pointer' but we all sensed it was. We showed grit and determination to score a stoppage-time equaliser against Newcastle at the weekend and have started to have the form we displayed at the end of last season."
