Chelsea’s EPL title hopes rocked by shock 2-0 loss at Ipswich Town
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Ipswich Town's Omari Hutchinson celebrates scoring their second goal in a 2-0 English Premier League win at Portman Road on Dec 30.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Enzo Maresca admitted Chelsea should not think about challenging for the English Premier League title after lowly Ipswich Town beat the Blues 2-0 at Portman Road on Dec 30.
Maresca’s side were rocked by Liam Delap’s early penalty and a second-half goal from former Chelsea winger Omari Hutchinson.
Chelsea’s second successive defeat after their Boxing Day loss to Fulham left them without a win in their last three matches.
The west Londoners had emerged as surprise title contenders after an eight-match winning run in all competitions.
But Maresca had insisted throughout that spell that Chelsea’s inexperienced squad do not have what it takes to win the title in his first season after arriving from Leicester City.
And the Italian’s prediction looks spot on after a shock result in Suffolk that leaves Chelsea in fourth place, 10 points behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand.
“We focus game by game. We are not focused on the title race or those things,” Maresca said.
“It was a strange game. We had many chances but we could do many things better, defend better in some moments.
“Now we’ve finished the first part of the season, no one expected us to be where we are. It’s a long race.”
The third-from-bottom Tractor Boys climb within one point of safety after winning for the second time in their last four games.
Kieran McKenna’s side have renewed belief they can avoid relegation back to the Championship, thanks to their first top-flight home win in 22 years.
“Special night for the club. First home win in the Premier League at Portman Road for 22 years and to do it against Chelsea was fantastic,” the Northern Irishman said.
“Everyone involved with Ipswich can enjoy a glass of sparkly stuff tomorrow night and think about some of the moments we’ve had over the last couple of years.”
Ipswich took the fight to Chelsea right from the start, as Delap bullied the visitors’ defence in pugnacious fashion.
Delap raced onto Leif Davis’ inch-perfect pass in the 12th minute and went to ground after the faintest of kicks by Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen.
Referee John Brooks awarded the spot kick and Delap drilled into the bottom corner for his seventh goal of the season.
“His rate of improvement for a young player is really high,” said Ipswich boss McKenna.
“His style is enjoyable to watch for anyone. There’s not many like him out there.”
Cole Palmer almost levelled immediately when his free kick from 22 metres smacked against the post.
Palmer’s superb left-footed cross was converted by Joao Felix midway through the first half, but it was disallowed for offside after a lengthy video assistant referee check.
Just before half-time, Palmer’s superb 20-metre curler looked destined for the top corner after Felix’s lay-off, only for Christian Walton to brilliantly parry onto the crossbar.
Felix’s header was cleared off the line by Wes Burns early in the second half, before Walton thwarted Noni Madueke’s low effort.
Chelsea’s profligacy came back to haunt them as Ipswich doubled their lead in the 53rd minute.
Axel Disasi carelessly passed straight to Delap on the halfway line and he ran at Levi Colwill before passing to Hutchinson.
Intelligently working a yard of space, he drilled into the bottom corner.
It was a special goal for Hutchinson against a club who released him twice from their youth team. AFP
