Chelsea’s Champions League hopes took a hit on Sunday as they were held to a dramatic 2-2 draw by Ipswich Town at Stamford Bridge, despite mounting a spirited second-half comeback.
The visitors stunned the home crowd with a first-half blitz. Julio Enciso opened the scoring in the 19th minute, converting calmly after a clever pass from Ben Johnson. Just over ten minutes later, Johnson doubled Ipswich’s lead with a powerful header from Enciso’s cross, putting the Blues on the back foot.
Chelsea found a lifeline almost instantly after the break. Within 20 seconds of the restart, Noni Madueke whipped in a cross that Axel Tuanzebe inadvertently diverted into his own net, shifting the momentum in Chelsea’s favour.
Despite the early setback, Ipswich defended resolutely. But substitute Jadon Sancho, greeted with boos as he entered the pitch, silenced critics with a moment of brilliance. In the 79th minute, he curled a superb strike into the top corner and celebrated defiantly by pointing to the name on the back of his shirt.
However, Chelsea couldn’t find a late winner as Ipswich held firm to secure a valuable point. The draw lifts Chelsea to fifth place in the Premier League, but they could be pushed out of the Champions League qualification spots if Newcastle United beat Manchester United later in the day at St James’ Park.
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