Crystal Palace 2-3 Ipswich Town
by Joseph Musa
at Selhurst Park

CRYSTAL PALACE boss Pierre Sage when asked on potential discipline issues: “I just want the players to give 100 per cent and when they give less, I have to check them.”

It was a cagey start to the game, summed up when Ipswich goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen miskicked the ball and it fell to Palace captain of the day Adam Wharton, whose tame shot from distance went straight to the keeper.

Wharton would’ve been disappointed he didn’t capitalise as Scherpen was away from goal.

The home side took the lead in the 14th minute when Daichi Kamada laid the ball off to right wing-back Anan Khalaili, who took a touch and rifled past Scherpen in goal.

The goal was Khalaili’s first for the club after a good move from left to right, which ended with the wing-back finding the net.

Palace striker Jorgen Strand Larsen hit a half-volley which forced a save from Scherpen as the home team pushed for an immediate second.

Ipswich then equalised in the 23rd minute, left back Leif Davis crossed it for striker Emersonn, who headed into the net.

The home side then went down to 10 men in the 34th minute as Axel Disasi was shown a straight red for a dangerous challenge on Jack Clarke, when Disasi’s studs caught the winger on his knee.

Right on half-time, the away side took the lead as Abdul Fatawu combined with Dara O’Shea down the right, Emersonn’s attempted header from O’Shea’s cross hit his shoulder into the path of Davis who headed in.

After the break, Palace began to push for the equaliser, which came in the 75th minute when Kamada played the ball to Strand Larsen, who held off Issa Diop before firing into the bottom-right corner. 

Four minutes later, Khalaili missed a glorious chance to give Palace the lead. The goal at his mercy and he shot over the bar.

Ipswich then won it in the 90th minute as Enciso crossed for Davis, the left back’s looping header hit the bar, and substitute Zian Flemming scored the rebound.

A tough pill to swallow for the home side.

Ipswich manager Gary O’Neil stated: “We managed to learn a lot while taking three points, which is a big positive for us.”