Ipswich 1-2 Wolves: Vitor Pereira’s side overturn first-half deficit to dent Tractor Boys’ survival hopes
- Wolves overturned a first-half deficit to beat Ipswich 2-1 on Saturday afternoon
- The Tractor Boys sit 12 points off their relegation rivals with seven games left
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Jorgen Strand Larsen’s late winner completed a comeback win for Wolves that practically ended Ipswich’s slim hopes of avoiding relegation.
The Norwegian striker scored his fourth goal in three games to increase the gap between Wolves and The Tractor Boys to 12 points and also virtually guarantee Vitor Pereira’s team Premier League football next season.
It was heartbreak for Ipswich who had taken the lead through Liam Delap’s 12th goal of the season and then survived a blooper by goalkeeper Alex Palmer and Joao Gomes hitting the post for the visitors.
But the introduction of Pablo Sarabia midway through the second half proved critical. The Spaniard equalised seven minutes after his arrival and then set up Strand Larsen as the visitors extended their run to 10 points from four matches.
Although this meeting wasn’t quite as eventful as the corresponding fixture at Molineux which Ipswich take the point in injury-time, Matheus Cunha shove a steward and Gary O’Neil get sacked, there was still plenty going on.
Cunha was absent at Portman Road – still suspended for a separate scuffle at Bournemouth – but Wolves started brightly without him with Town goalkeeper Alex Palmer saving from Strand Larsen and Toti.
Wolves came back from one goal down to beat Ipswich 2-1 at Portman Road on Saturday
The Tractor Boys are now 12 points off their relegation rivals with seven games left to play
Kieran McKenna’s side have lost the most points from winning positions in the league this term
Having survived the early onslaught, Ipswich then took the lead after 16 minutes.
Alex Tuanzebe’s cross to the far post was met cleanly by Dara O’Shea in the air and Delap was swept home with his right-foot from close range, the goal confirmed after a lengthy VAR check for offside.
A most bizarre incident occurred after 36 minutes occurred when Palmer completely lost his concentration collecting Cameron Burgess’ back pass and let the ball rolled under his studs.
In a panic, the ‘keeper raced back and dived to claw the ball away just as it was crossing the line.
The result was an indirect free-kick to Wolves from six yards for handling a backpass.
The entire Ipswich team stretched across the line and when the ball was touched to Emmanuel Agbadou, his shot was blocked by an onrushing Morsy.
Wolves also started the second period strongly. With hardly any backlift, Gomes almost caught Palmer unaware with a shot from 25 yards that struck the post with the ‘keeper stranded.
Pereira threw on Sarabia and Ricardo Gomes to chase an equaliser and it worked to perfection.
Liam Delap opened the scoring for Ipswich after 16 minutes, marking his 12th goal this season
Pablo Sarabia equalised for Wolves in the 72nd minute – just seven minutes after coming on
Jorgen Strand Larsen put the nail in the coffin when he netted a winner with a few minutes left
After 72 minutes, Strand Larsen hooked the ball back to Sarabia on the edge of the box.
He did brilliantly to chest down and even when his initial shot was blocked by Jens Cajuste, he reacted smartly to roll a finish low into the corner.
Needing the win, a desperate Kieran McKenna made a quadruple change with 10 minutes left.
Instead, it was Wolves who nicked the victory. Andre lofted a pass to Sarabia on the right-edge of the penalty area and his cushioned volley into the box was prodded over the line by a tumbling Strand Larsen.
