JADON SANCHO spared Chelsea’s blushes as Enzo Maresca’s side came from behind to draw.
Relegation-threatened Ipswich went 2-0 up after 31 minutes with Chelsea flat throughout the first half.
GettyJadon Sancho spared Chelsea’s blushes with a beauty[/caption]
ReutersCole Palmer was not at the races again[/caption]
GettyNicolas Jackson fluffed his lines in front of goal[/caption]
ReutersEnzo Fernandez was a rare bright spark for the Blues[/caption]
They kickstarted into life immediately after the break when Axel Tuanzebe bundled a Noni Madueke cross into the back of his own net under pressure from Marc Cucurella.
Chelsea should have already been a goal to the good but Nicolas Jackson fluffed his lines – a familiar tale this season.
The Blues were booed off the pitch after their first half display but Sancho redeemed his team-mates after he unleashed a brilliant curling effort into the top corner.
Chelsea came into the fixture having won each of their last five Premier League games at Stamford Bridge but failed to build momentum after their midweek win in Warsaw.
Cole Palmer delivered another weak performance but Fernandez continued his recent impressive form, while Sancho shined from the bench.
A victory would have propelled Chelsea into fourth place, a point ahead of reigning champions Manchester City, but a draw leaves Enzo Maresca’s side in fifth.
Here is how SunSport’s Conor Jones rated the Blues display…
ROBERT SANCHEZ – 4
The keeper had a quiet first half but failed to stop either of the goals and his distribution was poor.
The Spaniard faced very little in the second half as his side dominated possession and looked much more dangerous.
TREVOR CHALOBAH – 4
Pushed high to support Madueke and forced a save from Alex Palmer in the first half with a low, driven strike but it was a routine stop.
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The defender was at fault for the second goal where he was pulled out of position and failed to win a header over George Hirst, eventually leading to the Enciso cross and Johnson’s header at the back post.
Chalobah was then moved into centre half at the break and dealt with Ipswich’s counter-attacks reasonably well, denying Liam Delap a shot on goal shortly after he came on.
TOSIN ADARABIOYO – 5
The defender had a quiet game and will be disappointed to have conceded two at home after keeping a clean sheet away at Legia Warsaw.
Tosin didn’t offer a threat from set pieces and was part of Chelsea’s worst 45-minute period of the game.
Made way for Malo Gusto in the second half, with Trevor Chalobah moving across into centre-half.
LEVI COLWILL – 5
Started brightly, playing a brilliant pass through the lines from a free-kick which found Enzo Fernandez in the half space.
Managed to find himself open in the Ipswich box for a free header which should have found the back of the net but can instead be added to the list of missed chances for the Blues on the day.
Chelsea put in a poor display at the back as a group and allowed the visitors to capitalise on their mistakes.
Ultimately, the Englishman will be disappointed with his backline’s performance, especially after a clean sheet midweek.
MARC CUCURELLA – 6
The Spanish full-back was up to his usual tricks on Sunday, rolling in pain to win a free-kick in the first half leading to relentless boos from the travelling support.
The Spaniard’s defensive performance didn’t match his theatrics as he was caught on the back foot for the opening goal from Enciso and then beaten at the back post for Johnson’s header and Ipswich’s second.
Cucurella came out of the blocks firing in the second half and was in the box to bundle home Madueke’s cross, with the help of Tuanzebe.
Overall, he was dangerous and caused Ipswich more problems than most of the Blues’ front line.
MOISES CAICEDO – 5
Didn’t play noticeably badly but was part of a midfield that was caught out on the break for both goals.
Protected his back four with more consistency in the second half but recycled the ball well and regained possession on numerous occasions.
Needs to offer more going forward when his side are struggling to create.
ENZO FERNANDEZ – 7
Enzo was positive and drove the Blues’ attack forward throughout the first half, linking up well with Madueke and pressing eagerly with Palmer.
The Argentinian matched his attacking work rate at the back going forward and tried to drive his team up the pitch with every possession.
The midfielder was keen to take on shots and when his side were struggling he was the only player who showed signs of turning things around.
NONI MADUEKE – 6
Madueke was a threat down the right-hand side early on and pressed the Tractor Boys’ back line with enthusiasm but his day was defined by missed chances.
An awkward volley nearly crept past Alex Palmer at the near post but Ipswich fans were relieved to see it nestle into the outside netting.
The winger failed to convert again in the last ten minutes of the first half after Palmer slid in Cucurella and the Spaniard delivered a dangerous cut back which he spooned into row Z but delivered the assist to kickstart the comeback.
COLE PALMER – 4
Palmer started quietly but perked up around 15 minutes into the first half when he toyed with the Ipswich backline before combining well with Pedro Neto to fizz a ball across the six-yard line.
Yet, the young attacker looked hesitant and lacking in confidence as he failed to show the cut throat decision making and talent we saw in the first half of the season.
If the Englishman was hoping this fixture could be the turning point in a run of flat form, he was wrong.
PEDRO NETO – 6
Found acres of space on the right flank but failed to capitalise despite numerous balls into the box and consistent opportunities to cut in onto his right foot.
Came close with a volley from the edge of the area in the second half and picked up his performance in the second half but still lacked the cutting edge.
The winger had a half chance to win the game with a difficult volley in the box but could only slice the ball high and wide.
NICOLAS JACKSON – 4
Jackson showed signs of life but was kept quiet by Dara O’Shea and made a case for his side to start looking at strikers come the summer transfer window.
The striker should have scored in the eighth minute of the game after Enzo played a dangerous ball across the box from the right but he could only hit the post.
The Senegalese attacker lost the physical battle with Ipswich’s backline and failed to offer a dangerous outlet on the break which was where his side looked most dangerous.
SUBS
MALO GUSTO – 5
Came on to replace Tosin and offer a conventional full-back on the right-hand side which helped the home side’s stability in the second half.
Inverted well and helped contain Ipswich counter attacks by recycling the ball around the edge of the area and offered himself on the right flank.
JADON SANCHO – 7
Came on and scored a wonderful equaliser but didn’t have loads of opportunities to impact the game outside of his goal.
Overall, Maresca couldn’t ask for much more and Sancho rescued a point for his side.
CHRISTOPHER NKUNKU – 5
Did not make an impact in his few minutes on the pitch.
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