Ipswich Town

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Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna has been speaking to the BBC Match of the Day following the narrow defeat: "I think it was a pretty even game. It wasn't the most high-quality game of the season. First-half was really even. It really felt like a first-goal game. We would have been in a great position, but it was them that got it.

"We are disappointed. It's a poor penalty to give away from our perspective.

"We had plenty of moments in the first-half. We had chances and we had a lot of pressure. The first goal felt important and, on another day, we would have got it. Fine margins."

On the penalty: "I can understand why it was given. He lunged in from behind and you are giving the referee a decision to make. I've not seen it close up, but I can see why it was given in real time.

"I don't think we can say we hit our best level to win the game, but I think we deserved something. We have got steps to make if we are going to consistently win."

Charlotte Coates
BBC Sport journalist

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Ipswich's three-game unbeaten run was also going to come under threat when visiting the City Ground as Nottingham Forest looked to jump back up the Premier League after a disappointing couple of games.

The Tractor Boys started the game well against Forest but their only dangerous effort on goal was Omari Hutchinson's low drive but Matz Sels got down well low to his right.

Kieran McKenna's side play some tidy football and look like they should create more than they do but they have a chance to correct that on Tuesday night.

Ipswich welcome fellow strugglers Crystal Palace to Portman Road with the two teams locked on nine points.

A win for the hosts could see them jump up from 19th to 15th in the table and give them huge confidence going into another a huge game at home against Bournemouth.

Ipswich's only win of the season came in that almighty shock away at Tottenham and the home faithful cannot wait for the let off inside Portman Road once the first three points are secured.

It could be a very special event under the lights on Tuesday night.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

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Have your say on Ipswich's performance, external

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Five matches make up Saturday's Premier League action, and we will bring you every moment.

• Brentford v Leicester

• Crystal Palace v Newcastle (listen on BBC Radio 5 Live)

• Nottingham Forest v Ipswich

• Wolves v Bournemouth

• West Ham v Arsenal - 17:30 (listen on BBC Radio 5 Live)

Kick-offs 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.

For week 13, he takes on boxer Sunny Edwards who is a Chelsea fan.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

For some reason people often think that I am quite petty when it comes to these predictions, and that I occasionally use them to make a point.

So I would like to remind Ipswich fans that I correctly predicted they would draw 1-1 with Manchester United last week and, importantly, the points I earned for that handed me victory in that round of games.

I know that many Ipswich fans were pleased for me and I think it showed that, despite my allegiance to Norwich, I don't hold any grudges against them.

On to this week, and I hope Ipswich get absolutely pumped by Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

I should explain that Forest were my boyhood team, so that is the only reason why I am rooting for them here. Mind you, if Forest play like they did in their previous home game against Newcastle, then I will be sending my replica shirt back to the club shop and giving up on them again.

Being serious, though, I like this Ipswich team. They have got some good players and play some good football. They deserved to beat United and would have done if not for a couple of superb saves by Andre Onana.

Still, I expect Forest to bounce back at the City Ground after two defeats in a row. Chris Wood has to be back in the team after starting last weekend's defeat against Arsenal on the bench, but if he plays then they will come out on top.

Edwards' prediction: 1-1

Ipswich did well against United and their striker Liam Delap is very sought after - we are one of the teams who are supposed to be after him.

Read the full predictions and have your say

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BBC Radio Suffolk's Brenner Woolley, speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football podcast about whether Ipswich can look to Nottingham Forest as an example of what they could become: "They undoubtedly are looking along those lines [of what Forest have done].

"Anything outside the bottom three will do this season. I know some fans have got a bit carried away off the back of the past two results, talking about them finishing 15th or 14th, but the vast majority would take 17th place and then build from that base. Like Forest have done and, with all due respects, smaller clubs than Ipswich Town like Bournemouth and Brentford. Look at those as yardsticks and think, 'why not?'

"Once you get to that stage, I can understand why you are looking at Aston Villa or Brighton who have taken the extra step and gone into European competition. That is a lot further down the road for Ipswich Town.

"I understand completely and do see the parallels between the two clubs.

"It is going to be very difficult if the likes of Wolves and West Ham pick up form - they are going to be down there around the bottom four or five, but let's just hope they can finish somewhere in the top two of that mini-league."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds

For teams down at the bottom, some have that player who can save them and others are missing that talisman.

Wolves have got Matheus Cunha. If they can really get him firing, we saw last season how important he was to the team. The goal at Fulham at the weekend was one that affected that result. If Gary O'Neil can get him back to his best, he could be their potential saviour this season.

On the other hand, I do not think Southampton have that player. They relied heavily on Adam Armstrong in the Championship for goals, but I do not think he brings the same qualities we saw last season when he was able to get a consistent run of goals. Yes, Southampton are a great possession-based team but they do not have that player that will get 20 goals.

With Ipswich, they have got Liam Delap with all his attributes and they also have Omari Hutchinson too who can contribute towards the goalscoring the team needs.

When I look at Everton, I do not see them having that talisman, that player that is going to get you the goals, but as a team they have a knowhow in the Premier League. That is so important when you are fighting at the bottom. That is what Everton collectively as a team and boss Sean Dyche know how to do.

Crystal Palace have got Jean-Phillippe Mateta, they have got Eddie Nketiah, there is Ebere Eze too if they can keep him fit, so I am not worried for them. They have got a lot of injuries which has not helped and they lost two key players in the summer, but I think they have enough. If they can get players back fit, they can go on a run again like we saw at the end of last season.

And then there is Leicester. They have only really got Jamie Vardy who is ageing but does know how to score goals in the Premier League. They are struggling and I feel out of the teams battling relegation, it is Leicester and Southampton who have not got a talisman that can save them.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

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Earlier, we asked you who scored Ipswich's first Premier League goal of the 2024-25 season.

The answer is Sammie Szmodics, who netted in the 4-1 defeat at Manchester City on 24 August.

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Mum's the word when Chris Wood faces Dara O'Shea at the City Ground on Saturday.

The Ipswich defender and Nottingham Forest striker Wood never played with each other but share a special bond.

They were at West Brom and Burnley at different times but Republic of Ireland international O'Shea lived with Wood's parents, Julie and Grant, when he was a young player at the Baggies.

The couple offered Baggies players digs while they were living away from their own homes.

It meant Wood would return home and, on occasion, find O'Shea - who joined Ipswich from Burnley in the summer - relaxing in the living room.

He said: "A couple of times! Unfortunately, I was never too close to Birmingham the times he was there. I was at other clubs across the country. It worked well for Dara and my parents and they have stayed in contact, at least at parent level with his mum and dad.

"It was a nice way to give back and feel part of the club. They've had a number of boys and one of those was Dara, who's done extremely well over the years. He did well at West Brom, when he went to Burnley and now at Ipswich.

"Mum and dad are extremely nice to take in players as digs parents. It's a great way to give back to a club which gave me a huge stepping stone in my career. They took a big chance on a Kiwi boy from New Zealand."

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Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna does not want to make "grand summaries from one game" after their impressive performance against Manchester United.

Th Tractor Boys fought back after conceding within 90 seconds to draw against Ruben Amorim's side and looked the more likely to take all three points.

Despite taking five points from their past three games, Ipswich still sit in the relegation zone heading into Saturday's match against Nottingham Forest.

"It's one game, but it was a good game. We feel like we could have won it on the balance of chances. We were the team certainly more likely to win it," McKenna said.

"But we are not too interested in making grand summaries from one game. It was a pretty good performance, it's another point, but it's on to the next game and all eyes on Nottingham Forest.

"The time for taking stock will be a bit further down the line and at the end of the season. For now, it is just about focusing on the next game of the season and concentrating on our next performance. That's what we have done since Sunday finished.

"We are happy that we are competing well and generally been hard to beat. In terms of being consistently competitive in almost every match and in the early stages of the season as a newly promoted team, I think that's a big priority.

"We would like to have a few more points and we think that, especially with quite a few of the home draws, we feel like we could or should have won one or two of those at least.

"But there are positives there and we are going to try and build on those. But with all these things, you can't count on anything really. Come 3pm on Saturday, it all starts again and we have to fight for a new result."

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You never want to come up against a type of player like Liam Delap. They can really get under your skin.

I have always said in football you play with your head and it is a mental game. For a player, if it works for them, it is an advantage and it is horrible to play against. As long as it is something that is controlled, it is a good attribute to have.

With Delap, the way he plays is not overtaking other qualities. Instead, it adds in and contributes to all the good things he is doing. With the physicality that he brings and the goals he is scoring, his approach does not seem to be affecting other areas of his game, which is really good.

I like players like that on my team - Wayne Rooney was that type of player, Diego Costa too - those kind of players that have that bit of spike about them. If they are in your team and it is controlled it is good, but if you are coming up against them it is horrible. You feel like it is an advantage and they can get the upper hand on you mentally in those areas.

Overall, I have been impressed with Delap this season. He has shown really good signs. He has shown he is a good finisher, that he is athletic and strong - but also that he does not mind playing with a target player and can run beyond.

He is showing all the attributes you would want in a forward.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

Who scored Ipswich's first Premier League goal of the 2024-25 season?

Answer will be revealed at 17:00 GMT

Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Nottingham Forest (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• There are no "fresh issues" on the injury front. Kalvin Phillips and Ben Johnson remain out and longer-term absentees "are still being assessed".

• The Ipswich boss is "not aware" of or "interested in" Manchester City having a buy-back clause in the contract of in-form striker Liam Delap. "Liam's full focus is here and on the team and trying to help the team while continuing his own improvement," said McKenna.

• On the progress made after taking four points against Tottenham and Manchester United: "I think you look at the performances in both games and there was a lot of positives to take but it's up to us to continue that. We feel like we are in pretty good form but it's about the next game - a tough game against Nottingham Forest. We need to step up again."

• McKenna is happy that his side are "competing well and have generally been hard to beat" since coming up to the Premier League and believes there are "positives" to take from their performances so far.

• On Omari Hutchinson: "It's enjoyable seeing a hungry, talented young player getting to grips with the league and trying to make an impact. He's been a positive through the season but certainly in the last few games. He was maybe the standout attacker on the pitch against Manchester United. He is making good strides. Lots to go."

• On Nottingham Forest: "They've got a lot of very good players, they've got a really talented squad and an experienced Premier League manager who has done well at clubs before. They have had some fantastic results, winning at Anfield, we know it is going to be tough but it's another good challenge for us."

Read about Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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Leif Davis has created more chances than any other Ipswich player in the Premier League this season. His 28 is also the most among defenders so far in the competition this term.

Chelsea are keen on Ipswich's 21-year-old English striker Liam Delap, but could face competition from his former club Manchester City. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer news? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Graeme McLoughlin
BBC Radio Suffolk sports editor

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Ipswich Town dropped back into the relegation zone at the weekend, but you could have been forgiven for thinking Kieran McKenna's side are challenging for the Premier League title, such was the atmosphere inside the stadium and positive mood around Portman Road after Sunday's draw with Manchester United.

Town followed up a deserved first win of the campaign at Tottenham with arguably an even better display against the global giants, and any concerns after the mid-October home defeat by Everton have been laid to rest. For now.

In a season where every game is massive, the Blues face Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth inside the next fortnight. Both have lost their past two in the league and both matches are certainly winnable.

Sandwiched in between is a fixture under the lights in Suffolk against Crystal Palace. Many will have that down as a 'six-pointer'.

Town's England Under-21 stars Omari Hutchinson and Liam Delap have rightly received plaudits of late, with the latter being cited as Harry Kane's future replacement at senior level on MOTD2 on Sunday.

However, the whole Ipswich team deserves a mention and five of those who featured against United on Sunday were part of Town's League One line-up the season before last. That quintet includes 33-year-old skipper Sam Morsy. Why he has had to wait so long to play at the highest level is beyond me and many others.

A stop start domestic fixture list with little cup football and international interruptions is about to intensify, with seven games to come between now and the end of the year.

Given what we’ve witnessed under McKenna and co to date, it’s a busy schedule that may well suit Town, who should never be written off. For they have made miracles the new normal.

Listen to The Blue Hour with Brenner Woolley every Monday and Matchday Preview with Graeme McLoughlin every Friday, along with live coverage of every Ipswich Town game, home and away, on BBC Radio Suffolk.

Henry Brownsey
BBC Sport journalist

As Ed Sheeran made some headlines this week.

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Manchester United fans hope Ruben Amorim will be 'The Man' but he was hoping for more points than just 'One'.

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Leicester are looking for a 'New Man' as Cooper's reign lasted 157 days.

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Wolves' ended their 'Bad Habits' with their first away win since February.

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Tottenham achieved a nearly 'Perfect' performance and an even better 'Photograph'.

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Liverpool fans wonder what life could be like without the 'Shape of You'.

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Despite Alexander Isak not asking the Newcastle fans to 'Give me Love' they clearly showed that they 'Remember the Name.'

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And the Toon Army will be hoping Monday's loss was just a 'Small Bump'.

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Richard Woodward
Fan writer

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Back in 2000-01, Ipswich Town's embryonic Premier League campaign was given huge impetus via a 1-1 draw with Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United.

George Burley's side rushed into an early lead courtesy of Fabian Wilnis, and had multiple chances to convert one point into three had it not been for heroics from goalkeeper Fabien Barthez.

Fast forward over 24 years and Town fans will be hoping that Sunday's eerily similar experience against United leads to history repeating itself.

The Blues were excellent value for their point, as Portman Road spoiled the gathered media's week-long love-in for Ruben Amorim.

Had it not been for Andre Onana emulating Barthez and denying the prowling Liam Delap, it could have been three points for the class of 2024.

No-one can deny that positive momentum is building for Kieran McKenna's side, with Sunday's draw reinforcing the view that the "shock" result at Tottenham was no flash in the pan.

Town out-worked Ange Postecoglou's men (maybe that is what inspired Spurs' performance at Manchester City!), and largely out-worked Amorim's cobbled-together United team too.

But that hard work needs to be converted into victories. McKenna said in his assessment post-United that ideally one or two of the previous draws could/should have been wins.

With the Blues now on the wrong side of the dotted line - albeit on goal difference - a run of games coming up against the likes of Crystal Palace and Wolves needs to see the win count increase if the battle for survival is going to be successful.

Burley's boys accumulated 17 points in the 10 games following their 1-1 draw with United in 2000, leaving them sitting pretty in seventh spot.

With the bottom half of the Premier League so compressed, who knows where a similar return of points could take McKenna's men?

Find more from Richard Woodward at the Blue Monday Podcast, external

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Ipswich striker Liam Delap has got "all the attributes to be a top international player", says former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy.

The 21-year-old has been one of the Tractor Boys' standout players on their return to the Premier League, having scored six goals and made one assist in the 12 games so far.

Discussing the young forward on Match of the Day 2, Murphy said: "He has got a lot of qualities.

"I have seen him quite a lot this season and I would probably go as far as to say he is the obvious long-term successor to [Harry] Kane. I think he is the best young English striker out there.

"I know he has got a lot to learn and wisdom comes with experience and game time in this league, but he has got all the attributes to be a top international player.

"I just don't see a weakness for him. He has scored enough goals in a struggling side really, but if he gets a lot of chances he will score more. He has just got that lovely balance between physical and technical [ability] and rarely do you get both. He is a super talent."

Delap, son of former Premier League midfielder Rory Delap, joined on a permanent transfer in the summer from Manchester City's academy having previously spent time on loan at Championship sides Stoke City, Preston North End and Hull City.

"Being at Manchester City [I have seen] him work day in and day out from his knee injury when he went back from Hull to Manchester City to get back fit," added former City captain Steph Houghton.

"For me, he has been really impressive and and by far Ipswich's best player so far."

Watch the full discussion on BBC iPlayer

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We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Ipswich Town and Manchester United, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Here are some of your comments:

Ipswich towns

Matt: I thought we looked like a proper Premier League team. We were better than Manchester United. This line-up is definitely our strongest 11 (apart from the absent Greaves). If we continue to play like this we will stay up. Omari was outstanding.

James: This was another step in the right direction for Town, with a fully deserved point. It was frustrating to concede so early, as we were the team in the ascendancy in the first half, which was capped by a superb goal by Omari Hutchinson. There wasn't much between the two sides in the second half and we again showed our resilience to see out the draw.

Michael: Wonderful performance by Town after what some would say is our regular early mistake. We battled well and had we won the game it would not have been an injustice. Credit should also go to the referee, Anthony Taylor, who allowed the game to flow and kept control throughout.

Phillip: We more than matched a top team in the Premier League/ Europe. We probably should have got all three points. We have to believe in this fantastic team of ours because we were brilliant, as we were at Tottenham. We are building something special. Kieran McKenna, what can I say, amazing achievement. Absolutely buzzing.

United fans

Mike58: Obviously disappointed not to win but a draw was the least Ipswich deserved. Signs of life to come - a manager/coach with tactical knowledge and an identity. He will improve these players, for sure. Having had only days to work with these players he has overachieved. Onana clear player of the match for United.

Mark: Early days but the same old problems resurfaced and we need to stop giving the ball away cheaply. We bossed the second half and deserved the win, but the cutting edge is still missing up front and we should be more clinical. Hopefully Amorin will iron these problems out and we will improve - slowly but steadily.

Toni: Wasn't expecting miracles, to be honest. Amorim has a lot of work to do. However, some players can be moved on in January. We cannot and must not have a squad of uninterested professionals. A draw was good enough but we need more effort.

Davos: A steady start for Amorim. He has plenty of work to do to get the boys firing on all cylinders. The midfield seemed a little slow at times and we just need a striker to be in the box for when the ball is played into that area as both Zirkzee and Hojlund look lost. Onwards and upwards.