Ipswich Town

Chelsea are eying 21-year-old Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, as they look to provide competition for first-choice striker Nicolas Jackson. (Talksport), external

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Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna speaking to Sky Sports:

"Special night for the club, for the players and fans. First home win in the Premier League at Portman Road for 22 years and to do it against Chelsea was fantastic.

"Most of the supporters who have been here for 22 years, every moment here is a landmark for them. Winning the home game is another special little landmark. But I think the time of year, the night game, the opponent make this a special night and I want everyone to enjoy it a lot. But on the inside we get ready for the next one. We'll be back into work on Wednesday and getting ready for Sunday.

"It was everything we needed to be. Started well, pressed well on the front foot had some nice moments on the ball. Cashed in on the good start with the goal and after that we defended well, top intensity and organisation. Dealt with the pressure well and you have to make good saves and have moments go your way and keep the threat going the other way and we had that throughout. We had some really good breakaways, shots consistently through the game. At 2-0 we managed the game really well.

"We've had a few VARs against us so when their goal was disallowed for offside it was a deep breath in the crowd. That was a good feeling but we've had a lot of 1-0's here so to get the second goal was nice.

"It won't change much inside. The group are working well and believe what we do day to day. Halfway through the season and we've been competitive in the large majority of our games. It's only some small improvements we need to make to win more games. We're a humble group with belief and we'll be back at it.

"Incredible year. Everyone involved with Ipswich can probably enjoy a glass of sparkly stuff tomorrow night and think about some of the games we've had and moments over the last couple of years. I don't want to point backwards too much but I think six of the starting line-up today were in our League One team so it's the journey this group has been on.

"When you have moments like this you have a little pause and enjoy it but then move on to the next one."

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Ipswich striker Liam Delap speaking to Sky Sports: "We've worked so hard this season and it's not gone right. The performances have deserved a win and today we showed we are excellent and we defended well, attacked them well. We're buzzing."

On penalty: "I don't know what clipped me but something did. I just tried to get there before him [Filip Jorgensen] and he was coming out fast so I knew he'd touch me if I didn't get it round him.

"We've had three or four opportunities where we've not had the penalty we probably deserved so it's nice to get that one and put it in the back of the net. I've practiced them a million times so just aimed for the corner and put it there.

"I don't think it changes much. We've performed as well as that in other games this season but not got the result. Not finished our chances or conceded late. We just need to push on now and get more victories."

Ipswich forward Omari Hutchinson speaking to Sky Sports: "It's good to write history and finally get the first win at home.

"Grateful for what Chelsea did in my career, gave me my debut, but I'm playing for Ipswich now and I want to score and help my team get three points and help us stay up."

On backflip celebration: "Everyone's been asking me to do it so I thought I would do it for the first home win."

On Delap: "He's a unit he is. Complete package but he's still finding himself and still learning and trying to become a top player so he's a good striker to play with.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Ipswich's performance

What did you make of Chelsea's display?

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

There are three games in the Premier League on Monday, and we will bring you every moment.

• Ipswich v Chelsea (19:45) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Aston Villa v Brighton (19:45)

• Man Utd v Newcastle (20:00)

Kick-off times are GMT

Follow all the action and reaction

Christmas is boxed off.

We're almost through the confusing days before New Year and January is within touching distance.

And we need your help - what is Ipswich's New Year's resolution?

It could be a new player to sign, a tactical system to implement, an off-the-pitch matter or something else entirely.

Let us know

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

This week, he takes on musician Emma-Jean Thackray, who is a Leeds fan.

Sutton's prediction: 0-2

Chelsea have had a couple of disappointing results over Christmas, firstly failing to score against Everton and then losing late on against Fulham.

Maybe Blues boss Enzo Maresca was right when he said his side were not title contenders. I still think that was more kidology than him ruling his side out of the race but, either way, it must be painful to drop points like that after winning their previous eight games in all competitions.

I am backing them to bounce back here, though, because they should have too much quality for Ipswich.

Fair play to the Tractor Boys, as much as I love giving them a kicking at times, they ran Arsenal close on Friday.

That was typical of Kieran McKenna's side this season. They have given it a real go in the Premier League and they never seem to lie down, whoever they play.

While I am going for a Chelsea win, the one thing at the back of my mind here is that Ipswich's determination and will to hang on in there in games has already brought them some reward in away games.

Eventually it is going to bring them a first home win of the campaign too.

Emma-Jean's prediction: 0-3

Ipswich have done so well to get where they are and I like the way they try to play football, but I only see one winner here.

Read the full predictions and have your say

Ipswich and Southampton are both keen to sign 29-year-old Rennes and Finland midfielder Glen Kamara in January. (TBR Football), external

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

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Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has praised the "fantastic" Liam Delap and believes that the 21-year-old striker can have a big impact on an international stage.

Maresca worked with Delap when he was coaching at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola and the England Under-21 forward was beginning to break through.

With Ipswich entertaining Chelsea at Portman Road on Monday, Maresca knows exactly what threat Delap will pose his side.

"Liam is a fantastic player for his age," Maresca said. We spent one year together and he scored 22/24 goals - he's a very good striker.

"He works hard on and off the ball - he understands the game and can score goals.

"England are lucky with many good players and strikers [but] because of his age, he can be an important player for England."

Maresca also spoke about how impressed he has been with Town boss Kieran McKenna who has led the Tractor Boys back to the Premier League.

"He's doing fantastic," Maresca said. "Since he joined Ipswich, they are doing top.

"Even this year they are doing well. Congratulations to him for what he is doing since he joined the club."

Full commentary of Ipswich v Chelsea from 19:45 GMT on Monday on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, PA Media

We asked for your thoughts after Friday's Premier League game between Arsenal and Ipswich.

Here are some of your comments:

Arsenal fans

Matt: It's better than it was earlier in the season, but our only real failing is not running forward into the opponent's box quick enough when we're on the attack. A two against one in our favour quickly becomes a two v five as defenders get back quicker than our midfield gets up front! Otherwise all good - and especially good to see Martin Odegaard using his right foot!

Les: Switched channels after five minutes. Passing side to side or standing with your foot on the ball is so boring. League Two and National League games are much more exciting.

Richard: Arsenal must score more goals with the possession they have. It's not an easy watch with the score at 1-0. Surely something must be done about the blatant man handling at set pieces especially when the referee is no more than 10 yards away.

Julio: Frustrating home performance. Over 80% possession demonstrated our control of the game but our inability to convert this dominance into more goals was disappointing. We need to show more cutting edge in the final third, particularly in home fixtures where teams set up defensively against us. A win is a win, but we must win better.

Ipswich fans

Tom: A defiant and commendable defensive display, but lacking that final killer ball. Any time we went forward we did the right things but never looked to make a darting run, or more importantly, we failed to release the trigger. When we looked to be a threat on the counter, we were too hesitant to shoot and were never really a danger to Arsenal. Too much respect shown to Arsenal whilst lacking confidence to advance in possession of the ball in fear of losing it. A valiant effort, but you can't get a result from games if you don't take a chance.

Lonnie: Damage limitations personified. Good result for me. Bring on Chelsea. If we can mirror this we cannot complain.

Bazooma: Why can't Kieran McKenna shut up shop like this set up when Town have been 1-0 up with 15 minutes to go in previous games? Hope he learns from this.

Chris: Great effort. Would not rule Ipswich out of playing in the Premier League next year yet!

Image source, Getty Images

Kieran McKenna spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Ipswich lost to Arsenal: "The players worked really hard and we got the game to a good place in the second half after a good 20 minutes. Early on we were pinned in and couldn't get out but to where we were after 89 minutes I was really pleased.

"In the first half it was only the goal where I thought we needed to defend better. We were resilient and compact when we needed to be. Arsenal spent a lot of the first half in our defensive third but unable to penetrate."

On response after heavy loss against Newcastle: "It was a god step back in the right direction for us. We didn't hit our levels against Newcastle. We knew today we had to be resilient and we did that."

On the return of Kalvin Phillips: "I thought he did well. Luke Wolfenden deserves a mention too. Kalvin played 90 plus minutes and Wolfy almost 90 and both did really well."

On taking something from this game: "I think we can. Some defending was good and we'll need that on Monday against Chelsea."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Arsenal's performance, external

What did you make of Ipswich's display?, external

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

There are two matches in the Premier League on Friday, and we will bring you every moment.

• Brighton v Brentford (19:30)

• Arsenal v Ipswich (20:15)

Kick-off times GMT

Follow all the action and reaction

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

This week he takes on Eats Everything, aka DJ & producer Daniel Pearce.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Ipswich missed the suspended Liam Delap in their heavy home defeat against Newcastle. He will be back for this game, but I don't see him making much difference to the outcome.

Saturday was the kind of thumping that might put a massive dent in Ipswich's confidence and this is a big test for them. I know they have already won in north London this season, when they saw off Tottenham in November, but it is hard to see them getting anything at Emirates Stadium.

It is important for Arsenal that Gabriel Jesus is back in the goals. They are going to miss the injured Bukayo Saka for the next few weeks but they will still have too much firepower for Ipswich.

The Tractor Boys are in the relegation zone at Christmas and I want to say that I feel sorry for my daughter's teacher Mr Fields, who is an Ipswich fan. To be honest, that's nothing new, though - I always feel sorry for all Ipswich fans.

Being serious, I still think they have got a chance of staying up and I still rate their manager, Kieran McKenna, very highly - but that Newcastle defeat was a big blow for them. They are still without a home win this season and that has to change quickly if they are going to have any chance of beating the drop.

Eats Everything's prediction: 3-0

If Arsenal turn up there is no contest, really. Ipswich gave United a good game and they are not a bad team, but they concede too many goals.

Read the full predictions and have your say here

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Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna says Friday's Premier League game against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium "is a fantastic one in the journey for this group of players and for the club".

He added: "We need to show the right mentality, first of all. It is a chance to show our togetherness, our spirit and resilience.

"Our organisation is going to have to be really good and we are going to have to show bravery in moments of the game as well to take them on in the way we want to."

On cutting down on individual errors - which proved costly in the heavy home defeat by Newcastle - he said: "It is about trying to develop the group, educating the players on different moments of the game and different situations, and what is the most appropriate decision to make in each situation.

"Then it is about working with them in that process because they are human beings.

"They are not going to get every judgement right in the level that we are operating at - the time and the margins to make your decisions are so, so, so fast."