Premier League 2024-25: Beating Chelsea, Ipswich wins at home for first time since April 2002

Premier League 2024-25: Beating Chelsea, Ipswich wins at home for first time since April 2002

Liam Delap and Omari Hutchinson scored either side of the break as Ipswich Town finally ended an almost 23-year wait to win a Premier League match at Portman Road with a 2-0 victory over Chelsea on Monday.

Not since April 2002 – a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough – has Ipswich celebrated home success in the top flight but on Monday, it hauled itself one place up the standings to 18th with a tenacious triumph and handed Chelsea’s title hopes another blow.

Delap’s 12th minute penalty and a fine finish in the 53rd minute from former Chelsea product Hutchinson made for the perfect finish to an exciting year for the club, which was promoted at the end of last season.

Defeat for Chelsea, on the other hand, left it with one point from its last three outings and down to fourth spot, 10 points behind Liverpool and having played one game more than the leader.

Brighton & Hove Albion’s Tariq Lamptey drove home a late equaliser to earn his side a point in a lively 2-2 draw at Aston Villa in the Premier League on Monday.

Villa had come from behind to lead with an Ollie Watkins penalty and a Morgan Rogers effort just after the interval but Brighton deservedly left with a share of the spoils.

Lamptey was played in by Joao Pedro’s clever flick and volleyed home first-time in the 81st minute.

Villa remained in ninth place with 29 points from 19 games with Brighton’s second draw of the festive period leaving it two points behind in 10th spot.