Ipswich and Southampton earned a point apiece as the battle of two of the
relegated clubs from last season’s Premier League ended 1-1 at Portman Road.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis’ own goal after four minutes gave the Tractor Boys an early advantage but Jay Robinson equalised for the visitors – just before the half-hour mark – as this Championship fixture ended all square.
In a frantic second half, Sam Szmodics hit the post while Robinson had a shot deflected by Town goalkeeper Alex Palmer as neither side were able to grab the victory and the three points.
Ipswich’s Jack Clarke wheels away after Southampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis (not pictured) scores an own goal
Ipswich took the lead when George Hirst intercepted a wayward pass and crossed from the right and Jack Clarke’s effort deflected into the net off Saints centre-back Harwood-Bellis’ chest.
Adam Armstrong appealed for a Southampton penalty when he collided with opposing captain Dara O’Shea but referee Robert Madley turned away his appeal for a spot-kick.
Then Robinson and Welington collided with each other in the Town penalty area when they were in a great position to find an equaliser.
A break down the right by former Ipswich loanee Ryan Fraser eventually led to him making a pin-point cross for teenager Robinson to connect with his head to bring the sides level, 16 minutes before the break.
Hirst robbed Harwood-Bellis deep in the Southampton half and made his way into the visitors’ penalty area where Saints goalkeeper Gavin Buzunu stuck out a leg to deflect the shot.
Ipswich Town’s Jaden Philogene is challenged by Southampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis
Moments later Palmer rushed out of his goal towards the halfway line and the ball was almost intercepted by Armstrong but O’Shea closed down the striker’s attempt at goal.
The hosts almost took the lead in the 47th minute when Hirst released Szmodics towards the Southampton goal but his shot struck the right-hand post and rebounded into Bazunu’s arms.
At the other end, Robinson had a shot charged down and Jaden Philogene went close with a scissor kick.
In a frantic start to the second period Szmodics’ blistering run upfield nearly resulted in a strike at goal but he failed to outrun Welington, whose solid tackle sent the ball back to his keeper.
Meanwhile, Palmer had to get down to deflect a shot from Robinson and Szmodics collided with Buzuno in the Southampton penalty area, with the referee awarding a free-kick to the visitors.
Substitute Conor Chaplin shot narrowly wide in the final minutes and his header went just over the crossbar but neither side was able to find that crucial winning goal.
The managers
Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna:
“We had the better chances but we were not quite able enough to say we dominated the game in any spell and really say we should have won it.
“We looked like the team more likely to win it but we just need to take steps forward in every aspect, to be a better team, to be more dominant in the game and find a way to win.
“We have to use that feedback to get stronger and we need to do all the right things as a club and off the pitch to get the group as strong as we can.
Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna on the touchline
“It was frustrating not to get the win but it was in some ways it was a step forward.
“It’s our first home game and probably against one of the better teams in the division personnel-wise. We delivered a better performance and better chances but disappointed we didn’t get the winner.”
Southampton’s Will Still:
“We scored a really good goal and collectively we have used the space and got it in the box. The first half was the performance we wanted to see.
Southampton boss Will Still after the 1-1 draw with Ipswich
“In the second half it was a bit more scrappy and not what we expect but you expect that coming to grounds like this, it’s difficult.
“They [Ipswich] build the pressure up but we dug in when we had to dig in and that’s a positive thing but on the whole the draw was a fair result, we take the point and still keep moving.
“We showed grit and determination and character and got back into the game.
“If you want to be hypercritical we should have been more clinical in both boxes and more demanding from ourselves but it’s two games in, we’ve won in the cup, still unbeaten and take positives from the game.”
