Ipswich Town secured a 3-2 victory against 10-man Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. The win marked Ipswich’s first Premier League away victory since April 2025. Goals from Emersonn and Leif Davis answered Anan Khalaili’s opener, before Zian Flemming struck a winner in the 90th minute.
This result ended a streak of Premier League games where Ipswich had conceded first and failed to win. Palace, who had recently beaten Fulham and Middlesbrough, were aiming for a perfect week.
Match Progression and Key Moments
The match saw Anan Khalaili open the scoring for Crystal Palace. His shot, which took a slight deflection off Ipswich full-back Davis, found its way past Kjell Scherpen. Palace continued to press, with Jorgen Strand Larsen having a volley saved.
Ipswich equalised when Leif Davis’s cross from the left was headed in by Emersonn. A significant moment occurred in the 34th minute when Axel Disasi of Palace received a straight red card for a challenge on Jack Clarke. Ipswich capitalised on this, taking the lead just before half-time with a free header from Davis.
In the second half, Palace increased their intensity. Quiten Timber missed two opportunities to equalise before Jorgen Strand Larsen levelled the score, firing into the bottom-left corner. However, Ipswich secured the victory in the 90th minute when Zian Flemming reacted quickest after a looping header from Davis came back off the crossbar, tucking in the winning goal.
Manager Reactions and Team Form
Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage expressed frustration following the match, highlighting the impact of the red card and tactical errors. He noted that despite reorganising the team and creating chances, conceding the third goal in a similar manner was difficult. Sage also mentioned a sporting decision regarding Jaydee Canvot’s omission, stating he expects a reaction from the player.
For Ipswich manager Gary O’Neil, the win was pleasing, especially considering the difficulty of winning away in the Premier League against teams involved in European competitions. He praised his team’s emotional response to setbacks and positives, stating that they found a way to win and deserved the three points.
O’Neil specifically commended Emersonn’s performance, describing him as a threat who has adapted quickly to the league. He also mentioned the coaching staff’s work on Emersonn’s technical skills, which he noted had been an area of concern previously.
Home Form and Upcoming Fixtures
Crystal Palace’s home form at Selhurst Park continues to be a point of concern. In Oliver Glasner’s final season, the team earned 21 of their 45 points at home. Under Sage, the club has now lost his first two league matches at the ground. Despite a League Cup victory against Championship side Middlesbrough, the defeat against Ipswich means Palace has accumulated only 11 points at home in 2026, with Tottenham Hotspur being the only other ever-present Premier League side to have earned less.
The atmosphere at Selhurst Park has also been affected, with the Holmesdale Fanatics, a key fan group, ceasing activity due to concerns that “genuine” fans are not being prioritised. Crystal Palace’s next fixture at Selhurst Park is a Europa League match against Lech Poznan on Thursday, followed by a home game against Nottingham Forest after the international break.
Ipswich’s early season form has been notable. In their previous return to the Premier League in 2024/25, it took them 16 games to record two wins. This season, they have achieved two wins in just four matches. Their schedule includes upcoming matches against Arsenal and Everton.
The Ipswich victory at Selhurst Park was secured on Saturday, 12 September 2026.
Source: bbc.co.uk
Ama Serwah
Yaw Appiah
Evelyn Mensah