Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna was left frustrated after his team let a lead slip in a 2-2 draw against Fulham, a result that meant they were unable to build on their impressive victory over Chelsea. Ipswich seemed to be heading towards a valuable win, having taken a 2-1 lead during stoppage time, but two penalties conceded from counter-attacks ultimately cost them all three points.
Sammie Szmodics had given Ipswich the lead early in the match, and Liam Delap restored it with a penalty after Raul Jimenez had equalized for Fulham. However, Jimenez's late penalty, awarded in the dying moments of the match, meant Fulham remained unbeaten for seven games.
While McKenna was clearly disappointed with the outcome, he also acknowledged the positive aspects of the performance. In his post-match interview with BBC Sport, he reflected on how well his team had played, stating that it was a "really good game" and one that Ipswich could have won had they managed the closing stages better. He pinpointed the two penalties conceded as a major factor in the result, as Ipswich has now allowed five penalty goals this season, matching the record of Wolves in the Premier League.
The draw extended Fulham's unbeaten run to seven matches, consisting of two wins and five draws. Despite the setback, Ipswich remains in the relegation zone, largely due to goal difference. McKenna's side has dropped a staggering 17 points from winning positions this season, a statistic that places them among the worst in the league, with only Fulham and Brighton having lost more points from similar positions.
Despite this, McKenna remains hopeful and believes his team is making significant progress. He pointed to their competitive performances against top teams like Arsenal and Chelsea as evidence of the team's growth. "We had the better chances in the second half from open play," McKenna noted, adding that while they could have managed the game better against Fulham, the team is learning valuable lessons.
In an effort to bolster the squad's defensive options, Ipswich announced their first signing of the January transfer window. Ben Godfrey, who has earned two England caps, joined on loan from Atalanta for the remainder of the season. Godfrey has struggled for game time at Atalanta but is excited to join Ipswich, praising the team's unity and determination. "I’ve watched a lot of the games from the first half of the season, and you can tell from those that the group is a tight one," Godfrey said, expressing his enthusiasm for working under McKenna.
With Godfrey's arrival, McKenna will hope the added depth in defense can help Ipswich climb out of relegation danger and improve their fortunes in the second half of the season.
