Ipswich Town managed to secure a 1-0 victory against Bristol City, despite enduring significant second-half pressure. This win extended their unbeaten streak and increased their lead over the pursuing teams in the Championship.
Ipswich Town made an early breakthrough as Nathan Broadhead unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the area into the net. However, they couldn’t manage to double their lead as Bristol City gained momentum, resulting in a tense finish at Ashton Gate.
Bristol City initially had the upper hand, appearing more formidable than Town. Town, after a three-week break, seemed somewhat rusty. Sam Bell, especially, caused numerous issues down the left side.
Nonetheless, Ipswich gradually started to assert themselves. A swift combination between Kayden Jackson and Conor Chaplin was thwarted by Rob Dickie. Mark Sykes then carried the ball up the field, delivering a cross to Tommy Conway, who headed it into the hands of Hladky in the 10th minute.
Ipswich continued to press and won a throw-in on the right three minutes later. Chaplin and George Hirst worked together to pass the ball to Massimo Luongo, who found space to take a shot on goal. His attempt forced an impressive diving save from Max O’Leary.
Nevertheless, O’Leary had no chance when Nathan Broadhead received the ball in the 16th minute. Luongo’s pass to Hirst was quickly relayed to the Welsh international, allowing him to launch a fierce shot at goal, which seemed to bypass everyone and give Town the lead.
The game’s tempo dropped from that point. Ipswich controlled possession without a concerted push forward, while Bristol City’s press considerably diminished. Taylor Gardner-Hickman made an attempt from distance just before the half-hour mark, but Hladky, the Czech goalkeeper, stood firm to thwart him.
The most significant chance came just before half-time with a rapid counterattack. Chaplin set Leif Davis free. His cross, however, was subpar but cleared only as far as Sam Morsy, whose shot hit the goalpost.
In the first moments after halftime, the Blues had a good opportunity to increase their lead when Cameron Burgess delivered a long through ball to Hirst. The striker challenged O’Leary for the ball but collided with him, allowing Chaplin to scoop the rebound over the bar.
Play could only resume after a lengthy period of treatment for the striker, during which the game’s tempo fell back to what it had been in the middle of the first half.
A foul by Morsy on the edge of the area provided Bristol City with a lifeline, with Town’s skipper avoiding a second yellow card. Bell took the set piece and fired a low shot straight into Hladky’s gloves, which he managed to hold onto.
Nevertheless, the Robins began to find space, forcing Ipswich into a series of rash challenges as they grew tired. Rob Dickie headed over the bar from a free-kick in the 72nd minute, following a double substitution by Kieran McKenna, introducing Omari Hutchinson and Marcus Harness.
Hutchinson came close to making an immediate impact, collecting the ball on the right, dribbling past Gardner-Hickman, and firing wide of the target.
Ipswich came perilously close to relinquishing their lead as substitute Harry Cornick dashed down the right side. His initial cross was cleared to Davis, who hesitated, allowing the former Luton striker to regain possession.
He took another shot, striking the post as the ball bounced off Hladky and nearly rolled over the line. Brandon Williams had to rush in to clear the ball just seconds before Bristol City could force it across the line.
With six minutes of added time, Nigel Pearson’s squad pushed aggressively for an equalizer but couldn’t break through, enabling Ipswich to secure another three points.
Ipswich Town Lineup (Formation 4-2-3-1): Hladky; Williams; Woolfenden, Burgess, Davis; Morsy, Luongo; Jackson (Hutchinson 70′), Chaplin (Taylor 78′), Broadhead (Harness 70′); Hirst (Scarlett 78′)
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