Chelsea title hopes dented, falls 0-2 at Ipswich

Liam Delap’s exceptional goal-scoring display helped Ipswich earn their first home win of the season as Chelsea’s title hopes dwindled.

After scoring a 12th-minute penalty, the 21-year-old striker set up former Chelsea winger Omari Hutchinson’s second eight minutes after the break.

Chelsea dominated possession but were wasteful and the video assistant referee (VAR) ruled out a Joao Felix first-half equaliser after a long check for offside.

Earlier, ex-Manchester City striker Delap powered in a penalty that he won himself after VAR judged that there was “sufficient contact” by goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen after the Ipswich man had dribbled past him.

Delap later capitalised on Axel Disasi’s poor back pass to set up Hutchinson to make it 2-0.

Ipswich’s win puts them above Leicester City into 18th and just one point behind Wolves in the table as they look to move out of the bottom three.

Chelsea have now lost consecutive matches following the goalless draw at Everton that ended an eight-match winning run in all competitions, and they remain fourth in the Premier League.

Enzo Maresca’s men are 10 points behind league leaders Liverpool – with Arne Slot’s pace-setters also having a game in hand – leaving a sustained title challenge looking unlikely.

It was perhaps surprising that the best forward on the pitch played for Ipswich.

Amid increasing transfer rumours linking him to Chelsea and other big English clubs, Delap stole the show and several chances from from open play saved by Jorgensen.

What was most impressive, however, was how he ran Chelsea centre-backs Levi Colwill and Tosin Adarabioyo ragged.

His ability to hold up the ball and release pressure by carrying a real threat on the break stood out

Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna might struggle to keep hold of Delap if he keeps up these performances, despite only signing him from Manchester City in the summer.

Not only did Ipswich have the best forward on the pitch, but arguably the second- and third-best – as both goalscorer Hutchinson and Nathan Broadhead also played well.

Meanwhile, Chelsea may feel an increased need to sign a striker in January after scoring just once in the past three matches.

This was a reality check for Chelsea and Maresca’s declaration two weeks ago – when his side were second and two points behind Liverpool – that the Blues were not ready to win the league this season is now looking correct.

The Italian manager’s focus will likely switch to securing qualification for the Champions League.

But to avoid falling further down the table, the Blues must look at how they were physically dominated.

After gaining advantages by rotating his team for league and cup matches, the busy Christmas period has levelled the playing field for Chelsea’s opponents.

Key players such as Cole Palmer and Moises Caicedo are unable to be rested, while Felix, Disasi, Jorgensen and Christopher Nkunku all struggled when drafted in.

It is never a good look to be outrun and outbattled and attacking substitutes Nicolas Jackson, Pedro Neto and Jadon Sancho made no difference in a hot-headed end to the match, where Chelsea lost their heads and picked up a spate of yellow cards.