Bournemouth 1-2 Ipswich: Liam Delap scores as Kieran McKenna’s side end winless run

• Nathan Broadhead and Liam Delap scored as Ipswich overcame Bournemouth 
• Evanilson netted for Bournemouth but Ipswich secured all three points 
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By AADAM PATEL

In all probability, it should be too much of a mountain to climb but this was the kind of spirited display that will give Ipswich Town the faintest glimmer of hope that they could well pull off the mother of all escapes.

Kieran McKenna’s side travelled to Bournemouth as the only professional side in English football yet to win a league game in 2025 and put in an inspired display with goals from Nathan Broadhead and Liam Delap enough to give them their first victory of the year.

‘The result and the performance typifies the character in the group,’ said McKenna. We certainly still have a chance of staying up,’ the Ipswich boss insisted.

It put his side nine points behind 17th-placed Wolves – who travel to Portman Road on Saturday – and if Ipswich play like they did last night, then there is every chance that deficit could be six, with seven to go.

‘We know it’s a big week. Our focus is doing everything we can,’ added McKenna.

For Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth, defeat made it just one point in their last five games and in their quest for European football, this dire run may prove to be the reason why they miss out.

Liam Delap was on the scoresheet as Ipswich secured a 2-1 victory away to Bournemouth

Delap found the net on the hour mark to make it 2-0 to Ipswich at the Vitality Stadium

Nathan Broadhead celebrates after his goal put Ipswich in the lead in the 34th minute

Broadhead’s goal put Ipswich in the ascendancy in their clash against Bournemouth 

Evanilson managed to get a goal back but Bournemouth still fell to a defeat against Ipswich

Kieran McKenna’s side remain well short of safety but this victory will give them confidence

There was frustration for Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola as his team were beaten

MATCH FACTS 

Bournemouth: Kepa, Smith (Adams 46), Zabarnyi (Jebbison 87), Huijsen, Kerkez, Christie (Senesi 58), Cook, Ouattara, Scott (Brooks 58), Semenyo, Evanilson

Subs: Dennis, Soler, Hill, Winterburn, Silcott-Duberry 

Goal: Evanilson 67 

Booked: Huijsen 

Ipswich: Palmer, Tuanzebe, O’Shea, Burgess, Townsend, Morsy (Phillips 82), Cajuste, Johnson (Philogene 90), Enciso (Clarke 72), Broadhead (Taylor 72), Delap (Hirst 72)

Subs: Walton, Woolfenden, Chaplin, Greaves

Goals: Broadhead 34, Delap 60 

Booked: Townsend, Philogene

 

‘We have to recover,’ Iraola stressed. ‘These tough moments are where teams are built.’

Unsurprisingly, Bournemouth dominated possession but the absence of top-scorer Justin Kluivert, who was ruled out due to injury, was clear and against the run of play, the visitors took a shock first-half lead.

Julio Enciso made a terrific run through the middle and played the ball into the path of Broadhead, who made no mistake, sitting down Dean Huijsen and slotting past Kepa Arrizabalaga.

On the hour mark, Ipswich doubled their lead on the counter, with Delap playing a lovely one-two with Conor Townsend before finishing ruthlessly for his 11th goal of the season.

And though Evanilson pulled one back for Bournemouth in the 67th minute, the Tractor Boys held firm for only their fourth league win of the season – one they have been waiting for since December.

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Bournemouth 1-2 Ipswich: Liam Delap scores as Kieran McKenna’s side end winless run

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