It was a cruel and heartbreaking defeat for Ipswich, who were left devastated after Dango Ouattara’s last-minute winner gave Bournemouth a 2-1 victory at Portman Road. The home side had fought hard, with Conor Chaplin’s first-half strike putting them in the lead, but they were undone by a late equalizer from Enes Unal and Ouattara’s dramatic winner in the 95th minute.
For Ipswich, this loss felt like a blow after their recent string of setbacks. The ride to the Premier League may have been thrilling, but the harsh realities of staying in the top flight were becoming apparent. Bournemouth, despite being dominated in possession, never gave up and seized their chance in the dying moments. As Ipswich faltered after Bournemouth’s equalizer, the away side capitalized, slicing through their defense with surgical precision, leaving the Ipswich crowd in stunned silence.
The match began with both teams playing high-risk football, not shying away from attacking in the face of Storm Darragh’s fierce winds. Ipswich looked promising, with Leif Davis and Omari Hutchinson offering pace and creativity, while Bournemouth’s Justin Kluivert and Antoine Semenyo added flair to their attacks. But it was Ipswich who struck first, as Cameron Burgess laid the ball off to Chaplin, who calmly slotted it home to give the home side the lead. Ipswich continued to press, with Burgess and Hutchinson having chances, but it was Bournemouth who slowly started to dominate the game.
Bournemouth’s persistence paid off in the second half, as they continued to pile pressure on Ipswich’s defense. Despite Ipswich’s efforts to hold on, Bournemouth’s attacking players—Semenyo, Delap, and Szmodics—created multiple chances, forcing Ipswich’s defense into last-ditch tackles and clearances. The equalizer eventually came when Unal pounced on a rebound following a scramble in Ipswich’s box.
With the game seemingly heading for a draw, disaster struck for Ipswich in the dying seconds. Arijanet Muric’s hasty clearance put the ball in Bournemouth’s path, and when Burgess failed to clear, Ouattara was there to fire home the winner. Ipswich’s bitter disappointment was clear as McKenna stood motionless on the sideline. However, the applause from the home fans showed that the support for Ipswich remains strong, despite the crushing loss.
Bournemouth’s late victory not only broke Ipswich hearts but also showcased their resilience and ability to capitalize on moments of pressure. As Ipswich face further challenges in their Premier League journey, Bournemouth will take immense satisfaction from this dramatic win.
