Tottenham Hotspur continued their impressive run in the Premier League with a dominant 4-1 victory over Ipswich Town at Portman Road. The win, which marked their tenth of the season, saw Spurs put in a thoroughly professional performance that demonstrated their attacking prowess and ability to see out the game. Despite Ipswich’s spirited fightback, Tottenham‘s quality shone through, with key players such as Brennan Johnson and Son Heung-min contributing to an emphatic victory.
Tottenham’s Electric Start
The game got off to a frantic start as both teams created early chances. Ipswich had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the opening minutes when a Liam Delap header crashed back off the bar following a goalmouth scramble. However, Tottenham quickly settled into the game and took control. In the 18th minute, they broke the deadlock when Brennan Johnson tapped in from close range after a brilliant long ball from Archie Gray and a precise cut-back from Son Heung-min. The goal was a result of sharp passing and good movement off the ball, showing Tottenham’s offensive quality.
Just minutes later, Johnson was on hand again to double Spurs’ lead. This time, he found himself in the right place at the right time, collecting a well-weighted pass from Son and guiding the ball into the back of the net. His brace put Spurs in a commanding position, and it seemed like they would run away with the game. Johnson’s clinical finishing and smart positioning made him the standout player in the first half.
Ipswich’s Response
Ipswich, despite being down by two goals, showed resilience and attacked with intent. They were rewarded for their efforts in the 35th minute when Omari Hutchinson scored a stunning strike from outside the box, which reduced the deficit to 2-1. The goal sparked life into Portman Road, and Ipswich began to believe that they could find an equalizer. They pressed forward and had another chance ruled out for offside when Luke Woolfenden found the net in the 60th minute, but it was disallowed after a VAR review.
Ipswich’s performance going forward was commendable, with players like Jaden Philogene, Jack Clarke, and Liam Delap offering constant threats to Tottenham’s defense. However, they struggled to break down the Spurs defense, and ultimately, their hopes of a comeback were dashed by Tottenham’s clinical finishing and defensive organization.
Spurs Seal the Victory
Tottenham sealed their victory in the 77th minute when Djed Spence added a third goal for Spurs. The full-back, who had been lively throughout the match, found himself in a good position inside the box and his strike deflected off Woolfenden before finding the back of the net. The goal left Ipswich goalkeeper Alex Palmer with no chance, and with the game all but over, Spurs were in full control.
There was still time for one more goal for Tottenham, and Dejan Kulusevski made sure to finish the game off in style. A well-executed counter-attack saw the Swedish winger curl a delightful effort past Palmer to make it 4-1, securing a second consecutive win for Spurs.
Ipswich Player Ratings (4-2-3-1)
- GK: Alex Palmer – 4.9/10
Palmer had a difficult afternoon, conceding four goals and struggling to keep Tottenham’s attackers at bay. His positioning could have been better for some of the goals. - RB: Ben Godfrey – 5.8/10
Godfrey had a tough time dealing with the pace and skill of Spurs’ attackers, especially Son Heung-min. His defensive performance was not up to par. - CB: Dara O’Shea – 5.6/10
O’Shea found it difficult to cope with the attacking movement of Spurs, and his defensive efforts were not as effective as needed in a game of this magnitude. - CB: Jacob Greaves – 5.7/10
Greaves made some important clearances but was generally caught out by Spurs’ speed and attacking quality. He struggled to deal with the likes of Son and Johnson. - LB: Leif Davis – 6.0/10
Davis had an average performance. While he was solid in defense, he lacked the attacking impetus to provide support to Ipswich’s forward line. - DM: Kalvin Phillips – 6.7/10
Phillips worked hard in the midfield but was often overrun by Spurs’ dominance in possession. He couldn’t offer enough defensive cover to stop Tottenham’s wave of attacks. - DM: Jens Cajuste – 6.2/10
Cajuste had an up-and-down game. He put in a decent shift but struggled to stop Tottenham’s creative players from finding space. - RM: Jaden Philogene – 7.3/10
Philogene was one of Ipswich’s more positive players. He caused Spurs’ defense problems with his pace and skill but couldn’t get on the scoresheet. - AM: Omari Hutchinson – 7.8/10
Hutchinson was Ipswich’s standout performer, scoring a fantastic goal and showing real quality on the ball. He was one of the few players who really troubled Spurs’ defense. - LM: Jack Clarke – 7.6/10
Clarke looked dangerous at times, especially on the counter-attack, but he couldn’t provide the end product needed to trouble Tottenham’s defense. - ST: Liam Delap – 7.1/10
Delap worked hard and came close with a header early in the game. He wasn’t able to get on the scoresheet but made a nuisance of himself to Tottenham’s defenders.
Tottenham Player Ratings (4-2-3-1)
- GK: Guglielmo Vicario – 6.1/10
Vicario had a relatively quiet game, making a few routine saves but was largely untroubled by Ipswich’s attack. - RB: Djed Spence – 7.9/10
Spence was one of the standout performers for Spurs, contributing both defensively and offensively. He scored the third goal and was a constant threat on the right flank. - CB: Kevin Danso – 6.9/10
Danso was solid in defense, dealing well with the physicality of Ipswich’s attackers, though he wasn’t always comfortable with the ball at his feet. - CB: Archie Gray – 6.7/10
Gray was decent at the back, making some key interceptions and clearances. He could have been more aggressive in his challenges at times. - LB: Destiny Udogie – 6.8/10
Udogie was effective going forward but didn’t offer as much defensive stability as Spurs would have liked. He was substituted midway through the second half. - DM: Rodrigo Bentancur – 7.3/10
Bentancur was composed in midfield, distributing the ball well and helping Spurs maintain control of the game. His passing was key to Spurs’ attacking flow. - DM: Lucas Bergvall – 6.6/10
Bergvall was solid in midfield but didn’t have as much of an impact as Bentancur. He was substituted as Spurs made changes to maintain their lead. - RM: Brennan Johnson – 8.7/10
Johnson was by far Tottenham’s best player, scoring two goals and providing constant danger for Ipswich’s defense. His finishing and positioning were clinical. - AM: Dejan Kulusevski – 8.0/10
Kulusevski had a great game, contributing with a goal and creating several chances. His dribbling and vision were key to Spurs’ success. - LM: Son Heung-min – 8.4/10
Son was outstanding, providing two assists and causing Ipswich constant problems with his pace and creativity. He was a constant threat down the left wing. - ST: Mathys Tel – 6.1/10
Tel had a quiet game, not getting too many chances to shine. He worked hard but didn’t manage to get on the scoresheet.
Conclusion
Tottenham Hotspur’s 4-1 victory over Ipswich Town was a well-earned result that showcased the club’s attacking prowess and clinical finishing. The performance of Brennan Johnson was particularly noteworthy, with the winger bagging a brace to propel Spurs to a comfortable win. Ipswich showed some promise going forward, but their defensive fragility ultimately cost them. Tottenham, on the other hand, are continuing their strong season and look like genuine contenders for the top spots in the Premier League.
