Ipswich Town picked up their first point of the Premier League campaign after playing out an entertaining 1-1 draw at home to Fulham.
This was the first top-flight meeting between the two clubs since January 2002, and the crackling atmosphere inside the stadium contributed to a high-octane start to the game.
Ipswich started the brighter of the two teams and opened the scoring early on through Liam Delap‘s superb strike from just outside the box, and despite Bernd Leno getting fingertips to the shot, it was simply too hot to handle.
Their lead did not last long though, as Adama Traore equalised with a neat finish at the back post after a flowing Fulham move.
The second half was more scrappy in nature, with fouls and breaks in play disrupting the same rhythm that we saw from both sides in the first half.
Ipswich and Fulham still continued to create chances as the game neared its climax, but solid defending from both sides kept the score at 1-1.
In the end, both sides had to settle for a point that lifts Ipswich into 16th in the table and sees Fulham climb to 11th.
IPSWICH VS. FULHAM HIGHLIGHTS
15th min: Ipswich 1-0 Fulham (Liam Delap)
Ipswich’s bright start is rewarded in style, as they break the deadlock and score their first home Premier League goal since April 2002.
It’s a quick counter-attack down the left as Leif Davis intercepts a sloppy pass and finds Delap just inside the Fulham half, and the striker charges towards goal before unleashing a fierce right-footed strike into the top corner from the edge of the box.
32nd min: Ipswich 1-1 Fulham (Adama Traore)
Fulham equalise after neat interplay between Antonee Robinson and Alex Iwobi down the left flank, and the American left-back whips in a delightful cross from the byline for Traore to tap home at the far post.
Game on at Portman Road!
MAN OF THE MATCH – ADAMA TRAORE
© Imago
The powerful and rapid winger was a constant threat throughout the game, and he was a thorn in the side of Ipswich left-back Davis.
His well-taken goal showed terrific composure too, as he raced in from the far post to tuck away Robinson’s neat byline cross.
While Omari Hutchinson was a consideration for Man of the Match, Traore’s all-round performance and neat finish rounded off a strong display from the Spanish winger.
IPSWICH VS. FULHAM MATCH STATS
Possession: Ipswich 49%-51% Fulham
Shots: Ipswich 11-9 Fulham
Shots on target: Ipswich 4-4 Fulham
Corners: Ipswich 8-6 Fulham
Fouls: Ipswich 15-15 Fulham
WHAT NEXT?
The games do not get easier for Ipswich as they travel to high-flying Brighton & Hove Albion after the international break, while Fulham will play host to West Ham United a London derby.