Ipswich Town 2-1 Fulham - Match Report

Ipswich Town 2-1 Fulham - Match ReportSaturday, 10th Oct 2026 17:06

Late, late goals from Abdoul Ouattara and skipper Dara O’Shea saw Town stage a remarkable turnaround to beat still winless Fulham 2-1 at Portman Road. The Whites went ahead in the 55th minute through Ryan Sessegnon’s low 25-yarder, but Ouattara’s brilliant strike on 88 and O’Shea’s header in the first minute of injury time grabbed all three points for the Blues, who move up to ninth in the Premier League table.

Town made three changes from the team which lost 1-0 at Everton before the international break with Florentino Luis, Jaden Philogene and Daizen Maeda coming into the XI.

Florentino was handed his full league debut for the Blues in the centre of midfield with Exequiel Palacios on the bench having returned from international duty with Argentina late in the week.

Maeda was wide on the right with Abdul Fatawu suspended following his red card at Everton with Philogene, making his first league start of the season, on the left and Jack Clarke also among the subs, as was, for the first time this season, Azor Matusiwa.

Fulham made two changes from the side which drew 1-1 with Manchester United prior to the hiatus, with Sessegnon and Kenny Tete coming in to the team as the full-backs for Antonee Robinson, who missed out on a place in the squad, and Timothy Castagne, who was among the subs.

Fulham dominated the ball in the early stages but with out threatening, other than a cross from the right which Christian Walton in the Town goal did well to punch well away.

But as the five-minute mark passed, the Blues began to take control, Ouattara wafting a cross over from the right, which was nodded behind for a corner from which the ball scuffed off O’Shea’s head and out to the other flank before being cleared.

On 16, former Whites midfielder Sasa Lukic chased a ball over the top but visitors’ keeper Bernd Leno was off his line quickly to clear, albeit not too convincingly.

Ouattara quickly won the ball back not far outside the Fulham area to the right and fed Julio Enciso, who struck a low shot not too far past Leno’s left post.

In the 19th minute, Lukic dispossessed Oscar Bobb midway inside the Cottagers’ half, before taking it on and feeding Philogene, whose low shot from an angle was too close to Leno.

Soon after, Leif Davis was shown the game’s first yellow card for a foul on Josh King, much to the left-back’s frustration as he had won the ball, although by poking a boot between the Fulham forward’s legs.

There was a scare for the Blues in the 21st minute when O’Shea gifted possession on the right as he sought to clear from the byline, Bobb bringing it in and crossing with the ball looping up off Lukic’s sliding challenge and Ouattara heading out at the far post. From the corner, David Affengruber nodded wide at the back post.

Fulham had got back on top following Town’s spell in charge and in the 24th minute Sessengnon nodded wide at the far post from a looping cross from the right.

Moments later, Enciso played Maeda in with a lofted ball down the middle, but the Japanese international lost his footing as he took it down when through on goal inside the box and the danger was gone.

On 27, Sander Berge smashed a free-kick into Lukic in the Town wall from 25 yards, a VAR check for handball going in the Blues’ favour.

As the game reached the half-hour mark, a long spell of Whites possession ended with Berge being found in space in the area on the right by Bobb from where he struck a shot which Walton did well to bat over.

In the 35th minute, Ouattara sent Maeda away on the right, but the former Celtic man’s cross was too far in front of his teammates.

A minute later, the Japanese international again got beyond Fulham left-back Sessengnon down the right and once again crossed too early for those bursting down the middle.

Two minutes later, Berge played in Gonzalo Garcia making a run into the Town area unchecked from the left, but the Spanish international shanked his shot wide of the near post from a promising position.

On 40, Enciso played a clever pass forward for Maeda on the edge of the box but the Japanese international’s first touch on the half-turn let him down and the ball ran to safety.

Four minutes later, Maeda lost Sessengnon and the former Spurs man was found on the edge of the area but his shot curled wide of Walton’s left post. Soon after, King was booked for catching O’Shea late, although replays suggested the Fulham forward had lost his footing.

That was the last action of a half in which the visitors had seen most of the ball and had the better of the few chances - Walton had made the only significant save - but with Town also very much in it and having had opportunities to cause the visitors greater danger had better decisions been taken or passes received more comfortably.

Five minutes after the restart, Emersonn was fouled not far outside the area, but Davis’s curled free-kick was well over, much to the frustration of the North Stand.

Fulham claimed a penalty soon afterwards when Shea Charles burst into the area and went to ground but without any contact. Town broke quickly and Cottagers’ skipper Calvin Bassey was booked for hauling down Emersonn, the Nigerian international and his teammates protesting about both that decision and the penalty.

On 54, the Whites again appealed for a spot-kick after King had cut back from the right to Garcia, whose shot was diverted wide by Issa Diop. It had struck the former Whites defender’s arm and flew wide but when it was very much in a natural position at his side.

Fulham won two more corners following that flag-kick and from the third, they went in front. The ball was cleared to Sessegnon, who took a touch and struck a low shot which flew through a crowd of players and into the corner of the net.

Three minutes after going behind, Town were inches away from levelling. Enciso curled a cross towards the far post from the left and Emersonn’s flicked header hit the woodwork.

The game was opening up and Fulham twice went close, Bobb shooting well over when found in space on the right of the box, then Garcia headed tamely to Walton from Bobb’s cross from the right.

Town made their first changes in the 63rd minute, Clarke taking over from Philogene, who had been in and out of his first Premier League start following his summer injury issues, and Palacios coming on for Florentino.

On 69, Enciso won a free-kick not far outside the area to the right and wafted it to the far post where it fell to Diop, the defender’s shot appearing to deflect wide but referee Lewis Smith awarding a goal-kick.

Town made a second double change in the 71st minute, Zian Flemming and Chuba Akpom replacing Emersonn and Enciso, while the visitors swapped Manuel Angel for Charles.

The Blues began to put Fulham under pressure, Maeda cutting across the six-yard box from the right but with no one on hand to add the final touch.

Then an over-hit Clarke cross from the left was kept in on the right, Maeda knocking inside towards Flemming but a Fulham player got a toe in ahead of the Dutchman.

On 76, the Blues, who were increasing the pressure on a visiting side now content to sit in and protect their lead, had a very strong claim for a penalty.

Maeda got round the outside of Sessegnon on the right and was clipped as he broke into the area. Referee Smith showed no interest and VAR opted against changing his decision, despite replays appearing to show contact on the Japan international inside the area, although with the challenge perhaps viewed to have started outside the box.

Fulham made two more changes, Kevin and Rodrigo Muniz replacing Bobb and King, then in the 81st minute Sindre Walle Egeli took over from Maeda, who had caused problems throughout, although may feel he ought to have done better in some situations.

Three minutes later, Angel was booked for blatantly hauling back Ouattara, again very impressive at right-back, with the Ivorian breaking forward.

Town continued to put the Fulham goal under pressure and in the 86th minute Walle Egeli hit a shot from a tight angle on the right, which Leno palmed away to the far post to Davis at the back post and the former Leeds man’s ball back across was squeezed away from Akpom. On 87, the visitors swapped the excellent Alex Iwobi for Emile Smith Rowe.

The Blues had all too often kept passing to find a way through without taking a shot from distance but in the 89th minute, Ouattara did precisely that and found the equaliser. Bassey’s clearing header reached the summer signing from Strasbourg, who took a touch inside before smashing a brilliant strike past Leno to the keeper’s right and into the net to send Portman Road wild.

And two minutes after levelling, Town won it. Clarke lifted a free-kick into the area from the left and O’Shea powered a header into the net at the near post before celebrating ecstatically in the corner in front of the West Stand.

Fulham appealed for offside but a VAR check upheld the goal, O’Shea’s first for Town in the Premier League and first at Portman Road.

The Whites looked to get back on terms and went very close in the 94th minute, Kevin hitting a low shot from the right of the area which Walton did very well to save with his outstretched left leg.

A minute later, Smith Rowe was booked for a foul on Akpom as the Blues looked to break away after eventually managing to force the ball away from their own area as the visitors sought to put the pressure on.

After Walton had been booked for holding up a restart by not returning the ball, referee Smith confirmed the Blues’ third Premier league win of the season and their second at home.

Despite having put the Whites under significant pressure after going behind, Town had looked on their way to defeat having forced few saves from Leno until Ouattara’s brilliant first goal in English football.

They then followed it up with O’Shea’s header, completing a very memorable week for the Irishman, whose partner gave birth last weekend.

It always looked like a game which would be won by a single goal either way with Fulham having appeared the most likely to do so, and very much in the driving seat once they had gone in front.

But Town, up to ninth, pulled off the type of comeback which became commonplace in the Kieran McKenna era and is becoming increasingly familiar under Gary O’Neil.

And also the sort of win in what already looks like being a six-pointer which will give the team and the support confidence for the season ahead.

Fulham, who last beat the in the top flight in December 1963, their famous 10-1 thrashing, are second-bottom ahead of Spurs on goal difference.

The Blues, who have already equalled their home wins tally from their last Premier League campaign two years ago, are next in action against Manchester City at the Etihad next Saturday.

Town: Walton, Ouattara, O’Shea (c), Diop, Davis, Florentino (Palacios 63), Lukic, Maeda (Walle Egeli 81), Philogene (Clarke 63), Enciso (Akpom 71), Emersonn (Flemming 71). Unused: Scherpen, Furlong, Matusiwa, Greaves.

Fulham: Leno, Tete, Bassey (c), Affengruber, Sessegnon, Berge, Charles (Angel 71), Bobb (Kevin 76), King (Muniz 76), Iwobi (Smith Rowe 77), Garcia. Unused: Lecomte, Andersen, Palacios, Larsson, Castagne. Referee: Lewis Smith (Lancashire), Assistants: Scott Ledger, Akil Howson. Fourth official: John Busby. VAR: James Bell. Assistant VAR: Alex Chilowicz. Att: 29,445.

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Great result, not the best performance but we hung in there and got our reward. What an equaliser - he was MotM!

It turns out Fulham are in their correct league position

Fully deserved in my opinion. Great comeback, Great character, and Great confidence booster. Every player on the pitch did their bit.

Superb performance from Town. The bottom line for me is....The best team won. All 3 points thoroughly deserved.

Another win from a losing position for GON. We are lucky to have a manager who can do that

Bloody brilliant. Comeback was class and not to forget Walton’s save in the first half and 93rd minute - saved us two points.

This is premier league mentality! COYB!

What a come back!! Always happy when town win and Norwich lose

The PL is great isn't it! Enjoyed that, fast paced, energetic game of football. A world away from the Championship garbage. I thought Fulham had the edge in the first half, but curiously after they scored, there was pretty much only one team in it, and it wasn't them.

Certainly some real positives from that. I thought Diop was terrific, my MOM and O'Shea not far behind. The difference Palacios and Clarke made when they came on was immense. EP is a class act, you can give him the ball in tight areas and 9 times out of 10 he'll retain it and keep things moving. A word too for CW for that vital late save with his foot, hadn't had much to do but kept his concentration to the very end. Nice little late cameo from SWE too and in the position I don't want to see him in! Maeda worked his socks off and I don't know how he didn't get a penalty, having seen it very close up. Fortunately it didn't matter. Even Chuba came on and put himself about. A banger of a goal from a solid Outarra too.

We have a squad that doesn't give up, that alone can earn you valuable points during the season. So onwards to the Etihad, should be interesting!

Just travelling home on the train Very poor from us for most of the first 85 minutes and didn’t look like scoring except Emerson hitting the post from close range Great resolve to get back in it with a great equaliser and even better celebration And then the winner We’re the late goal specialists In my opinion the game changed when Palacios came on and didn’t give the ball away Jack Clarke also added energy and Ouattara enjoy your first goal in English football Important 3 points to give us confidence going forward To be honest Fulham were the better of two poor teams for 80 minutes COYB

Excellent comeback win - potentially a poor result to a great one. Not much between the sides for large parts of the game although they had more chances than what we did but we kept going and the subs I felt made an impact.

Ouattara MOTM for me, good at Everton and even better in this game, fantastic goal and other mentions to Maeda (just needs something to go for him), O'Shea, Palacios (making a difference in midfield) and Lukic.

Never die spirit showing in a number of games...that's 4 late goals we've scored to date, well done lads.

9th in the Premier League in October! Hull v Everton tomorrow and / or Coventry v Newcastle on Monday can move us below. What a start! There is already an "impressive" (Martyn Pert's word in the stands after Sunderland apparently) amount of team cohesion, awareness and moves straight off the training ground and group analysis. We have a few who are beginning to look the part, a few who are still getting there. And Palacios different class - not the first Argentinian we have had Butch, so get down to PR!

Well, I must confess I sat there thinking the game was up … that will teach me! What an end to the game! Performance today wasn’t the best, but equally thought we should have had a penalty and then the never give up attitude resulted in, my opinion, a deserved win. Well done all. We simply didn’t give up.

Nine points on the board and takes the pressure off next week against Manchester City. 9 points is nearly a quarter of the way to survival and after next weekend we have a few winnable games and chances to pick up points. More to come from this team and well done GON.

Pleasing Saturday evening!

The big difference now is having a Premier League squad which two years ago we sadly didn’t have. To have a World Cup winner as substitute evidence of that It is a 90+ minute game …fabulous first goal , Captains goal a winner. Yes the first 80 minutes suggested maybe not , but roared on by Windmill O Neill and good substitutions earned victory against Fulham who fell back too far . And for first time Maeda today showed why he was the best player in Scotland for two years.

Positive substitutions, we showed some character and the end got our reward, two years ago we would have faded out and lost the game

We did what we had to do ! Wasnt looking like we would ,until subs came on imo brilliant turnaround when all looked lost.We are certainly showing we can survive if we keep these fighting performances.up.Walton showed he is still number 1 imo COYB

That used to happen to us two years ago. Three times now it has been us winning it from the bench. That is progress.

Wow what a finish. This felt like a game of chess, stalemate until the second half. Made a mistake then found a strategy to win . I am not sure if GON was hoping to catch Fulham in the last quarter as Crystal Palace did . A better team would have punished us . The Prem is tough a well earned 3 points Well done lads .

Amazing result! Showed great girt, self belief and determination to get the result.

Good manager Kieran but we wouldn't have won that game today with him in charge, Good tactical changes,

Best team won, poor first half from both teams, but I thought Palacios changed the game by injecting more grit and leadership in the middle.