Ipswich's Late Drama Against Everton: A Match Review

Ipswich have made a habit of leaving it late this season. Last-gasp winners against Sunderland and Crystal Palace had their travelling support at Hill Dickinson Stadium believing there might be one more twist when the fourth official signalled seven added minutes.

They almost got it.

Zian Flemming, the match-winner against Palace, came off the bench with the script seemingly written for him again. The chance arrived deep into stoppage time, the ball sitting up invitingly. He leant back and lashed at it. Too high. Too wild. The moment was gone.

Ipswich, down to 10 men after Abdul Fatawu’s dismissal midway through the second half, still refused to retreat. Even their centre-half almost turned unlikely hero. Right at the death, Issa Diop surged forward and found space in the box, only to see his goal-bound effort smothered by a desperate, joint block from Jarrad Branthwaite and James Garner.

For Gary O'Neil, there was frustration, but also a measure of pride.

Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, fresh from his latest inclusion in Thomas Tuchel's England squad, had to work hard for his clean sheet. Ipswich went at Everton with real intent before the red card, forcing Pickford into four excellent saves and dragging the hosts into a scrap they did not want.

The dismissal changed the rhythm. Reduced to 10, Ipswich were pushed back, legs tiring, but O'Neil still urged them on from the touchline. It has been a harrowing week for the manager after the death of his father, yet his players mirrored his defiance, chasing an equaliser until the final whistle.

They did not find it. The chase, ultimately, brought nothing tangible.

But as the league pauses for a three-week international break, O'Neil can look at the table and see his side on six points from their first five matches back in the top flight. No early crisis. No panic. Just a team learning fast, competing hard, and giving themselves a platform to build on when the season restarts.