The first home win boosts Town’s chances

Ipswich found their first home win of the Premier League season at the 10th time of asking when they saw off Chelsea at Portman Road.

Liam Delap won and converted a first-half penalty before Blues debutant Omari Hutchinson headed in a second.

Chelsea had their chances, with Cole Palmer twice hitting the woodwork and Joao Felix having a goal ruled out for offside.

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But Enzo Maresca’s side could not find a way past Christian Walton on his return to the Ipswich goal and missed the chance to finish second in the table.

There is now just one point from three games for Chelsea, who stuttered through the festive period and remain fourth.

Ipswich climb above Leicester but remain in the relegation zone in 18th, but they are now just one point behind Wolves and two behind Everton.

Delap has been a shining light for Ipswich this season and did well to get to a pass in the box in front of Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen, although the contact looked light.

The striker buried the penalty, Ipswich’s first in the top flight since November 2001.

Palmer saw a free-kick hit the post and Walton’s shot deflected onto the crossbar before his cross was well finished by Felix. However, the Portuguese was offside.

And Ipswich stole a second on the break after Axel Disasi lost the ball, Delap followed it up and found Hutchinson for a smart reverse finish.

Chelsea finished the night with 20 shots, but failed to score in back-to-back league games away from home for the first time in more than five years.