Bournemouth 1-2 Ipswich: Liam Delap scores as Kieran McKenna’s side end winless run

In all probability, it will be a little too late but this was the kind of spirited display that will give Ipswich the faintest glimmer of hope that they could well pull off the mother of all escapes.

Kieran McKenna’s side travelled to Bournemouth as the only professional side in English football yet to win a league game in 2025 and put in an inspired performance with goals from Nathan Broadhead and Liam Delap enough to give the Tractor Boys their first victory of the calendar year.

It put them nine points behind 17th-placed Wolves – who travel to Portman Road on Saturday – and if Ipswich play like they did against one of the most impressive sides in the division in Bournemouth, then there is every chance that deficit could be six, with seven games to go.

For Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth, defeat made it just one point in their last five games and in their quest for European football, this dire run may prove to be the reason why they miss out.

Unsurprisingly it was the home side who dominated possession from the outset but the absence of top-scorer Justin Kluivert, who was ruled out pre-match due to injury, was clear.

Against the run of play, the visitors took a shock lead just after the hour mark.

Delap did well to hold the ball up and find Julio Enciso, who made a terrific run and played the ball into the path of Broadhead and the Welshman made no mistake, sitting down Dean Huijsen and slotting past Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Iraola made three changes before the hour mark as his side upped the ante but Ipswich capitalised on the counter.

Delap got on the end of a long ball and played a lovely one-two with Conor Townsend before finishing brilliantly for his 11th goal of the season.

And though Evanilson pulled one back for Bournemouth in the 67th minute. Ipswich held firm for only their fourth league win of the season.