Premier League match report: Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Ipswich Town

Two first-half goals from Sammie Szmodics and Liam Delap put the Blues into a healthy lead, and while Rodrigo Bentancur was able to half the deficit, it wasn't enough to help his side launch a comeback. Town held on for a memorable victory - one which takes them out of the drop zone ahead of the November international break.

It was Ipswich who tried to draw first blood in the game, pushing forward in the second minute as Szmodics’ hooked pass picked out Omari Hutchinson down the right. His delivery picked out Szmodics, who forced a save from Gugliermo Vicario from a tight angle.

Cameron Burgess hit the crossbar from a header early on in the game (Image: Ross Halls)

The resulting corner from Leif Davis met the head of Dara O’Shea, who seemingly saw his effort deflected behind by a Tottenham player, although referee Darren England awarded a corner.

Up the other end, a quick link-up between Destiny Udogie and Son Hueng-min allowed the latter to deliver a cross which Brennan Johnson prodded just wide of the post in third minute.

Set pieces have been a clear weakness for the hosts this season, and with O’Shea almost punishing them at the start of the game, Cameron Burgess came close in the ninth minute as he headed Davis’ delivery onto the crossbar. Son was able to counter, carrying the ball up the other end of the pitch before Johnson blasted an effort over the crossbar.

Sammie Szmodics' overhead kick fired Town ahead (Image: Ross Halls)

The two sides shared possession as the clock ticked towards the 20th minute, with no concrete chances until a quick ball over the top allowed Dominic Solanke to test Arijanet Muric, with the shot-stopper pushing his shot behind for a corner, which Ipswich cleared.

But Ipswich were clearly happy with how the game was going, and they were even happier when they took the lead in the 31st minute as Ben Johnson and Jens Cajuste combined with some neat play down the right. The midfielder’s cross was headed on as Liam Delap and Cristian Romero challenged for the ball, with Szmodics firing an overhead kick into the bottom corner to make it 0-1.

Tottenham’s attacking quality was clear, and Town needed to cut out the errors to keep them out. A poor pass out from Muric was chased down by Pape Matar Sarr, but Ben Johnson was able to keep the ball in before picking out Hutchinson. The attacker shrugged off a challenge from Bentancur before playing Leif Davis down the left.

Liam Delap doubled the Blues' advantage before half time (Image: PA)

The left-back, in turn, set up Szmodics, who played a ball into the box that Vicario pushed out to Romero. The centre-back wasn’t expecting it, but Delap was, allowing the striker to run in and smash the ball into the roof of the net to make it 0-2 in the 43rd minute.

Spurs came out strong after the break, having been booed off beforehand. A corner saw them turn the ball into the net through Solanke, but the replays showed that he kicked it onto his own arm while being held off by Davis, with VAR chalking it off. Town deserved one in their favour and this was the right decision.

The Blues managed the game well. Delap's battling work in the final third saw them keep the ball in Tottenham's half. When Ange Postecoglou's side did get forward, they were limited to long-range efforts. They claimed a handball when Pedro Porro's cross hit Davis, but it came off his chest and was outside the box, which VAR confirmed.

Rodrigo Bentancur got a goal back from a corner (Image: PA)

Spurs' goal did come, however, as Ipswich switched off from a corner just before making a double substitution. Porro's corner found the head of Bentancur, who fired in from the near post to half his side's deficit in the 69th minute.

It set up a nervy finale. Tottenham have a good record of coming from behind to take points, and they were piling on the pressure in search of an equaliser. The announcement of eight minutes of added time was met with a roar from the home fans.

In the end, it wasn't enough for them, however, with Ipswich fans cheering the final whistle like a goal as they secured their first win of the campaign.

Tottenham XI: 4-3-3: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Dragusin, Udogie; Kulusevski, Bentancur (Bissouma 84'), Sarr (Werner 66'); Johnson (Maddison 84'), Solanke, Son

Town XI: 3-4-2-1: Muric; Tuanzebe, O’Shea, Burgess; Johnson, Morsy, Cajuste (Luongo 90+2'); Davis; Hutchinson, Szmodics (J. Clarke 70'); Delap (Hirst 70')

Attendance: 61,505