Jean-Philippe Mateta powered his way through Ipswich Town’s defense to score the only goal and secure three badly needed points for Crystal Palace at Portman Road on Tuesday.
WATCH — Ipswich v Crystal Palace full match replay
The Eagles (16th - 12 points) were only outside the relegation zone on goal differential at kickoff, but now Oliver Glasner’s side sits two places clear after snapping a four-game winless run. On the flip side, Crystal Palace have only been beaten once in their last six Premier League games (2W-3D-1L).
You have to score goals and win at home to stay in the Premier League
Ipswich ranked bottom of the PL in expected goals (12.3 on the season) coming into matchweek 14, which checks out considering they were one of the four lowest scoring teams (13 goals in 13 games) and have scored multiple goals in a game just three times. To make matters worse, Palace also happen to be one of the three sides with fewer goals (12). This was one that they had to win, because they could. The Tractor Boys also rank joint-bottom in points won at home, and are the only side in the PL without a home win this season (now winless in 7). If you can’t score goals and you can’t grind out wins at home, you’re not going to last long in the Premier League.
Player ratings - Ipswich vs Crystal Palace
What’s next?
- Crystal Palace vs Manchester City — Saturday (10 am ET)
- Ipswich vs Bournemouth — Sunday (9 am ET)
Ipswich vs Crystal Palace live updates - by Andy Edwards
Ipswich vs Crystal Palace final score: 0-1
Goalscorers: Jean-Philippe Mateta (59')
GOAL! Ipswich 0-1 Crystal Palace: Jean-Philippe Mateta too strong for Jacob Greaves (59')
HALFTIME - Ipswich vs Crystal Palace stats
Possession: 49-51
Shots: 3-9
On target: 1-1
Passes: 200-203
xG: 0.21-0.94
Ipswich starting lineup
Muric - Clarke, O’Shea, Greaves, Davis - Morsy, Cajuste, Hutchinson - Burns, Clarke, Delap
Crystal Palace starting lineup
Henderson - Chaloboah, Lacroix, Guehi - Munoz, Hughes, Doucoure, Mitchell - Sarr, Eze, Mateta
How to watch Ipswich vs Crystal Palace live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 2:30pm ET, Tuesday (December 3)
Venue: Portman Road — Ipswich
TV Channel: Peacock Premium
Streaming: Premier League on Peacock
Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich have won just once in their opening 13 games back in the Premier League and lost 1-0 at Nottingham Forest at the weekend. The Tractor Boys always hang in there and make it difficult for their opponents, but they have to start picking up wins, especially at home in games like this, if they want to stay up. Young attackers Liam Delap and Omari Hutchinson are key to their hopes of picking up a long-awaited first home win back in the big time.
Palace scored a last-gasp equalizer at home against Newcastle on Saturday and Oliver Glasner’s side were good value for their 1-1 draw. The Eagles are still struggling to score goals but they look better defensively and have only lost one of their last five games, securing three draws on the trot. Palace need Mateta and Eze to regain their sparkling form at the end of the season if they’re going to climb away from the relegation scrap.
Ipswich team news, focus
OUT: Janoi Donacien (groin), Chiedozie Ogbene (achilles — out for season), George Hirst (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Kalvin Phillips (other), Ben Johnson (knock), Axel Tuanzebe (hamstring)
Crystal Palace team news, focus
OUT: Adam Wharton (groin), Chadi Riad (knee), Rob Holding (undisclosed), Matheus Franca (groin), Daichi Kamada (suspension)
Ipswich vs Crystal Palace prediction
This feels like it will be a tight, tense game and Palace will be happy to sit back and launch counters. Their extra Premier League experience could be key, but Ipswich are the draw specialists and will never give up. Ipswich 1-1 Crystal Palace.
