Sam Morsy’s rare second goal of the season proved pivotal for Ipswich
Under the leadership of Captain Sam Morsy, Ipswich Town reclaimed the Championship summit, outpacing Watford at Vicarage Road. This marked their first return to the top spot since August. The win propelled them two points ahead of Leicester, who have yet to play Millwall, and helped Ipswich cross the 50-point threshold before mid-season, continuing their journey towards consecutive promotions.
Watford initially took the lead thanks to Yaser Asprilla capitalizing on a mistake from Ipswich’s goalkeeper, Vaclav Hladky. However, Ipswich’s George Hirst equalized before the break with a close-range goal.
The match seemed destined for a draw until Morsy intercepted a pass from Wesley Hoedt and deftly navigated the ball past Watford’s goalkeeper Ben Hamer. This goal solidified Ipswich’s fourth consecutive victory and their seventh away win of the season.
The match was part of a lively Tuesday in the EFL, and Ipswich’s triumph has reshuffled the Championship standings.
In a strategic move, Ipswich implemented five new starters from their recent 2-0 victory against Middlesbrough. Meanwhile, Watford’s manager, Valerien Ismael, reinstated Jake Livermore in the midfield lineup.
Despite Watford’s strong performance history, with only one loss in their last ten games, they faced challenges. Ken Sema’s early energetic play down the left resulted in a cross that Mileta Rajovic couldn’t head accurately.
Watford’s opening goal came from a fortuitous moment when Hladky misplayed a clearance, allowing Asprilla to set up Rajovic. Although Hladky partially blocked the initial shot, Asprilla seized the opportunity to score.
Celebrity fans Sir Elton John and Ed Sheeran, representing Watford and Ipswich respectively, added star power to the event. While Sir Elton may have initially been pleased, it was Sheeran who ultimately had more reasons to celebrate.
Omari Hutchinson’s attempt, saved by Hamer, set up Hirst for the equalizer. Hirst’s subsequent goal from a Leif Davis free-kick was disallowed due to a foul.
Watford demonstrated resilience, with Sema almost scoring, and Jamal Lewis’ deflected shot following suit. Despite these efforts, Ipswich defended well against Watford’s corner attack.
A critical mistake by Hoedt, losing the ball near his own box, allowed Morsy to stylishly secure the win for Ipswich, reminiscent of their last encounter in the 2014-15 season.
Looking forward, Ipswich prepares for a heated East Anglian derby against Norwich City at Portman Road, while Watford aims to improve its standing against Preston North End, remaining tenth in the league.
Ipswich’s manager Kieran McKenna expressed pride in his team’s response post-Watford’s goal, praising their courage and resilience. He highlighted Morsy’s unexpected offensive role and commended the team’s overall performance.
The match statistics and line-ups further detail the closely fought contest, reflecting Ipswich’s slight edge in possession and shots on target.
Home Team: Watford
Away Team: Ipswich
Possession: Watford 47% – Ipswich 53%
Shots: Watford 12 – Ipswich 10
Shots on Target: Watford 3 – Ipswich 6
Corners: Watford 6 – Ipswich 4
Fouls: Watford 12 – Ipswich 16
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Ipswich Town Victory
Who scored the winning goal for Ipswich Town against Watford?
Sam Morsy, the captain of Ipswich Town, scored the decisive goal that led to their 2-1 victory over Watford.
What was the significance of Ipswich Town’s win over Watford?
The win propelled Ipswich Town to the top of the Championship league, marking their first return to the top spot since August and continuing their pursuit of back-to-back promotions.
How did Watford initially take the lead in the game?
Watford’s initial lead came from Yaser Asprilla, who capitalized on a mistake by Ipswich’s goalkeeper, Vaclav Hladky, and successfully scored.
Did any celebrities attend the Watford vs Ipswich Town match?
Yes, the match was attended by Sir Elton John, a former Watford chairman, and Ed Sheeran, an Ipswich Town fan.
What was Ipswich Town’s strategy in terms of player changes for the match?
Ipswich Town made five changes to their starting lineup from their previous game against Middlesbrough, aiming to optimize their team dynamics for the match against Watford.
What is next for Ipswich Town and Watford following this match?
Ipswich Town is set to face Norwich City in the East Anglian derby, while Watford will play against Preston North End, aiming to improve their standing in the Championship league.
More about Ipswich Town Victory
- Ipswich Town Official Website
- Championship League Standings
- Watford FC Official Site
- EFL Match Reports
- Sam Morsy Player Profile
- Yaser Asprilla Career Highlights
5 comments
Hladky’s mistake was costly, but he made some decent saves afterwards. every keeper has off days.
watfords defense needs some serious work, can’t believe they let that goal slip through… disappointing performance.
Yaser Asprilla’s really making a name for himself, great potential there. One to watch in the future for sure!
Wow Ipswich really showing their strength this season! morsy’s goal was epic, totally deserved the win.
Did anyone else see Sir Elton at the game?? so cool to see him supporting watford!