Chelsea dropped two points in the race for Champions League football as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Ipswich at Stamford Bridge. It could have been worse for the Blues, who fell two goals behind after Julio Enciso finished from close-range and Ben Johnson then nodded in, that goal awarded after a VAR review having initially been chalked off for offside.
Chelsea, who were beaten by Ipswich at Portman Road earlier in the Premier League season, were booed off at half-time, but made a perfect start to the second period. Within 20 seconds of the restart, Noni Madueke played the ball across the face of goal and Axel Tuanzebe turned into his own goal under pressure from Marc Cucurella.
Jadon Sancho got Chelsea level with a superb curling finish heading into the final ten minutes, but the hosts could not find another one to complete the comeback. It means Enzo Maresca’s side are no longer in control of the battle to finish in the top five. They trail Manchester City by a point, while Newcastle have games in hand and the chance to go above the Blues.
Chelsea vs Ipswich latest news
- GOAL! Sancho levels with stunning finish
- GOAL! Cucurella pulls one back for Chelsea
- GOAL! Johnson makes it 2-0 to visitors
- GOAL! Enciso gives Ipswich shock lead
FT: Chelsea 2-2 Ipswich
15:57 , Matt VerriAnd that’s full-time.
Chelsea drop two points, that’s really damaging in their bid to secure Champions League football.
So many shots, so much of the ball... not good enough though.
Chelsea 2-2 Ipswich
15:56 , Matt Verri90+5 mins: This is turning into a masterclass from Palmer. Ipswich’s Palmer, that is.
Fernandez looks set to smash in a late winner, but Palmer stretches out a strong hand to deny him.
Chelsea 2-2 Ipswich
15:54 , Matt Verri90+3 mins: Brilliant save!
Palmer from the edge of the area, tries to pass it into the corner... Palmer at full stretch to deny him.
Corner taken short, eventually comes in. Neto at the back post... sliced wide.
Chelsea 2-2 Ipswich
15:53 , Matt Verri90+2 mins: O’Shea has just tried his luck from about 70 yards out.
Think he was really just keen to get the ball as far away as physically possible.
Chelsea 2-2 Ipswich
15:51 , Matt Verri90 mins: Six minutes added on.
Maresca wanted more than that...
Chelsea 2-2 Ipswich
15:50 , Matt Verri89 mins: Free-kick for Ipswich, up come the defenders. Chance for them to snatch all three points?
Nodded down to Taylor, sliced over. Offside flag up anyway.
Chelsea 2-2 Ipswich
15:46 , Matt Verri86 mins: Chalobah has somehow failed to score from point-blank range!
He was free from the set-piece, Palmer has done superbly well to keep that out.
Palmer of the Chelsea variety then lashes over from range.
Chelsea 2-2 Ipswich
15:45 , Matt Verri84 mins: Morsy dives in on Cucurella, who knocks the ball past him and takes the contact.
Yellow card... almost impressive that Morsy has the audacity to complain about that.
Chelsea 2-2 Ipswich
15:43 , Matt Verri83 mins: So, so good from Delap. All by himself but bundles his way down the touchline and wins a corner.
Swung to the back post, Delap gets up and it’s a real chance... straight at Sanchez.
Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
15:42 , Matt VerriJadon Sancho's finest goal for Chelsea by a country mile has set up a frantic final 10 minutes here.
Chelsea 2-2 Ipswich
15:41 , Matt Verri81 mins: Feels like this could be a very long ten minutes for Ipswich now.
Chelsea pushing them right back, all the momentum on their side.
Caicedo from distance... charged down.
GOAL! Chelsea 2-2 Ipswich | Jadon Sancho 79'
15:40 , Matt VerriSTUNNING!
From a short corner, Sancho has space on the edge of the area and he bends it perfectly into the far corner.
Chelsea 1-2 Ipswich
15:37 , Matt Verri77 mins: Decision-making from Chelsea hasn’t been good.
Fernandez breaking forward, options either side. Goes for goal himself from 20 yards out and it’s a routine save for Palmer.
Chelsea 1-2 Ipswich
15:36 , Matt Verri75 mins: Just a fleeting visit for Philogene.
He’s limping off, barely five minutes after coming on. Needs two people to help him off.
Enciso replaced too, as Taylor and Broadhead are introduced.
Chelsea 1-2 Ipswich
15:34 , Matt Verri73 mins: Chelsea have had 25 efforts already. Four each for Neto and Palmer, five for Jackson.
Brilliant from Townsend!
Sancho beats his man on the outside, plays the ball across the face of goal and Townsend is alert to clear, just as Fernandez thought he had a tap-in.
Chelsea 1-2 Ipswich
15:31 , Matt Verri71 mins: There’s another one.
Neto chests it down and then lashes a half-volley at goal from 20 yards out. Flies just side.
Delap is on for Ipswich, as is Philogene. Clarke and Hirst off.
Chelsea 1-2 Ipswich
15:30 , Matt Verri69 mins: Chelsea have had so many shots from just outside the area.
Neto with the latest, goes for maximum power but it’s charged down. Sancho is on for the Blues, replacing Madueke.
Chelsea 1-2 Ipswich
15:2767 mins: Yellow card for Palmer, looks like that was for dissent.
Chelsea corner, once more Ipswich deal with it well. Blues have offered basically nothing from those.
Chelsea 1-2 Ipswich
15:24 , Matt Verri64 mins: Brilliant ball from Neto... but nobody can get on the end of it.
Dinked into the six-yard box, over Fernandez and Gusto can’t quite catch up with it.
Chelsea 1-2 Ipswich
15:22 , Matt Verri61 mins: Madueke cleaned out in midfield as he tries to play a pass wide. Palmer questioning why a yellow card hasn’t come out.
Replays show Madueke did basically just jump into Morsy.
Ipswich sub - Davis off, Townsend on.
Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
15:19 , Matt VerriChelsea with their feet firmly on the accelerator now, piling the pressure on Ipswich in search for their equaliser.
Feels a matter of when, not if, the way things are going.
Chelsea 1-2 Ipswich
15:17 , Matt Verri56 mins: Palmer doing everything he can to end that 13-match run without a goal.
A couple more efforts, both blocked. Neto then again goes for it from distance, again straight at Palmer.
Chelsea 1-2 Ipswich
15:14 , Matt Verri54 mins: Nearly brilliant from Hirst!
He’s all by himself for Ipswich, but almost makes something of it.
Cuts onto his right foot, curling effort from the edge of the area... just wide. Sanchez wasn’t getting there.
Chelsea 1-2 Ipswich
15:13 , Matt Verri53 mins: Ipswich dropping deeper and deeper.
Neto on his right foot, shoots from 20 yards out and it’s straight at Palmer.
Chelsea 1-2 Ipswich
15:11 , Matt Verri50 mins: Ipswich have barely had a kick since half-time.
Caicedo with a nice ball through to Palmer, he has options to his right but tries to chop back onto his left foot and there’s no space.
Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
15:08 , Matt VerriChelsea never looked like scoring in that first half. Now they've scored 17 seconds into the second half.
It's certainly game on now, out of nowhere.
The Blues have clearly been given an rollicking at half-time by Maresca, just as they were by the Italian in Poland on Thursday when the half-time score was 0-0.
GOAL! Chelsea 1-2 Ipswich | Marc Cucurella 46'
15:06 , Matt VerriThat took 20 seconds!
Well then.. game on.
Madueke got in down the right, low cross into the six-yard box and Cucurella is there sliding in to finish from close range.
Back underway!
15:06 , Matt VerriUp and running again.
Gusto on for Tosin at the break, as Chalobah shifts into the centre of defence.
Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
14:58 , Matt VerriThat was a disastrous first half from Chelsea and it panned out just as so many matches have this season, with the tempo of play desperately slow.
Is Champions League football slipping away before their eyes?
HT: Chelsea 0-2 Ipswich
14:51 , Matt VerriLoud boos at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea started decently enough, but they have been poor in the final third and absolutely terrible in defence.
Chelsea 0-2 Ipswich
14:49 , Matt Verri45+2 mins: Neto the latest to swing a cross in, Madueke can’t get enough on the header at the back post.
Ipswich with near enough everyone camped on the edge of their own box, trying to hang on for half-time.
And Burgess helps them out, winning a very cheap free-kick.
Chelsea 0-2 Ipswich
14:46 , Matt Verri45 mins: Caicedo tries his luck from distance, drags it a long way wide.
Four minutes added on.
Chelsea 0-2 Ipswich
14:45 , Matt Verri43 mins: Madueke with a poor cross, Palmer can claim that with his eyes closed.
Maresca best have something pretty special lined up for half-time...
Chelsea 0-2 Ipswich
14:40 , Matt Verri39 mins: Palmer booked for time-wasting... the goalkeeper has gone very early with that.
Chelsea with yet another chance to score. Neto in behind, cut-back to Cucurella.
He opts against shooting, passing it on to Madueke. He should shoot, tries to dance inside and the chance goes.
Chelsea 0-2 Ipswich
14:38 , Matt Verri37 mins: Cucurella’s cross charged down, that will be a corner.
Ipswich fans convinced the ball had already gone down - Cucurella waves his arm in frustration at them. Goes down well.
Left-back nearly has the last laugh, as he picks out Madueke in the box. Blasts over.
Chelsea 0-2 Ipswich
14:35 , Matt Verri34 mins: Chelsea at least looked dangerous in the early stages of the match, but they’ve been completely thrown off by those goals.
Need something before half-time to lift what is an increasingly dark mood at Stamford Bridge.
Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
14:33 , Matt VerriChelsea are in real trouble. 2-0 down after half an hour to a team destined to be relegated.
Chelsea used to be bad away from home. It seems they are poor at home too.
GOAL! Chelsea 0-2 Ipswich | Ben Johnson 31'
14:33 , Matt VerriGoal given!
VAR review comes to the rescue for Ipswich, and they are 2-0 up at Stamford Bridge!
GOOO... OFFSIDE!
14:32 , Matt VerriAnd that really doesn’t help!
Ipswich do have a second... incredible.
Or not, a very, very late offside flag has gone up.
Ball clipped to the back post, Johnson heads past Sanchez, but was he offside?
Replays would suggest not...
Chelsea 0-1 Ipswich
14:31 , Matt Verri30 mins: Some boos from the home fans...
Chelsea give Ipswich the ball back in their own half and are very nearly punished.
Cajuste curls an effort towards the far corner, it flies just wide. Chelsea supporters getting very irritated.
Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
14:29 , Matt VerriThe Ipswich fans chanting to one of their own, currently sat on the bench.
"10 more years Delap, 10 more years." Not sure they'll get their wish, if I hazard a guess.
Chelsea 0-1 Ipswich
14:27 , Matt Verri25 mins: Not a great back pass to Palmer, who has to stretch to clear under pressure from Jackson.
Chelsea striker catches the goalkeeper in the head with a knee as he does so - Palmer needs some treatment.
Looks like he’ll be fine to continue.
Chelsea 0-1 Ipswich
14:24 , Matt Verri23 mins: All a bit flat for Chelsea since that goal. Lots of the ball but going nowhere with it.
Ipswich fans are in full-on party mode.
Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
14:22 , Matt VerriWell that's a killer for Chelsea, who have been totally on top in the opening 20 minutes.
But they allow Hirst to turn in midfield, and soon enough Enciso is prodding past Sanchez.
"Can we play you every week?" ask the Ipswich fans.
GOAL! Chelsea 0-1 Ipswich | Julio Enciso 19'
14:21 , Matt VerriOUT OF NOWHERE!
Wow. Near enough their first attack, Ipswich break down the right.
Johnson with the low ball in, Enciso there in the middle to turn beyond Sanchez from close range.
Chelsea 0-0 Ipswich
14:19 , Matt Verri18 mins: Another big chance for Chelsea.
Cross swung in from the right, Colwill completely free in the middle and Palmer is forced into action again.
Cucurella then lashes an effort over.
Chelsea 0-0 Ipswich
14:18 , Matt Verri17 mins: Palmer in behind, his cross is turned behind for another corner.
Fernandez to take, again Ipswich deal with it well.
Chelsea 0-0 Ipswich
14:15 , Matt Verri14 mins: Chelsea having a fair bit of success with crosses to the back post. Always seem to have a spare man.
Ball comes back to Chalobah, low strike is too close to Palmer.
Chelsea 0-0 Ipswich
14:13 , Matt Verri12 mins: Neto stands up a decent cross to the back post.
No real pace on it, makes the volley a bit more difficult for Madueke. Takes a slight deflection and behind for a corner.
Swung in, comfortably claimed by Palmer.
Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
14:10 , Matt VerriHe had to score there.
Jackson had no one around him and somehow hit the post from about three yards out.
Chelsea 0-0 Ipswich
14:10 , Matt Verri8 mins: Massive chance for Jackson!
Low ball into the middle, Jackson gets across his man but sends the finish against the post from a few yards out.
Should be 1-0.
Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
14:07 , Matt VerriAlready, it's clear that Ipswich are sitting off but Chelsea are pressing quite high when they've got the ball.
Ipswich not needing to, in fairness, because Chelsea misplacing passes at will right now.
Chelsea 0-0 Ipswich
14:06 , Matt Verri5 mins: Sanchez with a shocking pass, straight to Clarke.
Ipswich man can stroll forward with the ball, gets the shot away from 25 yards out and he curls it high and wide.
Let-off for Sanchez.
Chelsea 0-0 Ipswich
14:03 , Matt Verri2 mins: Madueke with an early run, his cut-back finds Palmer but the first touch takes him away from goal.
Johnson then gets back to see a cross out for a goal-kick right in front of the away fans... big cheers.
KICK-OFF!
14:01 , Matt VerriWe’re up and running!
Here we go!
13:58 , Matt VerriPlayers are back out into the Stamford Bridge sunshine.
Visit fans making plenty of noise, as they enjoy their final few away days of the season.
Not long now...
13:52 , Matt VerriWarm-ups done, teams are back in the dressing rooms.
Ipswich have had a fairly miserable time of it in recent months, but completing the double over Chelsea would certainly be something to remember from a season that is set to end in relegation.
Pre-match thoughts from Maresca
13:43 , Matt Verri“Against Brentford there was a game plan, and today we have another game plan,” the Chelsea boss says.
“Hopefully with the ones we start we are going to win the game."
Sounds simple enough.
Welcome return to home comforts!
13:32 , Matt VerriChelsea have had a miserable time of it away from home in the Premier League.
Their last league win on the road came in early December, when they got the better of Tottenham. Since then, it’s been four months without a win.
Just as well they’re at Stamford Bridge today, then...
The boys are here! 👋#CFC | #CHEIPS pic.twitter.com/8dIkxejhCK
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 13, 2025
Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
13:24 , Matt VerriThis feels a big afternoon for Cole Palmer.
Against relegation-threatened (relegation-doomed?) Ipswich, here is a glorious opportunity for the England star to end his most unusual goal drought, which stretches back to January 14 and a goal in a 2-2 home draw against Bournemouth.
With the hunt for Champions League football now very much on and the reason into its run-in, netting today would be very welcome from a Chelsea perspective.
He was very quiet in his 45-minute display against Legia Warsaw on Thursday.
McKenna still committed to Ipswich
13:17 , Matt VerriKieran McKenna signed a new four-year contract last summer, amid links with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United.
With Ipswich looking certain to go down, McKenna was asked if he remained committed to the club should they be relegated.
"The short answer is yes,” he said.
"I'm still happy here. This year was always going to be a challenge. The fact it was going to be a big challenge was one of the reasons why I wanted to stay last year.
"I felt it was the right thing to do. And, as I've said a few times, I think the club has a fantastically bright future in many, many different ways. I think it's a club that's on the up, irrespective of a possible, you can say a probable, backward step this year.
"I think there's still a great potential to make some big strides over the next few years. So I'm excited to be part of that. I'm proud to lead it.”
Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
13:09 , Matt VerriIt’s an interesting call from Kieran McKenna...
"Liam Delap is a player that is very much of interest to Chelsea... but he starts on the bench for Ipswich."
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) April 13, 2025
🗣 @MrDomSmith gives his pre-match thoughts on the team news at Stamford Bridge.
LIVE: https://t.co/zf5FGzVxDk #CHEIPS pic.twitter.com/e3ioDDXluK
Maresca goes strong
12:58 , Matt VerriPretty much as we expected from Chelsea, near enough at full-strength.
Palmer fit to start, Madueke gets the nod on the right wing and Jackson leads the line.
James, though, only on the bench, as is Gusto. So it’s Chalobah at right-back.
Ipswich team news
12:50 , Matt VerriStarting XI: Palmer, Tuanzebe, O'Shea, Burgess, Davis, Morsy, Cajuste, Johnson, Enciso, Clarke, Hirst
Subs: Walton, Woolfenden, Townsend, Luongo, Taylor, Philogene, Chaplin, Broadhead, Delap
Chelsea team news
12:47 , Matt VerriStarting XI: Sanchez; Chalobah, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson
Subs: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Badiashile, James, Gusto, Dewsbury-Hall, George, Sancho, Nkunku
Stage is set!
12:36 , Matt VerriIt’s another lovely afternoon in west London...
🔎🏟️ #CHEIPS pic.twitter.com/U7j8vGmYpd
— Ipswich Town (@IpswichTown) April 13, 2025
Unlikely double?
12:24 , Matt VerriIpswich have only won four Premier League matches this season - one of those was against Chelsea.
Liam Delap scored from the spot, Omari Hutchinson doubled the lead, and there was no response from the Blues.
Can Ipswich make it two from two against Chelsea?
Maresca talks up Jackson
12:16 , Matt VerriEnzo Maresca says Chelsea's ideal striker signing this summer would be a second Nicolas Jackson.
The Senegal international is Chelsea’s first-choice striker and has scored nine goals this season but was hampered recently by a hamstring injury.
When asked what his preferred summer striker signing might look like, Maresca said: “My perfect No9 is exactly Nico Jackson. We already have a No9. It's not summer now.
“If we can have a copy of Nico, it's OK. I have said many times, with Nico we are a better team. Nico is the one we need.
“Last season, he scored goals without penalties. This season he scored goals until he was injured. Now, hopefully, he can score more goals without penalties. We are happy with Nico. And about next season, it's not the moment [to discuss transfers].”
Standard Sport prediction
12:06 , Matt VerriChelsea just cannot seem to put a run of wins together in the league to mirror their impressive start to life under Maresca, following up the victory over Tottenham with a stalemate in another London derby at Brentford.
However, their statement second-half performance in Warsaw should provide a decent confidence boost and the Blues should once again take the handbrake off at home to a team who now look all-but relegated after Wolves’ dramatic comeback win last weekend.
There is no need to rest players for the second leg against Legia and a strong Chelsea team should have more than enough to see off a spirited but limited Ipswich side who have won only once in the league in 2025.
Chelsea to win, 3-0
Ipswich team news
11:59 , Matt VerriFor Ipswich, ex-Chelsea winger Omari Hutchinson remains a doubt.
Sammie Szmodics, Chiedozie Ogbene, Wes Burns and Arijanet Muric are all out, though Leif Davis returned off the bench against Wolves.
Chelsea team news
11:51 , Matt VerriCole Palmer is fit to start for Chelsea against Ipswich as he bids to end his 13-game goal drought.
Palmer was taken off at half-time in Thursday’s 3-0 Conference League win against Legia Warsaw but the substitution was pre-planned and nothing to do with any injury.
Enzo Maresca will restore goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and could also start Nicolas Jackson.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is set to drop to the bench following starts in the last two matches.
Levi Colwill came on at half-time against Legia and could return at centre-back, likely in place of Benoit Badiashile.
Noni Madueke scored twice in Poland after coming off the bench and should also start.
Predicted Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson
How to watch Chelsea vs Ipswich
11:41 , Matt VerriTV channel: The game will not be broadcast in the UK.
Free highlights: Match of the Day 2, however, will show highlights when it airs at 10.30pm BST tonight on BBC One.
LIVE coverage: Follow all the action right here, featuring expert analysis from Dom Smith!
Good morning!
11:33 , Matt VerriHello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Chelsea vs Ipswich!
Aston Villa and Manchester City won yesterday, so the pressure is on the Blues to match that and move back into the Champions League places.
We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news here ahead of kick-off, which comes at 2pm BST from Stamford Bridge!
