Chelsea draws 2-2 with Ipswich after firing 34 shots at Stamford Bridge

The sound of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) drifting away is heard. Chelsea bowed their heads after drawing with relegation-threatened Ipswich Town at home.

Chelsea drew 2-2 with Ipswich Town in the 32nd round of the 2024-2025 season Premier League (PL) held on the 13th (Korean time) at Stamford Bridge in London, England.

As a result, Chelsea recorded 54 points (15 wins, 9 draws, 8 losses) and dropped to 6th place, one point behind 5th place Manchester City (55 points). The problem is that the ranking could drop further from here. Chelsea is being chased by 7th place Aston Villa (54 points) and 8th place Fulham (58 points), who have played one game less.

This season, the PL grants UEFA Champions League (UCL) qualifying spots to the top five teams. For this reason, Chelsea seemed very favorable in the UCL ticket race until mid-season, but soon caught up with them.

It is particularly critical that they could only secure one point against 18th place Ipswich (21 points), which has essentially confirmed relegation. Ipswich can survive if they climb just one more spot. However, with six games remaining, it seems difficult to turn the 14-point gap with West Ham around.

Chelsea started in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Nicolas Jackson, Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke, Moisés Caicedo, Enzo Fernández, Marc Cucurella, Levi Colwill, Tosin Adarabioyo, Trevoh Chalobah, and Robert Sánchez were selected as starters.

Ipswich also faced off in a 4-2-3-1 formation. George Hirst, Jack Clarke, Julio Enciso, Ben Johnson, Jens Kajust, Sam Morsi, Leif Davis, Cameron Burgess, Dara O'Shea, Axel Tuanzebe, and Alex Palmer were deployed first.

Both teams fiercely clashed from the start. In the 4th minute of the first half, Chelsea accidentally created a crisis. Sánchez's kick was intercepted near the box. Clarke attempted a long-range shot, but it went over the goal.

Chelsea swallowed their disappointment. In the 7th minute of the first half, Jackson's shot following Enzo's cross hit the post. In the 11th minute of the first half, Madueke's volley shot also missed the goal.

Ipswich, having overcome the crisis, scored the first goal. In the 19th minute of the first half, in a counterattack, Johnson penetrated the right side of the box and delivered a ground cross. Enciso, who was rushing in, calmly finished the play.

Ipswich scored a second goal as well. This was another counterattack. In the 31st minute of the first half, Enciso curled a cross from the left side of the box to the opposite side. Johnson, rushing in, headed the ball into the net, making it 2-0.

Chelsea continued to hit the ground in frustration over their lack of decisiveness. In the 36th minute of the first half, Madueke took a left-footed shot inside the box, but it went high. The first half ended with Ipswich leading by two goals.

As soon as the second half began, Chelsea's chase started. In the 1st minute of the second half, Madueke sent in a low cross. Cucurella, who was penetrating, made contact and shook the net. This was corrected as an own goal by Tuanzebe.

Chelsea brought the game back to square one. In the 34th minute of the second half, during a corner kick attack, Ipswich's defense cleared the ball, which was then picked up by Jadon Sancho on the left side of the box. He took a bold right-footed curling shot as space opened up and scored the equalizer.

But that was as far as they got. Chelsea brought on Christopher Nkunku, launching an all-out effort, but were unable to score a comeback goal. The match ended in a 2-2 draw.

On this day, Chelsea unleashed a staggering 34 shots over 90 minutes. There were also 9 shots on target and 4 big chances. However, their blunt decisiveness ultimately held them back. Chelsea was stopped by 4 big chances missed, 2 hits on the woodwork, and 8 saves from the opposing goalkeeper, resulting in a draw at home.

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