Football Oct 02, 2026

Crystal Palace 2-3 Ipswich Town: Zian Flemming's strike earns Tractor Boys win at Selhurst Park

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By Admin
Sports Journalist
Crystal Palace 2-3 Ipswich Town: Zian Flemming's strike earns Tractor Boys win at Selhurst Park

Ipswich came from behind to secure their first Premier League away win since April 2025 after beating 10-man Crystal Palace 3-2.

Goals from Emersonn and Leif Davis answered Anan Khalaili's opener, before substitute Zian Flemming struck the 90th-minute winner after Jorgen Strand Larsen had pulled the Eagles level.

That goal ended a run of 32 Premier League games - stretching back to December 2001 - in which the Tractor Boys had conceded first and failed to win.

Having beaten Fulham and Middlesbrough in their last two outings, Palace were looking to make it a perfect week - and chances of that happening increased when Anan Khalaili collected Daichi Kamada's square ball, took one touch and struck a sweet shot, which took a slight deflection off Ipswich full-back Davis on its way past Kjell Scherpen.

As the hosts sought out a second, Strand Larsen saw a cracking volley batted away. But, before long, they were pegged back instead.

Davis hit a cross from the left and, seemingly convinced he had been offside when he collected the ball, Palace switched off, which allowed Emersonn to find the net with a header under no pressure.

Ipswich received a major boost when Axel Disasi was shown a straight red card 34 minutes in after catching Jack Clarke on the shin with his studs - and they took advantage by establishing the lead on the stroke of half-time when Davis scored a free header.

Palace started to up the tempo with around 20 minutes to go, with Quiten Timber guilty of passing up two opportunities to equalise, and the noise was deafening when Strand Larsen held off his man to fire into the bottom-left corner and level.

But their efforts were rendered useless in the 90th minute when Flemming reacted quickest when a looping header from Davis came back off the crossbar and stylishly tucked in the winner.

Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage:

"We are really frustrated because of the context of the game. We were ahead before conceding the 1-1 goal from their first opportunity, and the red card forced me to reorganise the team into a 5-3-1 while keeping many of our principles.

"But we made a tactical mistake at the end of the first half and they scored the second goal.

"The second half, we came back with the same organisation, we created things, we had the ball, we came to 2-2 and had the opportunity to make it 3-2, missed it. And, at the end, it's very hard to concede the third goal in the same way, with a cross and a ball we didn't win into our box.

"I'm really frustrated for the players because they gave a lot on the pitch and they don't have the result for their efforts."

On Jaydee Canvot's omission: "This was a sporting decision, but I have to be honest, I didn't take him in the team because of his game against Fulham and what he did during the week.

"I spoke with him. I need more from him.

"I'm sure he is able to do it and I wait for a good reaction on his part from Monday."

Ipswich manager Gary O'Neil:

"I'm pleased. Winning away in the Premier League is tough, (especially) against teams playing in Europe this season. Really pleased to have two wins on the board after four matches. It's a big plus for us.

"I'm really pleased with the group, what they gave; lots of emotion, lots of having to respond to set-backs, respond to positives. It wasn't perfect, but we won. We found a way to win, we deserved to win as well, which is important.

"We happily take the three points and send the fans back up the A12 happy and get ready for a big week, with Arsenal and Everton coming next."

On Emersonn: "I thought he was excellent today - I'd hate to play against him! He bashes people around, he runs in behind, he looks after the ball, he's a threat. Really pleased with how quickly he's taken to the league.

"The coaching staff work really hard with him on his technical stuff because it was a problem for him before and he's getting better very, very quickly.

"I thought it was another excellent No 9 performance from him today."

Analysis by Your Site' Dan Long at Selhurst Park:

When they first returned to the Premier League in 2024/25, it was 16 games before Ipswich had recorded two wins.

This time around, it has taken just four.

They beat Sunderland on the opening day, took the lead against Man Utd at Old Trafford the following week - before an eventual 5-2 defeat - and recorded a higher xG than Liverpool in the 2-0 loss last time out.

And against Crystal Palace, both Emersonn and Leif Davis' headers were all too easy. Axel Disasi's sending off gave them an extra boost, but they took advantage when opportunities presented themselves.

When Palace's equaliser made it 2-2, they did not go all out, desperate for the winner; they just waited, exercising patience, with the belief the winner would come, which it eventually did.

While taking three points at Selhurst Park was impressive, equally - if not more so - was the fact it was the third time in the four games they have played that they have conceded less than 0.70 xG.

Fellow newly-promoted side Hull are taking all the plaudits for their start on their return to the Premier League, and rightly so - but, out of the spotlight, Ipswich are going well, too.

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