Ipswich Moves Closer to Championship Leaders
Ipswich narrowed the gap on the top two teams in the Sky Bet Championship with a commanding 2-0 victory over Coventry, marking the end of Coventry’s unbeaten home streak this season.
Jack Clarke netted the first goal in the 72nd minute, followed by Wes Burns scoring his first goal since May 2024 just 11 minutes later, extending the visitors’ lead.
The Tractor Boys are now 10 points behind league leaders Coventry and only two points adrift of Middlesbrough, currently in second place.
This win marks Ipswich’s second victory over Coventry this month; they previously triumphed with a 3-0 win at Portman Road on December 6. The loss ended Coventry’s eight-match winning streak at home and was their first defeat at the CBS Arena this season, only their third league loss of the current calendar year.
Ipswich dominated the first half, maintaining nearly 70 percent possession against an unusually subdued Coventry side. Manager Kieran McKenna made four changes from the team that played a goalless draw with Millwall on Boxing Day.
Jacob Greaves stepped in for the ill Leif Davis at left-back, creating the match’s first scoring opportunity with a cross that resulted in a saved header from Ivon Azon. Clarke had another opportunity soon after but sent his shot wide from near the edge of the box.
Second Half Performance and Goals
As the second half unfolded, Coventry started more vigorously, but Ipswich goalkeeper Christian Walton was called to action to fend off several attempts. Despite Coventry’s appeals for a penalty after a clash between Haji Wright and Darnell Furlong, play continued.
The breakthrough came in the 72nd minute when Marcelino Nunez assisted Clarke, whose shot deflected off Luke Woolfenden into the corner of the net. Ipswich then doubled their lead in the 83rd minute as Burns, making only his second appearance since an ACL injury, coolly finished after another assist from Nunez.
Managerial Insights
Coventry’s Frank Lampard: “We didn’t perform at our usual level and faced a strong opponent. Ipswich controlled much of the first half, and while we improved in the second, we still fell short.”
Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna: “It was a solid performance overall. We played with confidence in the first half, and while we expected pressure from Coventry, we handled it well and scored when we needed to.”
