Ipswich 1-1 Crystal Palace
It was honours even at Portman Road but Palace went home the happier of the
two teams.
The Eagles still remain in the bottom three but they can take some comfort
from a spirited display.
The Tractor Boys have still to find top gear, but Jon Stead was on target
again although his strike was cancelled out by Victor Moses.
Kevin Lisbie threatened early on for Ipswich, but desperate defending by
Palace denied him the opportunity.
Portman Road was a fortress last season, but Ipswich had looked vulnerable
on home turf so far this term.
And despite picking up their first home win a couple of weeks ago, they still
looked nervous at the back.
Richard Wright was being kept busy in the Ipswich goal, but it was the home
side that took the lead after 23 minutes.
Jon Stead recorded the 50th goal of his career with a cool finish, but Ipswich
could only hold onto their lead for two minutes.
Victor Moses was denied brilliantly by Wright, but he found the net with
a towering header from the subsequent corner.
Speroni then saved spectacularly from Lisbie before Clint Hill missed a sitter
for Palace at the other end.
Nick Carle went close for the visitors soon after and Paul Ifill fired a
shot over the bar moments later.
There was little to choose between the two teams in the opening period, but
Palace certainly fancied their chances of causing an upset.
The Eagles found themselves in the bottom three after earlier results, but
there was no shortage of confidence in their play.
This was Ipswich boss Jim Magilton's 100th game in charge of the club and
he would have had plenty to say at half-time, especially about the marking
at the back and the space afforded to Moses, who almost gave Palace the lead
just before the break.
Ipswich made a positive start to the second half and it took some frantic
and determined defending by Palace to keep them out.
Neil Warnock's men had lost four in their last five games, but they continued
to play with confidence and Nick Carle had a shot deflected narrowly wide
for a corner.
New signing Craig Beattie wasted a golden opportunity for Palace before Stead,
another loan signing, went close for Ipswich.
Ben Watson missed a great chance for Palace after 64 minutes and there were
chances squandered at both ends as the game ended in a stalemate.
Dave Smith (The Sunday Mirror)
