• Chelsea's winless run extends to three games after 2-0 defeat to Ipswich
  • Liam Delap & Omari Hutchinson stood out for hosts
  • Rotated Chelsea squad fail to impress

By Talal osman 

Chelsea took their determination to prove they are not in a title race to a new level on Monday with a shocking 2-0 defeat away at Ipswich Town.

The Blues never looked themselves after Liam Delap netted a controversial first-half penalty, and things went from bad to worse when former Chelsea winger Omari Hutchinson slotted home a second to hand Enzo Maresca's side a second consecutive defeat.

How the game unfolded

Ipswich made a brave start and were rewarded for their confidence ten minutes in. The onrushing Filip Jorgensen was deemed to have caught Delap as he came out for the ball and a penalty was awarded, and the striker made no mistake from 12 yards.

Jorgensen did well to deny Delap soon after, before Cole Palmer nearly tied things up with a smart free kick. Chelsea's talisman watched his effort crash back off the post, and Christopher Nkunku could not convert the rebound and instead sent his effort right at the grateful Christian Walton.

Chelsea thought their equaliser had arrived in the 24th minute as Felix crept in at the back post to tap home a Palmer cross, but a two-minute VAR check ultimately spotted the Portugal international beyond the last defender.

Marc Cucurella crashed wide and Moises Caicedo blazed over as Chelsea began to take control of proceedings, and as the clock ticked over into first half stoppage time, Palmer drew an acrobatic save from Walton, who was relieved to see his side ahead at the break.

The second half began in the same fashion. Chelsea advanced immediately and Felix saw a header cleared off the line by Wes Burns.

A woeful pass from Axel Disasi gifted former Blue Hutchinson the chance to double their lead against the run of play. The Frenchman sent Delap racing through and a smart pass to Hutchinson was followed by a delightful strike into the bottom corner.

Nicolas Jackson's blushes were spared as a late offside flag excused his one-on-one miss. It was one of very few examples of Chelsea actually managing a clear sight of goal, with Ipswich happy to defend and frustrate the visitors to secure all three points.

2-0 is a scoreline which definitely flattered Ipswich, but the hosts undoubtedly had the better chances of the game and were good value for the three points

For Chelsea, this was yet another example of their inability to break down a stubborn defence. Everton stood firm to frustrate the Blues, Fulham did the same and Ipswich were clearly watching as they perfected their defensive strategy en route to victory.

Chelsea need to find more sources of creativity. They have looked stagnant out wide and empty in midfield, where Cole Palmer has struggled to command the influence he boasted earlier in the season. Maresca needs to change something to reignite this side.