Ipswich turned the tables after falling behind, clinching their first Premier League victory on the road since April 2025 with a 3-2 win over a ten‑man Crystal Palace. The match unfolded with an early strike from Anan Khalaili, but the visitors responded swiftly. Emersonn and Leif Davis each headed home to restore parity, and in the dying moments of regular time, substitute Zian Flemming delivered the decisive goal after Jorgen Strand Larsen had levelled the scores. The winning goal broke a long‑standing pattern for the Tractor Boys.
Since December 2001, Ipswich had never opened the scoring and then gone on to win a Premier League fixture; the 32‑game streak finally ended at Selhurst Park. The win came on the back of recent successes against Fulham and Middlesbrough, and Ipswich were keen to keep the momentum rolling.
The opening phase saw Palace take the initiative. Anan Khalaili collected a square pass from Daichi Kamada, took a single touch and unleashed a powerful shot that glanced off Ipswich full‑back Leif Davis before finding the back of the net past goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen. The early lead raised Palace’s hopes of a perfect weekend, especially after their recent form.
Ipswich, however, were not to be denied. A volley from Strand Larsen was cleared emphatically, but the hosts soon equalised. Davis delivered a low cross from the left; believing he was offside, he hesitated, allowing Emersonn to arrive unmarked and head the ball home without any pressure from the defence.
The goal shifted the momentum and set the tone for a tightly contested encounter. The turning point arrived in the 34th minute when Axel Disasi was shown a straight red card for a studs‑up challenge on Jack Clarke.
Playing with ten men forced Palace into a defensive reshuffle, and Ipswich capitalised. Just before the break, Davis rose to meet a free‑kick and headed the ball into the net, giving the visitors a 2-0 advantage at the interval. Palace attempted to claw back into the game as the second half progressed. Around the 70‑minute mark, they pressed with increased intensity, but Quiten Timber squandered two clear chances to equalise.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 78th minute when Strand Larsen, showing composure under pressure, beat his marker and struck a low drive into the bottom‑left corner, restoring parity at 2-2. The final minutes were a test of nerves. In the 90th minute, Davis headed a looping ball that struck the crossbar and rebounded into the box. Flemming reacted quickest, meeting the rebound with a calm finish that slipped past the keeper, sealing a dramatic 3-2 victory for Ipswich.
Post‑match, Palace manager Pierre Sage expressed his frustration: "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." Sage also addressed the omission of Jaydee Canvot, noting it was a sporting decision based on the player's performance against Fulham and that he expects a stronger response from the youngster in the future. Ipswich boss Gary O'Neil was elated: "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." Speaking about Emersonn, O'Neil praised his impact: "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." Analyst Dan Long of Sky Sports highlighted the rapid progress Ipswich have made since their promotion.
In their debut season, it took them 16 games to notch two wins; this campaign they have secured three victories in just four matches. Their early season triumph over Sunderland, a spirited display at Old Trafford against Manchester United, and an impressive expected‑goals (xG) performance against Liverpool all point to a side that is quickly adapting to top‑flight demands. Against Palace, the combination of Emersonn’s poaching instincts and Davis’s aerial prowess proved decisive.
Disasi’s dismissal gave Ipswich a numerical edge, which they exploited efficiently. Even when Palace forced a 2‑2 draw, Ipswich remained patient, trusting that a breakthrough would arrive – and it did, courtesy of Flemming’s composure. Statistically, the win at Selhurst Park was notable not just for the points but also for Ipswich’s defensive efficiency. It marked the third occasion in four games that they conceded fewer than 0.70 xG, underscoring a growing solidity at the back.
While fellow promoted side Hull has attracted most of the headlines for their strong start, Ipswich’s quiet consistency deserves recognition. Their ability to win away, manage games with a reduced opposition, and maintain a disciplined defensive record suggests they could become a surprise package this season.
The match also featured promotional reminders for the Super 6 competition, encouraging fans to enter for a chance to win £1 million. These messages appeared repeatedly throughout the broadcast, underscoring the commercial partnership tied to the Premier League coverage.