Yahoo Sports Jeremy Sarmiento scores late equaliser to snatch a point for Ipswich at title rivals Leicester
Kieran McKenna’s hopes of a second promotion in two seasons remains tantalisingly in Ipswich Town’s grasp, and his team continue to be the Championship kings of the comeback.
After a dramatic late equaliser from substitute Jeremy Sarmiento, Ipswich moved back into the automatic promotion places to frustrate Enzo Maresca and Leicester.
Ipswich have now secured 21 points from losing positions this season - the most of any team in the league - and McKenna’s promotion chasers are determined to last the distance.
Leicester would have extended their lead at the top of the table to ten points with a victory and, though they ran out of steam here, they still possess a commanding advantage ahead of the chasing pack.
In an absorbing advertisement for the Championship, Ipswich deserved their point and just like on Boxing Day at Portman Road, there was nothing to separate the two teams.
McKenna said: “Coming back a lot and not losing many games is a good reflection of the group, and our togetherness.
“There is so long to go and we have to focus on ourselves, we won’t be talking about it [promotion] until at least the last 15 games.
“This was a big step up for us in terms of the level of the opponent, but we did our utmost to play in our identity and style.”
Maresca was serving a touchline ban after a third booking of the season and could barely believe what unfolded in the final minutes as Leicester were denied their 22nd victory of the season.
The Italian already knows how it feels to lift trophies after winning the Treble as part of Pep Guardiola’s staff at Manchester City last season, and Leicester’s tour of the Championship appears increasingly likely to be a brief one.
This was a rare evening of frustration, however, and Maresca did not enjoy his experience watching on from the West Stand.
“It was a big shame and the effort of the players was huge. Until the end there is always the danger of the other team recovering the game,” he said.
“It’s still a very long season and we repeat the same game by game. We are in the right direction but there are many games left.
“I’ve felt them breathing since we’ve started, including Leeds as well, and it will be a race to the end.”
Separated by two divisions last season, these two clubs have been the pace-setters in the promotion race.
Leicester have occupied the top of the Championship since September 23, spending 21 of their 28 games at the summit.
Ipswich, meanwhile, have built on the momentum of last year’s promotion by producing another memorable season under McKenna, their highly regarded manager.
McKenna’s excellent work has led to interest from clubs in the top division and he seems destined for the Premier League at some stage in the near future.
In a predictability tight contest, Leicester made the breakthrough in the 31st minute.
Stephy Mavididi was released in the box after a neat exchange of passes with Ricardo Pereira and his powerfully hit cross was turned in by Leif Davis, the Ipswich full-back.
Mavididi, the winger signed from Montpellier in the summer, is flourishing under Maresca and was the game’s most dangerous player.
Ipswich started the second half impressively, forcing Leicester’s Mads Hermansen into his first save after Wes Burns found space in the penalty area.
McKenna introduced Sarmiento, a loan signing from Brighton, and their pressure finally paid off in the 89th minute.
Massimo Luongo’s shot from outside the area was saved by Hermansen but Sarmiento responded quickly to crash home the loose ball.
Leicester City vs Ipswich Town: As it happened
10:39 PM GMT
The mighty
John Percy has filed his report above, I think that will do it for our live blog. Well done to Ipswich, a hard-fought draw. Leicester look a cut above though and it’d be a huge shock if they don’t go up automatically. Cheers for reading and see you soon.
10:29 PM GMT
Leicester manager
Maresca: “A big shame, but that’s football. Big shame for the effort that we put in because I thought we deserved to win the game. Nothing to say about the performance, it was very good. We had many chances but until you score the second goal... Performance was good, we are going in the right direction. Ipswich are a very good team, they have worked together for a long time and that is an advantage to them. We had even more chances in the second half. I didn’t see the goal (we let in) yet.
10:13 PM GMT
Ipswich manager
McKenna: “First half we did not play with the conviction that we wanted to. It is a big step for a team like this coming to play a team like this away and in the first half it looked it. But in the second half we were braver. No doubt that Leicester are one of the best teams in the Championship ever and we have a team that has come up from League One. I was pleased with our efforts in the second half.”
10:11 PM GMT
Neil Warnock on Sky
“I think they were all sloppy in the second half, Leicester. They thought they’d done it and they just had to come out and play. I think the goalie should have pushed it out wide.”
10:07 PM GMT
The point
moves Ipswich up to second, seven points behind Leicester. Some home fans are booing their side. Think that’s a bit much: a point against a rival and they have a clear lead at the top. Hardly crisis time. “They are spoiled,” jokes Troy Deeney on Sky.
09:59 PM GMT
Hladky to Sky
“Great to help the team. We prepared for two strategies, it was hardest when they went man to man. But once the game settled we found a way to get there. Good to be in promotion race, we try to enjoy the journey.”
09:58 PM GMT
Sarmiento speaks to Sky
Sarmiento: “been working hard this past week, glad to give the team that joy.”
09:53 PM GMT
Full time: Leicester 1 Ipswich 1
Hermansen will feel he should have done better: palmed the strike right at the opponent and then didn’t do brilliant with the follow up. Jeremy Sarmiento the scorer is on loan from Brighton, his parent club could not score today against Wolves - that finished 0-0.
09:49 PM GMT
90 mins: Leicester 1 Ipswich 1
There will be four minutes added on. Ipswich are buoyant and looking for more.
09:48 PM GMT
GOAL! Leicester 1 Ipswich 1 (Sarmiento 89)
Go’orn Ipswich! That’s terrific. They have never given up in this game. Luongo lets rip from the edge of the area, it swerves in the air and Sarmiento, on as a sub, keeps his composure to tuck the rebound away.
09:42 PM GMT
85 mins: Leicester 1 Ipswich 0
Up the other end, some brave goalkeeping from Hermansen.
09:40 PM GMT
83 mins: Leicester 1 Ipswich 0
Vardy on for Tom Cannon. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall replaced by Yunus Akgun.
But the action is at the home end - Ipswich are screaming for a pen for hands. But there was nothing Jannik Vestergaard could do about being hit by the ball there.
09:38 PM GMT
79 mins: Leicester 1 Ipswich 0
Leicester need an insurance here and it looks like they are bringing on Jamie Vardy for the last ten or so.
09:35 PM GMT
77 mins: Leicester 1 Ipswich 0
Really admire Ipswich, they’ve been given a hard time tonight on occasion but they keep on coming and they have forced a corner here after some strong work.
09:33 PM GMT
74 mins: Leicester 1 Ipswich 0
Leicester are shouting for a penalty but there’s something fishy about they way the player has gone down.
A few seconds later, Cannon picks up the ball and smashes a drive at goal. Good stop!
09:29 PM GMT
70 mins: Leicester 1 Ipswich 0
Mavididi fires through a crowd scene, keeper parries it, it bounces up for Tom Cannon. Overhead spectacular! But Cannon, er, fires wide.
09:26 PM GMT
67 mins: Leicester 1 Ipswich 0
Clarke has gone through Dewsbury-Hall. Proper chopped him. Just a booking. I mean, he did get the ball. It looked bad.
09:23 PM GMT
64 mins: Leicester 1 Ipswich 0
Luongo has gone in the book for crunching Faes. Sort of shoulder check to the face. Ooof. The Belgian is up and okay.
09:22 PM GMT
60 mins: Leicester 1 Ipswich 0
Ipswich on the break as the keeper spots the run of Clarke, they’ve got a real chance here but the movement isn’t quite up to snuff.
09:17 PM GMT
58 mins: Leicester 1 Ipswich 0
Crunching tackle from Travis on Ricardo Pereira and he’ll pick up the game’s first card as a result.
09:12 PM GMT
54 mins: Leicester 1 Ipswich 0
Corner comes in - header, cleared off the line by Travis! Keeps the Tractor Boys in it.
09:11 PM GMT
53 mins: Leicester 1 Ipswich 0
A flurry of corners for Leicester.
09:08 PM GMT
50 mins: Leicester 1 Ipswich 0
Well done Ipswich - getting back into this. They cause a problem at a corner, where there is a suggestion that Choudhury has grabbed his man Edmundson. Penalty shout but maybe the player made a big too much of it. And then a ball is lofted back in and Burns volleys it at goal. Tipped over!
09:04 PM GMT
46 mins: Leicester 1 Ipswich 0
The visitors look like they’ve had a pep talk / rocket and come out with a hot start that wins them a corner. They don’t do much with it. Clarke has a chance to head it back across into the danger area but makes a mess of it.
08:56 PM GMT
O noes!
ma legs.
08:51 PM GMT
Brighton updates
It’s still 0-0 at the American Express Stadium, I think a lot of people were expecting a bit of a goalfest but none so far. The hosts have had three shots on target and Wolves have had just one.
08:50 PM GMT
The city's favourite son
is well pleased, as you’d expect.
Belting first half from @LCFC. Very dominant and a much deserved lead. Come on you 🦊🦊
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) January 22, 2024
08:47 PM GMT
Half time: Leicester 1 Ipswich 0
Leif Davis will naturally feel hard done by: a cross hit him and dribbled in. But in truth it was no more than Leicester deserved. They have been all over Ipswich.
08:46 PM GMT
44 mins: Leicester 1 Ipswich 0
Burns looks like Ipswich’s boy most likely, the ponytailed forward cuts inside from the left and whips a shot... well over.
08:45 PM GMT
43 mins: Leicester 1 Ipswich 0
Leicester on the charge. Faes slips in the area and the crowd want a pen, but the player himself doesn’t appeal.
Kasey McAteer wallops a shot wide.
08:39 PM GMT
38 mins: Leicester 1 Ipswich 0
Woolfenden with an appalling defensive header! Straight onto the plate of Ricardo Pereira and it’s a real surprise that a player of his quality doesn’t make Ipswich pay.
08:37 PM GMT
36 mins: Leicester 1 Ipswich 0
No rally to speak of from the visitors, who are clinging on for half time a bit here. Vestergaard works the Ipswich goalie with a beefy header at a corner.
08:33 PM GMT
GOAL! Leicester 1 Ipswich 0 (Davis OG 31)
The dominance starts to tell. Nice give and go from Mavdidi, he gets the ball back from Choudhury and crosses low. Ipswich goalie gets a tiny touch and sort of flicks it onto the hapless defender Davis, who is left looking like a bit of a ninny as the ball just kisses softly off his thigh and into the net. The stuff of nightmares for the Ipswich full back.
08:29 PM GMT
27 mins: Leicester 0 Ipswich 0
Best move of the match so far for Ipswich, ends with Chaplin having a crack. Not troubling the keeper but still, something.
08:27 PM GMT
25 mins: Leicester 0 Ipswich 0
This is turning into a bit of an attack vs defence. D-Hall is running things, picking out passes. Here is Mavididi with some tricky-tricky down the left, cut back inside and there’s a stinging shot from Choudhury. Parried away by Hladky.
08:23 PM GMT
22 mins: Leicester 0 Ipswich 0
Leicester on top, sure, but really threatening the goal as yet.
08:23 PM GMT
21 mins: Leicester 0 Ipswich 0
Dewsbury-Hall with a pass so well disguised that his teammates fail to spot it...
08:18 PM GMT
17 mins: Leicester 0 Ipswich 0
Ipswich goalie plays his midfield into trouble and Leicester have another good moment.
08:17 PM GMT
15 mins: Leicester 0 Ipswich 0
Pereira wins it, that Leicester press is Premier League quality. Dewsbury-Hall receives the ball and has the choice to shoot with his left or send it on to Cannon, who is brilliantly placed. Sadly he manages neither and just tamely blurts the ball vaguely at the goal.
08:16 PM GMT
13 mins: Leicester 0 Ipswich 0
Better couple of minutes for the Tractor Boys, they’re asking a few questions and it’s Harness here driving forward and having a shot charged down.
08:13 PM GMT
12 mins: Leicester 0 Ipswich 0
Ipswich are trying to play it out from the back but Leicester are pressing with a very high line. It feels like a high-risk strategy.
08:12 PM GMT
8 mins: Leicester 0 Ipswich 0
Mavididi with a surging, electric burst through the defence. But Ipswich just about hold firm.
08:05 PM GMT
4 mins: Leicester 0 Ipswich 0
Ipswich snapping into tackles, they won’t want LCFC to settle and dominate.
Kasey McAteer with a shot that is blocked.
08:03 PM GMT
2 mins: Leicester 0 Ipswich 0
Ipswich dither at the back, Cannon surges through but there’s just enough bodies back to crowd him out.
08:02 PM GMT
1 mins: Leicester 0 Ipswich 0
Leicester City on the front foot early on. Splendid atmosphere.
08:00 PM GMT
Leicester manager Maresca
is serving a touchline ban so will be communicating via his representative on earth, coach Danny Walker.
07:59 PM GMT
Ipswich are in an all-orange strip
Leicester in their blue.
07:56 PM GMT
The players
emerge from the tunnel
07:45 PM GMT
Players are out on the pitch
Dear old Neil Warnock’s just got off a good one about the clothes the young fellers wear these days. Where would you rather be?
07:25 PM GMT
The Stately Home is back
Two changes to the Leicester side that started the 3-1 defeat at Coventry.
IN: Choudhury and McAteer.
OUT: Casadei (recalled by Chelsea) and Fatawu (suspended).
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall starts (surprise, surprise).https://t.co/I8sZwPYAmZ— Stuart Watson (@Stuart_Watson) January 22, 2024
07:15 PM GMT
Teams
Leicester: Hermansen, Ricardo Pereira, Vestergaard, Faes, Justin, Choudhury, Winks, McAteer, Dewsbury-Hall, Mavididi, Cannon. Subs: Coady, Doyle, Vardy, Albrighton, Praet, Akgun, Marcal-Madivadua, Stolarczyk, Nelson.
Ipswich: Hladky, Clarke, Woolfenden, Edmundson, Davis, Travis, Luongo, Burns, Chaplin, Harness, Jackson. Subs: Walton, Ball, Taylor, Giraud-Hutchinson, Sarmiento, Aluko, Humphreys, Broadhead, Tuanzebe.
Referee: Josh Smith (Lincolnshire)
07:09 PM GMT
Kieran McKenna, Ipswich manager
“Such a busy Christmas period but we have had a good run now to prepare for a really important game. Big opponent. Spirits and morale are high.”
07:08 PM GMT
More from Warnock
“Very difficult for other teams in the division this season with those three big clubs (Leeds, Saints, Leicester) coming down with their huge budgets.
“Ipswich, proper football club. They will find it tough tonight but it won’t be for want of trying.”
07:06 PM GMT
Neil Warnock
“When you are young you want to do everything quickly and that is what did for Troy there.”
07:05 PM GMT
Troy Deeney
“Things I would have done differently, which is why you say sorry for what you said out loud. We put things into place to succeed but the powers-that-be saw it differently. Neil’s told me that I am proper manager now that I’ve been sacked!”
07:04 PM GMT
Good guests!
Neil Warnock and Troy Deeney.
07:03 PM GMT
Ipswich had gone five
without a win before being Sunderland last time out.
06:53 PM GMT
Brighton vs Wolves teams
Brighton: Steele, Hinshelwood, Dunk, van Hecke, Estupinan, Gross, Gilmour, Milner, Buonanotte, Welbeck, Joao Pedro. Subs: Verbruggen, Lamptey, Webster, Lallana, Moder, Baleba, Ferguson, Peupion, Boaitey.
Wolverhampton: Jose Sa, Kilman, Dawson, Gomes, Nelson Semedo, Doyle, Lemina, Doherty, Sarabia, Pedro Neto, Matheus Cunha. Subs: Mosquera, Griffiths, Santiago Bueno, Hugo Bueno, Bentley, Bellegarde, Hodge, Chirewa, Fraser.
Referee: Craig Pawson (South Yorkshire)
06:29 PM GMT
Key Championship clash ahoy!
Hello, something a bit different for our Monday night football blog this January evening as we turn our attention to the Championship, where Ipswich Town travel to the King Power Stadium to face Leicester City. The hosts are top of the league on 65 points from 27 games and their visitors from Suffolk are on 58 points from 28, back in third. With Southampton and Leeds also formidable forces this term it is going to be a very competitive run-in. Ipswich have hit a rocky patch with their form, assembling just six points from the last 15, but Leicester themselves tasted defeat last time out when they swallowed the bitter pill of a 3-1 loss at Coventry. Ipswich will stay third no matter what happens tonight (unless hit for a cricket score) but the Foxes could open up a ten point gap on Southampton and tonight’s rivals. All to play for, then.
Wee bit of news just coming out of Leicester this evening: Leicester goalkeeper Alex Smithies has retired from professional football due to injury.
Smithies, 33, played nearly 500 senior games for Huddersfield, QPR and Cardiff during a 17-year playing career.
He joined Leicester in August 2022 but did not make a senior appearance for the Foxes.
“Alex Smithies has left Leicester City after announcing his retirement from the professional game,” a club statement read. “Leicester City would like to place on record our appreciation to Alex and offer him and his family our best wishes for the future.”
Tough one for the player. He was in the England under-19s back in the day, had a fine career for Huddersfield and later at Loftus Road. Hope he has a good retirement.
We’ll also be following the Premier League match this evening in which Brighton host Wolves, that kicks off a bit earlier than this one. We’ll have team news for Leicester vs Ipswich at around 7pm when the line-ups are named and then the kick off will be at 8pm. Stick around for the build up and news before that.
