Ipswich Leads Chelsea 2-0 at Halftime in Premier League Clash

IPS WICH, England — Ipswich Town secured a surprising first-half lead, going into halftime 2-0 against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on April 13, 2025. Goals from Julio Enciso in the 19th minute and Benjamin Johnson in the 30th have put the visitors in a commanding position.

The match comes at a crucial juncture in the Premier League season, with both teams needing to adjust their tactics. Ipswich was coming off a disappointing 1-2 loss to Wolverhampton in their previous outing, whereas Chelsea recently managed a 0-0 draw against Brentford.

“Our squad needed to find a rhythm following the recent setbacks,” stated Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna. “We’ve worked hard in training, and it shows on the field.”

After the first half, Ipswich Town sits at 18th place in the standings with just 20 points, having recorded 4 wins, 8 draws, and 19 losses this season. Meanwhile, Chelsea remains in sixth place, aiming for a top-four finish with 53 points (15 wins, 8 draws, and 8 losses).

Chelsea’s coach Enzo Maresca expressed disappointment in his team’s performance. “We need to create more opportunities and finish them off. The scoreline is disappointing; we have to turn this around in the second half,” Maresca said.

Chelsea changed their formation to 4-5-1 for this match, with goalkeeper Robert Sánchez supported by defenders Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo, Levi Colwill, and Marc Cucurella. The midfield comprised Enzo Fernández, Moisés Caicedo, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, and Pedro Neto, while Nicolas Jackson led the attack.

On the other side, Ipswich deployed the same 4-5-1 formation, featuring Alex Palmer in goal and a back line composed of Axel Tuanzebe, Dara O'Shea, Cameron Burgess, and Leif Davis. The midfield included Sam Morsy, Jens-Lys Cajuste, Benjamin Johnson, Julio Enciso, and Jack Clarke, with George Hirst taking the front position.

As play continues into the second half, both teams look to adjust their strategies for a shot at victory in this pivotal Premier League clash.