Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna hailed his side's 2-0 win over Chelsea on Monday as a "special night for the club".
Goals in either half from Liam Delap and former Chelsea winger Omari Hutchinson earned Ipswich a maiden home win since promotion at the 10th attempt and a first at Portman Road in the Premier League since 2002.
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“It’s a special night for the club, for the players and fans. First home win in the Premier League at Portman Road for 22 years and to do it against Chelsea in the manner we did was fantastic, McKenna told Sky Sports after the match.
"Most of the supporters who have been here for 22 years, every moment here is a landmark for them. Winning the home game is another special little landmark. But I think the time of year, the night game, the opponent make this a special night and I want everyone to enjoy it a lot.
“But on the inside we get ready for the next one. We'll be back into work on Wednesday and getting ready for Sunday.”
| Position Pos | Club | Played Pl | GD | Points Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 |
Everton
EVE
|
18 | -9 | 17 |
| 17 |
Wolves
WOL
|
19 | -11 | 16 |
| 18 |
Ipswich
IPS
|
19 | -15 | 15 |
| 19 |
Leicester
LEI
|
19 | -20 | 14 |
| 20 |
Southampton
SOU
|
19 | -27 | 6 |
Neither Hutchinson or Delap, both born in 2003, were alive the last time Ipswich competed in the Premier League and the latter's contribution, in which he won and scored a penalty before creating the second, impressed McKenna.
"He's [Delap] improving all the time. His rate of improvement for a young player is really high. His style is enjoyable to watch for anyone. There's not many like him out there and he's playing incredible Premier League defenders every week."
After ending 2024 with a win, McKenna and Ipswich begin the New Year with a trip to Fulham on Sunday.