Ipswich Town stole all three points with a dramatic 94th-minute winner to secure them a 2-1 triumph over a wasteful Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday afternoon, with the hosts falling to a fourth successive Premier League defeat.
After twice conceding own goals in their outing against Everton 10 days ago, Wolves were once again the architects of their own downfall, with Matt Doherty the culprit this time as Toti Gomes's clearance deflected off Doherty's back and into the net following a scramble inside the Wolves box, a dreadful sequence of events that handed Ipswich the lead.
Wolves were largely in control and looked increasingly likely to score following the opener, and they eventually pulled themselves level when Matheus Cunha once again showcased his quality, firing into the near post for his seventh league goal in 15 appearances, leaving just under 20 minutes to search for a winner.
Despite Wolves often looking the more likely side to find the winner as the game progressed, but it was Ipswich that stole all three points with Jack Taylor's 94th-minute headed winner sending the away fans into a frenzy, a potentially vital moment in this year's relegation battle.
The result means Ipswich are 18th in the table but now just a point behind 17th-placed Crystal Palace, who are yet to play this weekend, while Wolves worryingly fall to yet another defeat, leaving them 16th in the standings with just nine points.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
Wolves' awful defensive record once again comes back to bite them as they concede twice to Ipswich Town, taking their goals-against record to 40 already this campaign after just 16 fixtures.
Gary O'Neil will count himself rather unlucky with some of the losses his side have suffered this season, often performing well but failing to make the most of their chances, and today was yet another of those occasions, converting just one of their 16 shots on Ipswich's goal.
His recent comments about Wolves selling a significant amount of talent in recent windows, making it difficult for his side, rang true once again here, as they appeared wasteful in attack and extremely vulnerable in defence, appearing desperately in need of a central defender.
As for Ipswich, Kieran McKenna will once again be delighted with his side's work rate and performance, picking up what could be a crucial three points to their survival hopes as they now move within three points of safety.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS VS. IPSWICH TOWN HIGHLIGHTS
15th min: Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-1 Ipswich Town (Matt Doherty own-goal)
© Imago
Ipswich take the lead, Doherty deflects a clearance into his own net!
Liam Delap battles past the Wolves defence after a long ball forward and squares the ball to Omari Hutchinson inside the box, who goes past the keeper but has his shot superbly blocked on the line by Doherty.
The ball breaks for Conor Chaplin on the edge of the area, and his shot is blocked by Gomes on the line, but his clearance deflects off Doherty's back and bounces into the net, a horrible way for the hosts to concede.
72nd min: Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-1 Ipswich Town (Matheus Cunha)
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Wolves are level, Cunha scores once again!
The hosts win a number of aerial battles before finally securing possession down the left with Goncalo Guedes, who drives towards the box and plays into the path of the underlapping Cunha.
Cunha fires a first-time strike with his left foot, sending it flying past Arijanet Muric and into the back of the net to pull Wolves level.
94th min: Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-2 Ipswich Town (Jack Taylor)
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Ipswich have won it, Taylor sends the away end into a frenzy!
A corner is fired towards the back post by Jack Clarke, and Taylor climbs above his marker and brilliantly directs his header down and into the bottom right corner, giving Ipswich a dramatic late winner.
95th min: Rayan Ait Nouri (Wolverhampton Wanderers) red card
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Ait Nouri is sent off, adding salt to Wolves' wounds!
The defender, who receives his first yellow in stoppage time of the first half, receives his second in stoppage time of the second after an overspill of emotions at the end of the match.
MAN OF THE MATCH - ARIJANET MURIC
Muric was hugely impressive for Ipswich today, saving five shots to help keep Ipswich in the game and eventually secure all three points with the last-gasp winner.
Three of those saves came from inside the box, while four high claims also helped ease the pressure on his defence at times when Wolves were largely on top of the contest.
Cunha also deserves a mention for his performance, once again putting Wolves on his back with the goal but ultimately failing to help deliver the Old Gold much-needed points.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS VS. IPSWICH TOWN MATCH STATS
Possession: Wolverhampton Wanderers 54%-46% Ipswich Town
Shots: Wolverhampton Wanderers 16-10 Ipswich Town
Shots on target: Wolverhampton Wanderers 6-5 Ipswich Town
Corners: Wolverhampton Wanderers 7-3 Ipswich Town
Fouls: Wolverhampton Wanderers 13-9 Ipswich Town
BEST STATS
Matheus Cunha has scored 22 PL goals for Wolves.
— StatMuse FC (@statmusefc) December 14, 2024
Only Raúl Jiménez has more (40). pic.twitter.com/mmlmvx0EGL
WHAT NEXT?
Wolves' fight for survival will continue with another crucial relegation six-pointer when they face Leicester City at the King Power Stadium next Sunday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Ipswich's long-awaited search for their first Premier League home win of the season will resume when they host Newcastle United at Portman Road on Saturday afternoon.
Ellis Stevens
