EPL LIVE: McKenna Ipswich dominated chances but begged for miracle on 95th minutes as season turns from loose to draw” players continue to adapt to McKenna philosophy” great outing” here is the full match performance report…
At St Mary’s, Ipswich defeated fellow promoted team Southampton 1-1 in the Premier League thanks to a thrilling equalizer from Sam Morsy in extra time. Tyler Dibling, an 18-year-old academy graduate, scored his first goal of the season to give Saints a much-needed first-tier victory. However, five minutes after the whistle, Morsy, the captain of Tractor Boys, tied the score with a deflected drive from the edge of the penalty box.
But Tractor Boys captain Morsy levelled five minutes beyond the 90 with a deflected drive from the edge of the penalty box.
Both sides remain without league wins this term, having each played five matches since coming up from the Sky Bet Championship.
Southampton forward Cameron Archer wasted two golden chances, including hitting a post, to give the hosts breathing space while goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale produced superb saves to prevent Omari Hutchinson and George Hirst levelling before the late twist.
Ipswich arrived in Hampshire on the back of successive draws and having done the double over Southampton last season in the second tier.
Manchester City loanee Kalvin Phillips was replaced by Jens Cajuste in the Tractor Boys’ midfield due to a thigh injury while Saints’ four changes included a first league start this term for Adam Lallana.
Former England international Lallana swiftly justified his selection by delightfully setting up a team-mate half his age.
The 36-year-old carved open the visitors’ defence with an exquisite through ball, leaving teenager Dibling to take a couple of touches and gleefully bury a milestone finish beyond Arijanet Muric
Despite the early setback, Ipswich were initially the greater threat. Sammie Szmodics directed a half-volley wide and later fluffed a close-range free header, albeit from an offside position.
Southampton survived more nervy moments but should have stretched their lead in the 27th minute.
With Ipswich appealing in vain for a foul on Liam Delap, Archer was released by Dibling and, having held off Jacob Greaves and Dara O’Shea, rounded goalkeeper Muric, only to roll the ball against the base of the left post.
Town boss Kieran McKenna, who dismissed pre-match suggestions the clash was a six-pointer, would have been frustrated to be behind at the break.
Saints keeper Ramsdale saved from Leif Davis and O’Shea before producing a spectacular stop to turn over Hutchinson’s powerful effort in added time.
Archer, who was culpable of a pivotal penalty miss in last weekend’s 3-0 loss to Manchester United, failed to capitalise on another excellent chance early in the second half, poking straight at Muric after again escaping O’Shea and Greaves.
Town were struggling to rediscover the attacking enterprise they showed in the first half.
Substitute Jack Taylor sparked a mass brawl with a mistimed sliding tackle during an ill-tempered spell which disrupted the rhythm of the match.
McKenna’s men appeared destined to return to Suffolk empty-handed after Ramsdale tipped over a header from substitute Hirst.
But, from the resultant corner, the partially-cleared ball broke kindly to Morsy and his drive took a significant touch of Joe Aribo to fly into the top-left corner.
