Maresca's Chelsea Stumble Again As Ipswich Make History

Chelseas Premier League title aspirations took a significant hit as lowly Ipswich Town secured a stunning 2-0 victory at Portman Road on Monday.

Enzo Marescas side, reeling from a recent loss to Fulham, were undone by Liam Delaps early penalty and a second-half strike from ex-Chelsea winger Omari Hutchinson. The loss leaves Chelsea in fourth place, 10 points adrift of leaders Liverpool, who hold a game in hand.

Maresca downplayed title talk, emphasising his focus on steady progress, We focus game by game. Its a long race. No one expected us to be where we are.

Ipswich, sitting third from the bottom, celebrated their first top-flight home win in 22 years, narrowing the gap to safety to just one point. Manager Kieran McKenna praised the historic victory, Special night for the club To do it against Chelsea was fantastic.

A 12th-minute spot-kick by Delap following a foul by Chelsea keeper Filip Jorgensen, set the tone. Then Hutchinson, the former Chelsea youth product sealed the win with a well-taken goal in the 53rd minute.