Ipswich Town produced a stunning 1-0 won over Arsenal in the first leg of the Carling Cup Semi-Finals.
Tamas Priskin scored a late winner that allowed Ipswich to mark a remarkable turnaround in fortunes in the space of three days. On Sunday they were beaten 7-0 in the FA Cup, but managed to turn it around and triumph 1-0 over Premier League title contenders Arsenal.
Arsenal were held to a 1-1 tie by Leeds United at the weekend, and produced another disappointing performance against a Championship team here.
With new manager Paul Jewell watching from the stands, Ipswich successfully used a five man midfield to close space and make it difficult for Arsenal to keep possession.
Arsenal started quickly and had an early chance when Cesc Fabregas just failed to connect with an Andriy Arshavin cross. The Gunners continued to pressure, and almost forced an own goal when Marton Fulop had to react well to keep out a wayward Carlos Edwards header.
Ipswich settled into the game and had chances of their own when Edwards had a shot blocked by Kieran Gibbs, and Priskin cut in from the left before firing wide. The Tractor Boys went close to taking a lead just before half-time but David Norris just failed to connect with young striker Connor Wickham’s cross. Priskin then thought he had opened the scoring but his spectacular overhead kick was ruled out for offside.
The home team remained on the front foot after the restart, and Mark Kennedy reflected their confidence when he tried to beat Wojciech Szczesny from the halfway line. Priskin was denied by a good piece of defending from Johan Djorou before Arsenal finally exerted some consistent pressure.
Theo Walcott forced a good save from Fulop, before Fabregas just failed to convert a Gibbs cross. However, the home team would produce the game’s only goal in the 78th minute.
Colin Healy released Priskin with a clever through ball, and the Hungarian striker took a touch before finishing coolly beyond Szczesny.
Arsenal rallied for the final 12 minutes, but a Walcott effort that was blocked by Fulop was as close as they could come to an equalizer. Ipswich held on for a 1-0 lead that they will fight hard to defend in the second leg at the Emirates Stadium.
SCORING SUMMARY
IPS – Priskin (Healy) 78’
LINEUPS
IPS – Fulop, Peters, McAuley, Delaney, O’Dea, Edwards, Norris, Healy, Kennedy, Wickham, Priskin (Murray 90).
ARS – Szczesny, Koscielny, Djorou, Eboue, Gibbs, Fabregas, Walcott, Denilson, Wilshere (A Song 68), Arshavin (Vela 80), Bendtner (Chamakh 68).
Arsenal were held to a 1-1 tie by Leeds United at the weekend, and produced another disappointing performance against a Championship team here.
With new manager Paul Jewell watching from the stands, Ipswich successfully used a five man midfield to close space and make it difficult for Arsenal to keep possession.
Arsenal started quickly and had an early chance when Cesc Fabregas just failed to connect with an Andriy Arshavin cross. The Gunners continued to pressure, and almost forced an own goal when Marton Fulop had to react well to keep out a wayward Carlos Edwards header.
Ipswich settled into the game and had chances of their own when Edwards had a shot blocked by Kieran Gibbs, and Priskin cut in from the left before firing wide. The Tractor Boys went close to taking a lead just before half-time but David Norris just failed to connect with young striker Connor Wickham’s cross. Priskin then thought he had opened the scoring but his spectacular overhead kick was ruled out for offside.
The home team remained on the front foot after the restart, and Mark Kennedy reflected their confidence when he tried to beat Wojciech Szczesny from the halfway line. Priskin was denied by a good piece of defending from Johan Djorou before Arsenal finally exerted some consistent pressure.
Theo Walcott forced a good save from Fulop, before Fabregas just failed to convert a Gibbs cross. However, the home team would produce the game’s only goal in the 78th minute.
Colin Healy released Priskin with a clever through ball, and the Hungarian striker took a touch before finishing coolly beyond Szczesny.
Arsenal rallied for the final 12 minutes, but a Walcott effort that was blocked by Fulop was as close as they could come to an equalizer. Ipswich held on for a 1-0 lead that they will fight hard to defend in the second leg at the Emirates Stadium.
SCORING SUMMARY
IPS – Priskin (Healy) 78’
LINEUPS
IPS – Fulop, Peters, McAuley, Delaney, O’Dea, Edwards, Norris, Healy, Kennedy, Wickham, Priskin (Murray 90).
ARS – Szczesny, Koscielny, Djorou, Eboue, Gibbs, Fabregas, Walcott, Denilson, Wilshere (A Song 68), Arshavin (Vela 80), Bendtner (Chamakh 68).
