Tottenham Hotspur continued their resurgence in the Premier League by securing a commanding 4-1 victory over Ipswich Town.
This impressive win took place at Portman Road and was largely inspired by a first-half brace from Brennan Johnson.
Consequently, the victory marked Spurs’ third consecutive league triumph under the management of Ange Postecoglou.
This success signals a robust recovery for the team after facing challenges during the winter season.
Moreover, Johnson delivered a standout performance in Suffolk, following in the footsteps of his father, David Johnson.
His two quick goals in the first half set the tone for Tottenham’s dominant display, ensuring the momentum remained strong.
Finally, late strikes from Djed Spence and Dejan Kulusevski ultimately sealed the three points for Spurs, emphasizing their improved form.
Fast-Paced Start at Portman Road
Ipswich, battling relegation, began the match with intensity. Liam Delap, who had played a pivotal role in Ipswich’s 2-1 upset over Tottenham in November, looked dangerous from the outset. Within the opening minute, Delap tested Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, whose save prevented an early setback. Moments later, Delap’s header struck the post following a Kalvin Phillips free-kick, as the hosts pressed for an early breakthrough.
Tottenham weathered the storm and gradually asserted control. Son Heung-min’s dynamic play on the left flank created Spurs’ first meaningful chance, but solid defending from Dara O’Shea and Jacob Greaves denied Lucas Bergvall and Johnson.
Johnson’s Double Puts Spurs Ahead
The breakthrough came in the 18th minute when Archie Gray delivered a perfectly weighted ball over the top to Son. The South Korean captain showcased his skill, beating Ben Godfrey before delivering a precise cross for Johnson to tap home. A brief offside check confirmed the goal, allowing Spurs to celebrate.
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Eight minutes later, Johnson struck again. Rodrigo Bentancur initiated the move, releasing Son, who cut inside and set up Johnson to calmly slot in his 14th goal of the season. Tottenham nearly added a third before halftime, but Son’s deflected shot went wide.
Ipswich responded in the 36th minute when Kevin Danso lost possession in midfield. Phillips capitalized, threading a pass to Jack Clarke, who found Omari Hutchinson. The winger curled a fine effort into the corner for his third goal of the campaign, reducing the deficit to 2-1 at the break.
Second-Half Drama
The second half began cautiously, with Ipswich forced into an early substitution as Jens Cajuste limped off. The hosts thought they had equalized in the 61st minute when substitute Luke Woolfenden headed in Hutchinson’s cross, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Postecoglou responded by introducing Pedro Porro and James Maddison. The latter faced jeers from Ipswich fans due to his past ties with Norwich City but played a crucial role in Spurs’ late dominance.
In the 77th minute, Maddison showcased his creativity, weaving past two defenders before setting up Djed Spence for Tottenham’s third goal. The visitors sealed their victory six minutes from time when Kulusevski curled in a superb strike off the post, despite protests from Ipswich as Greaves lay injured during the build-up.
Tottenham’s Momentum Builds
The win marked Tottenham’s first streak of three consecutive league victories since December 2023 and demonstrated their determination to climb the table after a difficult period. Brennan Johnson’s clinical display will undoubtedly bolster Postecoglou’s attacking options as Spurs aim to maintain their momentum.
For Ipswich, despite periods of promise and an energetic start, the result leaves them firmly entrenched in the relegation battle. Manager Kieran McKenna will need to rally his side as they fight for survival in the coming weeks.
Tottenham will now look to build on this performance as they continue their push for European qualification, while Ipswich faces an uphill task to secure their Premier League status.
