Brighton 0-0 Ipswich Town. Unbeaten Brighton were left frustrated after being held to a goalless draw by Ipswich at the Amex Stadium.
Despite dominating possession, Brighton struggled to create clear-cut chances, with the visitors coming closest to snatching a victory on the south coast.
Brighton started the match with patience, moving the ball around and waiting for the right moment to increase the tempo. Carlos Baleba had the first notable effort, showcasing his footwork on the edge of the box before hitting a low shot that Ipswich goalkeeper Arijanet Muric expertly saved.
The early stages saw few opportunities, but Brighton picked up the pace as the half progressed, putting pressure on Ipswich, particularly through the efforts of Minteh. Several promising attacks broke down at crucial moments, and when openings did arise, Rutter and Mitoma were both thwarted by Muric.
The second half began with a quicker tempo. Danny Welbeck curled a free-kick just wide, and Rutter fired another shot off target, but Ipswich’s defense remained resolute. Liam Delap’s chance at the other end briefly disrupted Brighton’s momentum.
In the closing stages, Brighton had several shots blocked but struggled to create significant chances, much to their disappointment.
Ipswich’s resilience was commendable. Despite some impressive football in the Championship under Kieran McKenna, Ipswich’s performance in this match was more about defense than flair. They failed to register a shot in the first half but defended strongly against a Brighton side known for their skillful play.
Ipswich limited Brighton to just two major chances, both in the same sequence, and Muric made saves he would expect to make. After weathering the storm before the break, Ipswich gained confidence from a chance by Delap early in the second half. Delap’s solo run resulted in a fierce shot that hit the post.
Brighton continued to dominate possession, with their closest effort coming 10 minutes before halftime. Georginio Rutter capitalized on Yankuba Minteh’s pass to create space in the box but saw his shot saved by Muric. The rebound fell to Kaoru Mitoma, who looked set to score, but Muric again made a crucial save.
Brighton pressed for a decisive goal, with Evan Ferguson curling a shot narrowly wide late on, but the breakthrough eluded them.
Brighton remain unbeaten with two wins and two draws from their first four games, while Ipswich continue their search for their first Premier League win since their return. This draw could prove valuable for Ipswich as the season progresses.
source – BBC