Tottenham Cruise to 4-1 Victory Over Ipswich Town with Commanding Display
Tottenham Cruise to 4-1 Victory Over Ipswich Town with Commanding Display
Date: February 22, 2025
On Saturday, February 22, 2025, Tottenham Hotspur delivered a dominant 4-1 victory over Ipswich Town at Portman Road. A brace from Brennan Johnson and goals from James Maddison and Richarlison secured an emphatic win, keeping Spurs firmly in the race for a top-four finish.
Pre-Match Context
Ipswich Town’s Perspective
Ipswich Town, currently in a relegation battle, came into this fixture needing a positive result to boost their survival hopes. After a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace in their previous game, Kieran McKenna’s side was looking to cause an upset against a high-flying Tottenham team.
Tottenham’s Perspective
Spurs, sitting in 4th place, were aiming to consolidate their position in the Champions League spots. Having secured a 1-0 win against Manchester United in their last match, Ange Postecoglou’s team looked to continue their winning run and build momentum for the final stretch of the season.
Team Formations and Lineups
Ipswich Town’s Formation: 4-4-2
Kieran McKenna opted for a compact 4-4-2 formation, hoping to stifle Tottenham’s attacking movement and exploit counter-attacks.
Starting XI:
- Goalkeeper: Václav Hladký
- Defenders: Harry Clarke (RB), Luke Woolfenden (CB), Cameron Burgess (CB), Leif Davis (LB)
- Midfielders: Wes Burns (RM), Sam Morsy (CM), Massimo Luongo (CM), Nathan Broadhead (LM)
- Forwards: George Hirst (ST), Conor Chaplin (ST)
Ipswich’s game plan was to remain compact defensively and look for quick transitions through Burns and Broadhead.
Tottenham’s Formation: 4-3-3
Ange Postecoglou fielded an attacking 4-3-3, focusing on quick passing and width.
Starting XI:
- Goalkeeper: Guglielmo Vicario
- Defenders: Pedro Porro (RB), Cristian Romero (CB), Micky van de Ven (CB), Destiny Udogie (LB)
- Midfielders: Yves Bissouma (CM), James Maddison (CAM), Pape Matar Sarr (CM)
- Forwards: Dejan Kulusevski (RW), Richarlison (ST), Brennan Johnson (LW)
Spurs relied on Maddison’s creativity in midfield and the pace of Johnson and Kulusevski to break down Ipswich’s defense.
First Half Analysis
Tottenham started strongly, dominating possession and stretching Ipswich’s defensive lines. Their early pressure paid off.
12th Minute – Brennan Johnson Opens the Scoring
A quick passing move saw James Maddison release Brennan Johnson, who slotted home with a composed finish to make it 1-0 to Spurs.
Ipswich responded with a spirited spell of attacking play, and their efforts were rewarded.
27th Minute – George Hirst Levels for Ipswich
After a well-worked counter-attack, George Hirst finished past Vicario to bring the hosts level at 1-1, sending the home crowd into raptures.
However, Tottenham quickly regained control of the game.
34th Minute – Richarlison Restores Spurs’ Lead
Spurs went back in front when Richarlison latched onto a cross from Pedro Porro, heading powerfully into the net for a 2-1 lead.
Second Half Adjustments
Ipswich looked to press higher up the pitch in the second half, but Tottenham’s quality in midfield allowed them to control proceedings.
54th Minute – Maddison Extends the Lead
James Maddison added a third goal for Spurs, finishing off a sweeping team move with a clinical shot into the bottom corner.
72nd Minute – Johnson Completes His Brace
Brennan Johnson wrapped up the victory with his second goal of the game, cutting inside from the left before curling a brilliant effort past the goalkeeper to make it 4-1.
Despite Ipswich’s late attacking efforts, Spurs remained solid at the back and saw out the game comfortably.
Post-Match Reflections
Brennan Johnson on His Two Goals:
"It’s always great to score, but more importantly, we got the three points. We’re pushing hard for a top-four finish."
Ange Postecoglou’s Verdict:
"The boys executed the game plan perfectly. We controlled possession and took our chances well. A professional performance."
Kieran McKenna’s Reaction:
"We had our moments, but Tottenham’s quality showed in the second half. We’ll take the positives and keep fighting."
Statistical Analysis
| Statistic | Ipswich Town | Tottenham |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 36% | 64% |
| Total Shots | 7 | 18 |
| Shots on Target | 2 | 8 |
| Pass Accuracy | 75% | 87% |
| Corners | 3 | 7 |
Spurs dominated possession and had significantly more shots on target, highlighting their attacking efficiency.
What This Means for Both Teams
Ipswich Town’s Perspective:
- Remains in 19th place, still battling relegation.
- Encouraging moments but defensive weaknesses persist.
- Must regroup ahead of their next crucial fixture.
Tottenham’s Perspective:
- Stays firmly in 4th place, strengthening their Champions League hopes.
- Johnson and Maddison were outstanding, showing their attacking class.
- Strong momentum heading into the final third of the season.
Conclusion
Tottenham’s 4-1 win over Ipswich Town was a clinical display of attacking football, with Johnson, Maddison, and Richarlison starring in the victory. Despite a brief scare from Ipswich, Spurs showed their top-four credentials, while Ipswich will need to improve defensively to avoid relegation. With the race for European football intensifying, Spurs will look to build on this dominant performance in their upcoming fixtures.