Match ends, Ipswich Town 2, Wolverhampton Wanderers 2.
IpswichIpswich Town2WolvesWolverhampton Wanderers2
Wolves twice came from behind at Portman Road to deservedly earn a point against their former manager Mick McCarthy's Ipswich Town.
Jonathan Douglas scored his second goal in as many games to give Ipswich a 16th-minute lead, only for James Henry to equalise just before the break.
Daryl Murphy then restored Ipswich's lead with his fifth goal of the season.
But they were again pegged back when Benik Afobe headed in 15 minutes from time - his first goal in six matches.
Afobe had been kept quiet until he did well to find space between two Ipswich defenders and head home substitute Adam Le Fondre's cross.
| No winning goal for Murphy this time |
|---|
| Daryl Murphy scored twice in the corresponding fixture last season when the Tractor Boys ran out 2-1 winners. |
Wolves started well, as the rampaging Dominic Iorfa was denied by a brilliant sliding tackle by former Wolves defender Christophe Berra before Wolves debutant Jordan Graham's shot was blocked by Tommy Smith and then grabbed by grounded home keeper Dean Gerken.
But Ipswich took the lead slightly against the run of play after Freddie Sears combined down the left with Danish full-back Jonas Knudsen, whose low cross was left by Murphy for Douglas to coolly find the net with the outside of his right boot.
Brett Pitman then twice went close before Wolves levelled when Graham's far-post corner was knocked back by on-loan Newcastle defender Mike Williamson and Henry turned in from close range.
Ipswich regained the lead nine minutes after the restart when Cole Skuse set up Pitman, whose cross-shot drifted past the stuttering Carl Ikeme, allowing Murphy the simple task of heading into the empty net.
But Afobe had the last word for Wolves with only his third goal in 12 appearances as Kenny Jackett's side earned a second successive draw.
Ipswich Town manager Mick McCarthy:
"I'm pleased with our performance but disappointed with the goals we conceded. We twice let them off the hook by twice allowing them to get back into the game.
"We played well but the mistakes make it even more frustrating that I am sat here with one point rather than three. We showed plenty of attacking threat but their first goal started with our attack on the edge of their area - that's not right.
"We were ruthless going forward but not ruthless enough at the back. It was an exciting game and I am sure it was great to watch for any neutral."
Wolves head coach Kenny Jackett:
"We deserved a point but I don't think we deserved to win. I was very pleased with how we came from behind twice and we showed great character. Ipswich are a good side and this is a tough place to come - so I would have taken a point at the start.
"Adam Le Fondre did really well when he came on, both his assist for the second equaliser and his overall attitude. When we went to two up front, the game opened up and we had chances to win on the break.
"We need to start climbing the table but this match was a snapshot of our season. We need to cut out the inconsistencies in our game and iron out those certain mistakes which are costing us goals. Then when we score, like you saw, it gives you a burst of confidence."
Line-ups
Ipswich
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Gerken
- 4ChambersBooked at 90mins
- 5Smith
- 6Berra
- 3Knudsen
- 17BruSubstituted forMaitland-Nilesat 69'minutes
- 8Skuse
- 22Douglas
- 11Pitman
- 9Murphy
- 20Sears
Substitutes
- 2Parr
- 7Maitland-Niles
- 15Oar
- 16Coke
- 21Malarczyk
- 33Bialkowski
- 39Toure
Wolves
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Ikeme
- 18Iorfa
- 6Batth
- 5Williamson
- 3Golbourne
- 11McDonald
- 19Price
- 7HenryBooked at 11mins
- 4EdwardsSubstituted forLe Fondreat 65'minutesBooked at 90mins
- 24GrahamSubstituted forOjoat 77'minutes
- 10Afobe
Substitutes
- 2Doherty
- 16Coady
- 20Ojo
- 25Byrne
- 27Holt
- 29Le Fondre
- 31Flatt
- Referee:
- Gavin Ward
- Attendance:
- 19,227
Match Stats
Home TeamIpswichAway TeamWolves
- Possession
- Home50%
- Away50%
- Shots
- Home14
- Away12
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away4
- Corners
- Home3
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home13
- Away8
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Ipswich Town 2, Wolverhampton Wanderers 2.
Post update
Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Luke Chambers (Ipswich Town).
Booking
Adam Le Fondre (Wolverhampton Wanderers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Adam Le Fondre (Wolverhampton Wanderers).
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Freddie Sears (Ipswich Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Booking
Luke Chambers (Ipswich Town) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Sheyi Ojo (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Luke Chambers (Ipswich Town).
Post update
Foul by Michael Williamson (Wolverhampton Wanderers).
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Jonathan Douglas (Ipswich Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Attempt saved. Jonathan Douglas (Ipswich Town) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Cole Skuse (Ipswich Town) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Post update
Attempt missed. Kevin McDonald (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from the right side of the box is high and wide to the left.
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James Henry (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Freddie Sears (Ipswich Town).
Post update
Foul by Benik Afobe (Wolverhampton Wanderers).
Post update
Christophe Berra (Ipswich Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt saved. Jonathan Douglas (Ipswich Town) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Daryl Murphy.
