Ipswich Town secured a 2-1 victory over Portsmouth at Portman Road as first-half goals from Jaden Philogene and George Hirst proved enough despite a stoppage-time reply from Marlon Pack. Philogene struck inside nine minutes and Hirst added a second four minutes before the interval to give Kieran McKenna’s side what looked to be a comfortable cushion. Pack’s 92nd-minute header from a corner set up a tense finale, but Pompey could not find an equaliser as Ipswich claimed a second consecutive home win in the Championship.
Ipswich largely controlled the contest, especially before half-time, with Jens Cajuste and Azor Matusiwa dictating midfield and the hosts repeatedly threatening a decisive third goal. Portsmouth, who had a huge first-half chance when Yang Min-hyeok was denied one-on-one by Alex Palmer, improved after the break and finished strongly, but their late pressure came only after Ipswich had already passed up several opportunities to put the result beyond doubt.
Philogene’s opener continued a prolific spell at Portman Road, the winger having scored a hat-trick in a 5-0 home win over Sheffield United before last weekend’s abandoned match against Blackburn Rovers. Jacob Greaves remained suspended following his red card in that curtailed fixture, which the English Football League has ordered to be replayed in full, while Portsmouth boss John Mousinho made five changes and handed a debut to goalkeeper Josef Bursik in search of a response on the road.
Philogene strikes early as Ipswich seize control