Jaden Philogene delivered the first senior hat-trick of his career as Ipswich Town dismantled Sheffield United 5-0 at Portman Road, finally ending their winless start to the Championship season while plunging the Blades deeper into crisis. Two goals in quick succession early in the second half turned a competitive contest into a rout, with George Hirst and substitute Jack Clarke adding further strikes on a chastening night for the visitors.
For Ipswich, it was a cathartic release: a first league win of the campaign, just their second home league victory in 22 attempts and their first on home soil since beating Chelsea in the Premier League on 30 December last year. For Ruben Selles' side, it was a new low. They remain pointless, rooted to the bottom of the table, and have now lost their opening five league games for only the second time in their history, amid increasing scrutiny of their head coach's future.
Bright Blades Start Undone By Matos' Misjudgement
The tone of the evening was set even before kick-off, when Sheffield United captain Gus Hamer was left on the bench in a bold call from Selles. The Spaniard had spoken of spending the international break analysing "absolutely everything", and his team initially looked refreshed rather than broken by their poor start. They pressed with intensity, making life uncomfortable for Ipswich and earning the early encouragement of the away support.