Sancho salvages point but Chelsea lose ground in Champions League race

Chelsea's Jadon Sancho celebrates scoring their side's second goal. Pic: Nigel French/PA Wire.

Premier League: Chelsea 2 Ipswich 2  

Jadon Sancho's fine equaliser prevented still-doomed Ipswich from celebrating a home and away double, but this result was a big boost for Chelsea's rivals for Champions League qualification.

Ipswich, who beat Chelsea 2-0 at Portman Road in December, were 2-0 up at the break through Julio Enciso and Ben Johnson.

Chelsea pulled one back within 18 seconds of the restart through Axel Tuanzebe's own goal, but despite creating many chances, had only Sancho's cracker to show for it.

Chelsea started as though they meant business, but just couldn't convert domination into anything tangible. 

Nicolas Jackson pinged a post from close range before and after teammates either forced Alex Palmer into saves or failed to hit the target from inviting positions.

Ipswich had seemed unable to string two passes together before suddenly it clicked on the counter-attack for Kieran McKenna's visitors.

George Hirst, in up front for the injured Liam Delap, powered forward and released Johnson for a ball across the box that Enciso, nipping in between the centre-backs, poked home in the 19th minute. It was the Brighton loanee's first Ipswich goal.

Chelsea were caught out again in the 31st minute when Johnson arrived at the back post to nod across Robert Sanchez. Enciso, the supplier of the cross, was flagged offside but the semi-automated technology introduced this weekend ruled he was marginally on.

Chelsea were booed off at the break but required just 18 second-half seconds to pull a goal back, with Tuanzebe diverting Noni Madueke's low ball into his own goal.

However, Hirst twice went close at the other end as Ipswich regained some composure and Chelsea reverted to creating chances without taking them.

Substitute Sancho showed them how to do it with his first goal since December 8. The on-loan Manchester United man dropped off to receive the ball just inside on the left from a short corner. He took aim and found the far top corner.

Chelsea pressed for a winner but Town keeper Palmer pulled off two fine saves in stoppage-time, first to deny Cole Palmer and then Enzo Fernandez.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez 6; Chalobah 6, Adarabioyo 5 (Gusto 46, 5), Colwill 6, Cucurella 6; Caicedo 6, Fernandez 6; Madueke 6 (Sancho 68, 6), Palmer 6, Neto 6; Jackson 5 (Nkunku 87).

Ipswich Town (4-2-3-1): Palmer 9; Tuanzebe 6, O'Shea 7, Burgess 6, Davis 6 (Townsend 62, 5); Morsy 6, Cajuste 7; Johnson 7, Enciso 7 (Taylor 75), J Clarke 6 (Philogene 71 (Broadhead 75)); Hirst 7 (Delap 71).

Referee: Stuart Attwell 6