๐ ๐๐๐ฉ๐ ๐ข๐๐ฆ๐๐ฅ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ก๐ฆ: ๐๐ฝ๐๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ต ๐ง๐ผ๐๐ป ๐ฎ-๐ฌ ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐๐ผ๐น ๐๐ถ๐๐ โ ๐๐น๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ธ๐ฒ ๐๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐น๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ ๐ผ๐๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐ฑ! ๐๏ธ๐ต
By 247sportcity | Wednesday, January 21, 2026
IPSWICH โ Portman Road was rocking on Tuesday night as Ipswich Town secured a professional 2-0 victory over Bristol City, extending their winning streak to five matches in all competitions. A brace from Jack Clarke was the difference, but the narrative ran deeper than just the scoreline.
Here are five key observations from a night that saw Kieran McKennaโs men leapfrog Middlesbrough into the automatic promotion places.
1. Jack Clarke: The Ultimate โNext Man Upโ
With star winger Jaden Philogene sidelined due to injury, the pressure was on Jack Clarke to deliver. He didnโt just deliver; he dominated. Scoring in the 8th and 55th minutes, Clarke moved to 10 goals for the campaign, becoming the club’s leading scorer. His ability to cut inside from the left remains the most predictable yet unstoppable threat in the Championship.
2. The Ivan Azรณn โMasterclassโ
While Clarke grabbed the goals, the plaudits from the Sir Bobby Robson Stand were reserved for Ivรกn Azรณn. Filling in for George Hirst, the Spaniard produced what many are calling his best performance in a Blue shirt. His hold-up play was elite, and his assist for Clarkeโs second goalโa cushioned touch into the wingerโs pathโshowed a level of technical quality that has evolved rapidly since his arrival from Como.
3. A Bitter-Sweet Return for Sam Morsy
The headline off the pitch was the return of former Town skipper Sam Morsy. Having led Ipswich to back-to-back promotions before a surprise move to Kuwait FC (and subsequently Bristol City), Morsy was given a standing ovation when he replaced the injured Zak Vyner in the 27th minute. However, the sentiment ended there; Morsy picked up his customary yellow card and was involved in a heated post-match exchange with Ashley Young.
[Table: Match Statistics โ Tactical Breakdown]
| Category | Ipswich Town | Bristol City | Impact |
| Score | 2 | 0 | Town move 2nd in the table |
| Shots (On Target) | 13 (7) | 8 (2) | Vitek (BC) made a world-class save |
| Possession | 53% | 47% | Town controlled the tempo |
| Yellow Cards | 1 | 6 | Frustration boiled over for the Robins |
4. Defensive Discipline Over โChaos Ballโ
In previous home games, Ipswich have often looked to turn 2-0 leads into 5-0 routs, sometimes leaving themselves exposed. Last night, Kieran McKenna showed a tactical evolution. After the second goal, Town retreated into a disciplined defensive shape. The introduction of Ashley Young and Jack Taylor helped “kill” the game, a sign that this squad is developing the “mentality of winners” needed for the Premier League.
5. Radek Vรญtek: The Wall in the Way of a Rout
The scoreline could have been far uglier for Gerhard Struberโs side if not for Radek Vรญtek. The Bristol City goalkeeper produced a save in the 36th minute that left the stadium in disbelief, somehow tipping an Azรณn strike over the bar from point-blank range. Despite the loss, Vรญtekโs stock continues to rise, though he was ultimately “gifted” the second goal by a lapse in his defense.