Ipswich 1 Arsenal 0:Tamas Priskin fired Championship strugglers Ipswich to a deserved win over a strong Arsenal side in tonight's League Cup semi-final first leg at Portman Road. The Tractors boys had been thrashed 7-0 at Chelsea in their FA Cup third-round tie on Saturday after sacking Roy Keane.
However, there was to be no repeat tonight as under the guidance of Ian McParland, with new boss Paul Jewell watching from the stands, a second-half strike from Priskin gave the Suffolk side reward for their endeavours and a slender advantage which to defend at the Emirates Stadium in a fortnight’s time.
Arsenal had only just scraped a 1-1 draw in their home FA Cup clash against Leeds on Saturday through a last-minute penalty from captain Cesc Fabregas. Arsene Wenger had warned against a repeat performance, and he looked to have taken no chances by naming a strong XI which included Spain World Cup winner Fabregas as well as England internationals Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere.
However, once more the Premier League title challengers failed to hit top gear and were fortunate not to lose by a bigger margin. Both teams made positive starts, with half-chances for Walcott and Fabregas, while Ipswich forward Connor Wickham, a reported Arsenal target, was also lively on a slick playing surface.
Despite all of their positive build-up, just like on Saturday, the Premier League side lacked a cutting edge in the final third. Slowly Ipswich worked their way back into the tie, forcing a couple of corners to give the capacity crowd a lift.
Wojciech Szczesny flapped at a ball into the six-yard box as Gareth McAuley headed over, before Ipswich captain David Norris was inches away from connecting with Wickham’s left-wing cross.
Ipswich continued to take the game to their illustrious visitors, Wickham again catching the eye with some powerful runs. Mark Kennedy robbed Fabregas and, with Szczesny off his line, tried an audacious 35-yard lob, but the 6ft 5ins Pole recovered quickly to make a comfortable save.
Just after the hour, somehow Arsenal survived when a long ball caught out Koscielny. For a moment Priskin was clean through on goal, however Johan Djourou made a brilliant interception to knock the ball over his own crossbar from inside the six-yard box.
Ipswich finally made the breakthrough after 78 minutes when Colin Healy’s through-ball split the Arsenal centre-backs and Priskin got ahead of Djourou to calmly slot into the bottom right corner.
Wenger immediately sent on pacy Mexican forward Carlos Vela, replacing Arshavin. The Gunners pressed forward, with Fulop coming out to block Walcott before Szczesny saved from Carlos Edwards at his near post and the Tractor Boys closed out for a famous victory.
