Ipswich Town column: Christian Walton and Liam Delap catch the eye in first Premier League win of the season at Portman Road against Chelsea

Get in there! After 22 years we have finally seen Ipswich Town win a Premier League game at home. It’s the first I’ve ever seen and what a night.

That performance was perfect for a team down at the bottom facing one of the big boys, and Kieran McKenna got his style and system absolutely spot on.

We completely rattled them. From minute one we were aggressive, direct and defended superbly – all while keeping the goal threat going at the other end.

It was such a proud night and a fitting way to finish a historic 2024 for the club. I’m gleaming writing this. We’ve deserved that and I’m so proud to see it’s finally happened.

Now, the obvious talking points are going to be Christian Walton and Liam Delap. Let’s start with the goalkeeper first. I was shocked to see Aro Muric had been dropped. I thought after all the previous mistakes, that it was now and like it or lump it, Aro was our goalkeeper. But Christian got his chance and looked like a man who was not prepared to let it slip.

He was excellent. Calm, collected crosses and made a fine save to stop Cole Palmer. Everything he did was tidy and I think the biggest thing I noticed was how much more he communicated with his defenders. There was fist pumping and chat throughout the whole game, we looked more settled with him in the net. I hope he stays. He’s got to now surely!

Now, as for Mr Delap – what on earth have we got here? When he signed, I never thought he’d be like this. I don’t think anyone did! But the 21-year-old looks unstoppable and the way he’s able to just run past defenders with ease, bouncing them off him, is something I’ve not seen before.

It was a remarkable night for him, but sadly for us, one that puts him further into the limelight for others to come snooping. Hopefully not in January.

As we approach a new year, it’s important to appreciate just how special this one has been for Town. There’s been highs and lows, but we’ve been more up than down and 2024 will be a year we look back on for a long time to come. It’s got me thinking, what’s your favourite match of 2024? There’s got to be a few nominations now. If I had to give it a top three then I’d say…

3) Ipswich 2 Chelsea 0

Just a brilliant game and performance from start to the finish. We finally saw ourselves on the right end of decisions. Was this the night that it all clicked into place? Special.

2) Tottenham 1 Ipswich 2

Of course this had to be in there. The first win, away at Spurs! Another special day and special performance, we deserved what we got that day.

And for me, the best of 2024…

1) Coventry City 1 Ipswich 2

The night we done it. A huge and historic win. There was no way we weren’t going up from here and that game epitomised everything about us that season.

Happy New Year Town fans. Here’s hoping the current gulf in class between Norfolk and Suffolk’s football clubs remains the same in 2025.