Ipswich Town marked their return to Portman Road with a commanding win over Swansea City, delivering one of their most complete home performances of the season.
Anis Mehmeti’s early thunderbolt set the tone before Ivan Azon and George Hirst added deserved goals.
Kieran McKenna’s side looked sharp, confident and in full control throughout, keeping pace with the Championship’s frontrunners.
Ipswich wasted no time asserting themselves, winning a corner inside ten seconds as Leif Davis chased down a long ball from Dara O’Shea. The early pressure paid off almost instantly.
Dan Neil spun away from Melker Widell and released Mehmeti down the left, and after his first effort was blocked, the winger smashed a rising strike into the roof of the net for a third‑minute opener.
Swansea tried to respond with neat spells of possession, but an offside flag halted their only moment of promise before Gustavo Nunes fired into the net.
Ipswich, meanwhile, continued to grow in confidence, with Cedric Kipre’s passing and Davis’ overlapping runs stretching the visitors.
Azon went close with a header from a corner, denied only by a superb save from Lawrence Vigouroux. But the second goal finally arrived in 41 minutes.
Mehmeti kept a loose ball alive near the corner flag, feeding Davis, who threaded a clever pass into Azon.
From a tight angle, the Spaniard opened his body and guided a composed finish into the far corner.
Swansea’s only real chance came in stoppage time when Malick Yalcouye forced Christian Walton into a smart save from distance.
They ended the half without a single touch inside Ipswich’s penalty area.
Swansea emerged with more purpose after the break, with Liam Cullen testing Walton early.
Manager Vitor Matos made a triple change on 55 minutes, introducing Zan Vipotnik, Goncalo Franco and Ronald to inject energy into their attack.
McKenna responded with Jack Clarke and Jack Taylor, later followed by George Hirst and Kasey McAteer.
The game entered a quieter spell, with Swansea seeing more of the ball but rarely threatening Ipswich’s defensive structure. A third goal felt necessary to kill the contest, and it arrived ruthlessly.
On 74 minutes, Mehmeti pressed Josh Tymon into surrendering possession deep in Swansea territory.
The winger slipped the ball to Hirst, who steadied himself before drilling home his second goal in as many games.
Moments later, Hirst almost added another, meeting a Mehmeti cross with a firm header that Vigouroux clawed away.
Swansea’s late free-kick from Vipotnik clipped the bar, but by then the game was long gone. Ipswich closed out the match with authority, securing consecutive wins and another clean sheet.
Ipswich Town (4-2-3-1)
Christian Walton; Darnell Furlong, Dara O’Shea, Cedric Kipré, Leif Davis; Azor Matusiwa, Dan Neil; Wes Burns, Marcelino Núñez, Anis Mehmeti; Ivan Azón
Subs: Jens Cajuste (on 84’), Jack Taylor (on 61’), Jack Clarke (on 61’), Kasey McAteer (on 69’), George Hirst (on 69’)
Lawrence Vigouroux; Trai Hume Galbraith, Ben Cabango, Nathaniel Burgess, Josh Tymon; Marko Stamenic; Kyung-Min Eom, Malick Yalcouye, Melker Widell, Gustavo Nunes; Liam Cullen
Subs: Ronald Pereira Martins (on 55’), Gonçalo Franco (on 55’), Zan Vipotnik (on 55’), Charlie Ward (on 76’), Zachary Walta (on 76’)
Starting XI Ratings
Christian Walton – 7; Darnell Furlong – 7; Dara O’Shea – 7; Cedric Kipré – 8; Leif Davis – 8; Azor Matusiwa – 7; Dan Neil – 8; Wes Burns – 7; Marcelino Núñez – 7; Anis Mehmeti – 9 (MOTM; Ivan Azón – 8
Jack Taylor – 7; Jack Clarke – 7; Kasey McAteer – 6; George Hirst – 8; Jens Cajuste – N/A
Ipswich’s performance was defined by energy, control and a clear attacking identity, with Anis Mehmeti and Ivan Azón leading the charge and Leif Davis producing another tireless display down the left.
The substitutes maintained the tempo, while George Hirst’s sharp finish added gloss to a dominant night at Portman Road.
