adminIpswich Town manager Gary O’Neil believes his side deserved their 2-1 victory over Sunderland at Portman Road on the opening day of the season, with Jack Clarke’s late strike securing all three points.
Sunderland made a strong start against the newly promoted hosts and took the lead through Emersonn, who scored his first goal for the club. Ipswich responded before the break, with Nilson Angulo producing an outstanding free-kick to level the contest.
The visitors then handed Ipswich an opportunity late in the game with a misplaced pass, allowing Clarke to find the winner.
O’Neil praised his players’ fitness, determination and pressing after the decisive goal came from sustained pressure in the closing stages.
“We were never going to settle for 1-1, even though that would have been a good result against a strong Sunderland side,” O’Neil said.
“We kept trying to push forward and apply pressure high up the pitch. For the winning goal to come from a pressing phase so late in the game shows the togetherness, fitness and work-rate of the players.
“The substitutes made a big difference by bringing fresh energy. Three, possibly four, of them were involved in that final pressing phase. We wouldn’t have been able to do it with just the starting XI. It’s going to take everyone at this football club working together to produce results like this, and that’s exactly what we’re aiming for.”
O’Neil was pleased with the overall performance and felt Ipswich merited the victory despite Sunderland enjoying plenty of possession.
“I thought we deserved to win,” he added. “Sunderland had a lot of the ball, but they scored a world-class goal to get themselves back into the game. That was certainly a welcome back to the Premier League moment.
“I’m really pleased with our players. They were excellent to a man. We worked hard to direct the ball towards their left side and tried to be aggressive with our pressing. I thought that worked really well.
“For the plan to still be effective so late in the game, with the substitutes coming on and understanding it so quickly, was excellent. We were then able to punish them. The second goal showed great team understanding, while the first was unbelievable quality from Julio [Enciso].”
Enciso was one of the standout performers after joining Ipswich from RC Strasbourg earlier in the week. The attacking midfielder consistently troubled Sunderland and also played an important role defensively, helping to limit the influence of Granit Xhaka.
O’Neil revealed that Ipswich had worked extremely hard to bring the Paraguayan to the club and believes he can provide the creativity and work rate required to make a difference.
“We worked our socks off to sign him,” O’Neil said. “Not only does he produce those moments of magic, but his work ethic and ability to defend and stop Xhaka finding his rhythm are also important. There aren’t many number 10s with his quality who can also contribute so much defensively.
“He’s special in that respect. It was an excellent performance, and that’s why we brought him here. We need players who can make a difference.”
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