Ipswich exceeds expectations and climbs to ninth place

Where many saw Ipswich Town this season immediately as a relegation candidate, the promoted side now proves that expectation to be unfounded. After a point against Nottingham Forest the Tractor Boys sit above established clubs and show that they can compete in the Premier League.

Friday evening the Tractor Boys fought their way to a point against Nottingham Forest. The match ended in a draw, with Ipswich picking up one point.

Position above established clubs

Thanks to the draw, Ipswich now occupy ninth place in the Premier League, above teams such as Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. The first three can still be overtaken this weekend, but the current standing shows a solid position.

This season Ipswich are already performing better than in 2024/25, when the team was immediately relegated. The difference is clear in the number of points they managed to earn after falling behind.

Points after comeback and manager reactions

After falling behind Ipswich have already taken seven points this season, whereas in 2024/25 only four points were collected. No other club in the Premier League has taken more points after a comeback this season, with Zian Flemming coming on as a substitute on Friday.

Manager Gary O'Neil was pleased with the point. He said: “It was about holding on and fighting. That was necessary. Forest dictated the game with their direct balls. We tried to anticipate that, but it was difficult. It was a great second half in which we took a point and also kept a clean sheet after the break.”

O'Neil shied away from predictions about the end of the season. “There is no specific goal. Of course we want a second year in the Premier League, but we simply try to finish as high as possible,” he said.

He also praised the investments and the coaching: “Given the amount they have spent and the fact that they are well coached, they should actually be very strong. For promoted sides it is often difficult, but we were able to keep up nicely.”