Crystal Palace 2-3 Ipswich: Late Flemming strike sinks ten-man Palace at Selhurst Park

Crystal Palace and Ipswich produced a breathless five-goal thriller at Selhurst Park, with the visitors coming from behind twice before snatching victory through a stoppage-time strike from Zian Flemming. A first-half red card for Axel Disasi left the hosts to play the vast majority of the game with ten men, and although Crystal Palace battled back to level terms in the second half, Ipswich had the final word in a match that swung one way and then the other right until the closing seconds. Full details of the fixture can be found on the match centre.

Early exchanges and a game-changing moment

Palace made the perfect start when Anan Khalaili struck in the 14th minute to send Selhurst Park into raptures, continuing his fine individual campaign with a goal that now forms part of his tally in this season's tournament. Ipswich responded quickly, however, with Emersonn levelling matters in the 23rd minute in what would prove to be the first act of a superb personal performance from the Brazilian.

The contest turned on its head in the 34th minute when Axel Disasi was shown a straight red card, reducing Crystal Palace to ten men for the remainder of the afternoon. Manager's hand was forced almost immediately, with Yeremy Pino introduced just three minutes later as Palace reshuffled to cope with the numerical disadvantage. Ipswich sensed the opportunity, and Jack Clarke was booked in the 43rd minute as the visitors pressed for a second. It duly arrived right on the stroke of half-time, Leif Davis converting in the 45th minute to hand Ipswich a 2-1 lead they took into the break — a cruel scoreline for the hosts given the numerical situation they now faced.

Ipswich control the second half

With a man advantage and a lead to protect, Ipswich looked the more composed side after the restart. Abdul Fatawu Issahaku picked up a yellow card in the 58th minute before being withdrawn shortly afterwards, with Ipswich making a triple change in the space of a minute as Issahaku, Clarke and Emersonn all made way. Saša Lukić was cautioned in the 70th minute as the visitors continued to manage the game, protecting their advantage against a Palace side toiling for a foothold with ten men on the pitch.

Strand Larsen drags Palace level

Just as the contest looked to be drifting away from the hosts, substitute Jörgen Strand Larsen produced a crucial intervention, firing home in the 75th minute to pull Crystal Palace level at 2-2. It was a significant moment given the circumstances, and Palace boss reacted by sending on Adam Wharton and Tyrick Mitchell moments later in search of a winner, followed by further changes as Daichi Kamada came on for Strand Larsen in the 84th minute. Kamada's introduction proved shrewd business on the night, with his passing contributing two assists in a lively cameo.

Flemming's late sting

Ipswich were not to be denied, though. Having introduced Jacob Greaves in the 88th minute to shore things up, the visitors instead struck a decisive blow deep into stoppage time as Zian Flemming netted in the 90th minute to restore Ipswich's lead at 3-2 and, ultimately, settle the contest. Chris Richards was shown a late yellow card as Palace's frustration boiled over in the closing exchanges, but there was no way back for the hosts.

Standout performers and the bigger picture

Emersonn's all-action display — a goal, an assist and a rating of 8.63 — made him the outstanding performer on the pitch, while Flemming's decisive strike (7.9) and Leif Davis's goal-and-assist showing (7.44) underlined Ipswich's threat throughout. For Palace, Strand Larsen's leveller earned him a rating of 7.87 in a losing cause, with Khalaili's opener also adding to his tally for the campaign. Statistically the game was tight — Ipswich edged possession at 54% and had the better of the shooting count, six shots on target to Palace's four, while Palace held the corner count 6-3. Goalkeepers R. Matthews for Palace and C. Walton for Ipswich were both called upon, with three and two saves respectively.

The result leaves Crystal Palace to regroup after a chastening afternoon, while Ipswich will take huge encouragement from a gutsy away win secured despite facing a resolute rearguard for over an hour. For more coverage of this round and the wider title picture, visit the Premier League hub, check the latest fixtures, or head to the news section for further reaction from Selhurst Park.