The Media Review: Ipswich beaten as winless run ends

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

Nick Szczepanik

2025-01-17T12:00+00:00

Jan Paul van Hecke celebrates the win at Portman Road in front of the travelling Albion supporters. 📷 by James Boardman.

The consensus from the writers in the Portman Road press box on Thursday evening was that Albion had shown their Premier League pedigree in the 2-0 victory away to Ipswich Town, repelling a series of attacks from the home side, finishing clinically when the chances came and then seeing out the win with some comfort.

Nick Ames of The Guardian described “an object lesson in how to kill a game. Brighton had struggled to make much headway against Ipswich for almost an hour when Kaoru Mitoma’s shot squeezed in and, from there, they simply did not let go.

“Rather than sit back, they pressed forward relentlessly; the consequence was a first league victory in nine and perhaps a platform to transform the picture of an often frustrating campaign.

“When Georginio Rutter cleverly turned in their second goal eight minutes from time, Brighton could enjoy winning a top-flight match by two or more for the first time since the opening day.

“Rutter was one of three substitutes introduced by Fabian Hürzeler almost as soon as they went ahead; their power and energy from the bench meant Ipswich simply could not get out after that, a hitherto respectable performance dissolving into the night and the buoyancy of a promising Christmas period turning to lead. Having spent a blissful 24 hours outside the relegation zone, Ipswich return to the bottom three with harsh realities ringing in their ears.

“Rutter and his fellow replacement Yankuba Minteh ran riot in that final quarter; an Ipswich squad light on fit attacking options and unable to register new signing Jaden Philogene in time had no answers.

“There was less to worry Hürzeler. He is seeing his own injury list shorten and felt that, helped too by a resounding FA Cup win up the road at Norwich five days previously, a corner may have been turned. For Brighton, possibilities are opening up again.”

In The Sun, regular Albion-watcher Jack Rosser wrote that “Kaoru Mitoma delivered relief for Brighton in another harsh lesson for Ipswich. The Japan international’s first goal since November inspired a first win in nine Premier League games for the Seagulls.

“Georginio Rutter made sure of the much needed win from the bench, lifting the mood and sending them back into the top half. And, at the fourth attempt, it was the first win they had managed over a promoted club this season.

“Jacob Greaves missed a challenge down the left which allowed Yasin Ayari to roam free and cut back for Matt O’Riley. Instead of pulling the trigger, the summer signing kept his cool and squared for Mitoma, whose shot somehow squeezed under the body of Walton – an effort he should have stopped.

“It was evidence of the quality gap when it really matters. Ipswich had created all the significant chances, Brighton had not had a real sniff, certainly nothing you could call clear cut. Yet they made it count, and Ipswich had not.

“There is greater depth in Hurzeler’s squad too. After Pedro drew a fine stop from Walton on the turn, he was replaced by Rutter – who made sure of the result. From a wide free-kick, Danny Welbeck – another sub – fumbled the ball towards the Frenchman who turned and finished from close range.”

Photo 1/25

Kaoru Mitoma gave Albion the lead before Georginio Rutter came off the bench to secure three points against Ipswich Town on Thursday night in Suffolk. Club photographer James Boardman was on the sidelines to capture all the action.

Albion’s defence generally restricted the Tractor Boys to long-range efforts, and Press Association man Andy Sims enumerated Bart Verbruggen’s saves in The Daily Telegraph.

“The hosts started well despite Brighton enjoying plenty of possession and Nathan Broadhead created the first decent chance of the game for Ipswich with a shot from outside the box but Bart Verbruggen got down to steer the ball behind for a corner.

“Five minutes later, striker Liam Delap had a go from a similar position but again the Brighton goalkeeper was equal to the task and the Dutchman had to be on his toes again when midfielder Omari Hutchinson let fly just before the break.

“Ipswich fullback Wes Burns flashed a shot just wide after a well-worked long throw in the 57th minute but the home side’s failure to take their chances finally cost them dear two minutes later when Mitoma struck.”

Big saves from Bart to keep a clean sheet! ⛔️🧤 Highlights in partnership with @MPBCom. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/zjbGPheSyQ
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) January 17, 2025

Aadam Patel of The Daily Mail pulled out the stat that “fifty-four days since they last tasted victory in the Premier League, Brighton returned to winning ways at Ipswich thanks to second-half goals from Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter.

“Victory for Fabian Hurzeler’s side, their first in the league since November, took them to ninth while defeat for Ipswich saw them slip back into the bottom three on goal difference.

“It was their longest winless run since 2021 under Graham Potter but in fairness to the Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler, six of those eight games were draws.”

Patel was one of the few writers who was forgiving of a former Albion goalkeeper, noticing that Mitoma’s shot “took the slightest of deflections off Leif Davis and squeezed past Walton.

Georginio Rutter has been involved in five goals this season - three goals and two assists. 📷 by James Boardman.

“Hurzeler looked to his bench first, making a triple change before Pedro forced a brilliant save by Walton and though McKenna introduced both Morsy and Jack Taylor with 20 minutes to go in a bid to restore some control, they never came close to equalising.

“With eight minutes to go, substitute Rutter swivelled brilliantly inside the box and finished past Walton for his third goal in his last two games to secure a much-needed three points for the Seagulls.

“And Ipswich’s misery was summed up late on when ex-Brighton keeper Walton accidentally passed the ball out for a corner and was met with chants of ‘He’s one of our own’ from the travelling Brighton support. That was the cue for the home crowd to head for the exits.

“For Brighton, who head to Old Trafford on Sunday, the hope will now be to kick on and push for a return to European football in Hurzeler’s first campaign in charge.”