Ipswich draw late penalty

Ipswich Town earned a dramatic late point away to Birmingham City after a stoppage-time handball led to a penalty.

Late penalty secures Ipswich draw at Birmingham

Birmingham City controlled the ball and pressed for a lead, but Ipswich Town steadied themselves and created limited openings. Jay Stansfield struck for Birmingham after the restart from a rebound, and Kyogo saw a lob beat the keeper but was ruled out for a foul on Jacob Greaves. Town had few clear chances in the first half as the game stayed tight.

The tension rose in the second period as Birmingham kept the ball well and looked for a killer moment. Town finally found a lifeline in stoppage time when Lyndon Dykes handled in the box, and George Hirst converted the penalty to earn a 1-1 draw. The finale sparked a hostile reaction from some home supporters as Hirst cupped his ears and celebrations collided with disorder.

This result highlights how closely matched the Championship can be, with margins deciding the outcome. Ipswich showed resilience, integrating new signings like Azor Matusiwa and Jack Taylor as the game wore on, while Birmingham controlled possession but could not seal the win. The late penalty underscored how every set piece can swing a match, and the crowd response foreshadows the potential for heightened tension in high-stakes fixtures this season.

Highlights

Expect more hard-fought battles between these two sides as the campaign progresses