🐺 Wolves Bite Late to Break Ipswich Hearts

Wolverhampton Wanderers came from behind to snatch all three points at Portman Road with a 2-1 win that looked increasingly likely as the match wore on. While Ipswich drew first blood, Wolves slowly asserted control through relentless pressure and chance creation, eventually turning the tide in the final 20 minutes.

📊 Stat Breakdown: Wolves Dominate the Numbers

Shots: Wolves 18 – 4 Ipswich

xG: Wolves 2.18 – 0.22 Ipswich

Shots on Target: Wolves 6 – 2 Ipswich

Touches in the Box: Wolves 29 – 7 Ipswich

Progressive Runs: Wolves 17 – 7 Ipswich

Possession: Wolves 55% – 45% Ipswich

The stat sheet reads like a one-sided affair. Wolves peppered the Ipswich box with attacks and created quality chances, while Ipswich were limited to just four total shots, with an xG that barely registered at 0.22.

📈 Match Momentum: Pressure Pays Late

Ipswich opened the scoring early via Liam Delap in the 16th minute with an xG of just 0.18, and for a long stretch, it looked like a backs-to-the-wall victory could be on the cards.

But Wolves didn’t panic—they built their attacks, patiently moved the ball around, and eventually got their reward.

Pablo Sarabia equalized in the 72nd minute (xG: 0.11)

Jørgen Strand Larsen scored the winner in the 83rd (xG: 0.50)

Wolves’ xG climb in the second half was steady and relentless. Ipswich’s flatline after the opener says it all.

🎯 Shot Analysis: Wolves Flood the Box

Wolves’ shot map tells the story of control. They fired 18 shots, with 13 coming from inside the box and 6 on target. Two goals came from high-percentage areas, including Strand Larsen’s poacher’s finish.

Ipswich, meanwhile, only managed one decent chance after the opener. A couple of speculative efforts from distance were easily dealt with.

Despite limited possession, Ipswich’s low shot volume meant they were always at risk of being overturned.

🧠 Possession Tactics: Structure v. Initiative

Wolves’ pass map showed confidence and structure. The center-backs and midfield trio of João Gomes, Munetsi, and Bellegarde saw plenty of the ball, helping Wolves circulate possession and push high. Full-backs Aït-Nouri and Semedo were involved, while Strand Larsen operated as a classic target man, linking up with second runners.

Ipswich’s pass network, by contrast, was more cautious and defensive. Their build-up was tight, relying heavily on deep midfielders Morsy and Cajuste. Forwards like Delap and Enciso were isolated for long spells, unable to link meaningfully with the midfield.

🔍 Final Word

Wolves didn’t just edge this match—they earned it. With nearly 10 times the expected goals output, they turned up the pressure in waves and finally cracked Ipswich’s resistance. Ipswich defended bravely, but this wasn’t a case of being unlucky—it was a lesson in sustained dominance eventually paying off.

For Wolves, it’s a performance that blends patience with power. For Ipswich, it’s a reminder that defending deep can only get you so far.