Lots of positives to be taken out of Town’s 3-2 defeat to Manchester City

Despite Ipswich Town’s 3-2 loss at the Etihad Stadium to a fantastic Manchester City team yesterday (Saturday, October 17) there were lots of positives to be drawn from the match.

Against a top team in wonderful form and with the lion’s share of possession and the huge amount of goal bound chances for the table toppers the Super Blues hung in and could have snatched a point.

Manager Gary O’Neil was certainly disappointed not to come away with something from the game and he was proud of his team’s performance against a team who not only have won all their opening seven Premier League games but are also faced with disciplinary proceeding after being found guilty of breaking the division’s financial rules.

The fans in the stand gave a resounding boo to the league’s anthem prior to kick off and waved a host of blow up bananas in defiance at the charges.

There was also a chant about playing Stockport away and the gallows humour continued when City fans sang “You’re going down with the City” to goad Town’s travelling support.

But the home crowd had an anxious 12 minutes of added on time as the team negotiated through the period with Ipswich’s never-say-die attitude shining through.

Yes, Town could, and probably should, have been further behind with City squandering a series of chances after they opened the scoring through Phil Foden in the 19th minute.

But Daizen Maeda outmuscled Marc Guehi to equalise just moments later before Erling Haaland recorded his brace to put Manchester 3-1 ahead.

A 90th minute penalty by substitute Zian Fleming gave Ipswich hope and the additional time boosted their chances of coming away with a draw and there was also a rejuvenation of hope with the fans knowing the form that Town has for scoring goals late on in games.

But it was not to be.

Although they left empty-handed, this determined, collective effort ensured their momentum was not significantly damaged following a win against Fulham and before key meetings with Nottingham Forest and Hull City.

Town refused to wilt under sustained periods of pressure and a gritty second-half display ensured they remained in the match.

Speaking to Town TV after the final whistle O’Neil said: “I am proud of the players, they gave everything.

“I love representing this team. Such a team to be proud of, so to stand at the front with the triple tiered support in the stands and the lads giving everything on the pitch to be able to stand and lead that is a fantastic experience every weekend. I enjoyed it.

“I think there were bits where we could have done better to be honest. We did well and pleased with the players but if we had done a few bits better we could have taken something today.

“Disappointed as well that we didn’t tip enough of the little bits in our favour.

“Their second goal annoyed me. I can accept the first and third because there’s was some big spaces and it happens but the second one we were in control of the situation and we shouldn’t concede but an incredible effort from the lads, had a right go but for a little slip here and there or a little bit of quality at the end in the last 12 minutes we could have nicked something.”

But he was critical at some of the decisions by the officials saying: “Three offsides from the linesman that weren’t offside which is mad.

“In a normal game it’s bad enough but when you’re at the Etihad you’re only going to get about seven or eight attacks, to lose three of them to offsides that were not offsides was really frustrating, so nothing against the officials they’re doing their best and they made some really good calls but those offsides just kill momentum.

“Hopefully the players take a lot from the game.

“We gave ourselves a chance which is all you can ask, didn’t quite take it and now we get a week’s prep for the game against Nottingham Forest.”