Ipswich Town 3-2 Swansea City: Kieran McKenna's verdict

The Blues responded superbly after going behind to Jay Fulton’s early header, going 3-1 up thanks to goals from Jack Taylor, Conor Chaplin and George Hirst (pen) and spurning a series of other golden chances along the way.  

When Swansea were reduced to 10 men in the 69th minute, Josh Cullen dismissed for a second yellow card, it looked like the floodgates could open. Instead, the visitors finished the stronger and provided a late scare when Jamal Lowe pulled a goal back in stoppage-time. 

“Let’s get it right, it shouldn’t have been 3-2,” said McKenna, whose side move level on points with Championship leaders Leicester heading into the third international break of the season. 

“It should have been out of sight and then I didn’t like how we played the last 15 minutes against the 10 men. I didn’t like the concentration levels, I didn’t like our humility. We didn’t maintain our standards for the last 15 minutes of that game.” 

Asked if his usually calm demeanour had slipped in the dressing room afterwards, the Blues boss replied: “It wouldn’t be the first time they’ve seen that side of me. The main thing is the players were frustrated with it as much as myself and the staff were.  

“We know there’s no way, in the 98th minute, the ball should come in our box and it should become a one-goal margin with the way that game played out. 

“We’ll learn from it. It’s great to have these lessons and still win the game.” 

He continued: “Of course there’s also lots of good things about the game – the way we played and the way we overcame adversity. We played some really good football and could have had any number of goals really. 

“Over the two years I’ve been here we’ve started games really well. Traditionally at home we come out of the blocks fast. That didn’t quite happen today. Swansea started the game better, looked a little bit sharper and score with their first chance from a set play. 

“The response was excellent. It’s a big day for Jack (Taylor) and he deserves all the plaudits he’ll get for the goal and his all-round performance. 

“After that the chances we created, the penetration we had... the only frustration is we didn’t score more. I won’t put a number on it, but there were a lot more goals out there for us today. 

“I think we’re the top goalscorers in the league, but we still feel we can be more clinical. We were good value for lots of goals today. The main thing is we’re creating plenty of chances in general.” 

Town were finally awarded their first penalty of the season in the second half, Hirst converting after Taylor had been grappled in the box. That came moments after Harry Clarke had a headed finish at a corner controversially disallowed. 

“They had to take a goal off us on the set-piece to give us the penalty, but we got one in the end!” laughed McKenna. 

“I didn’t think there was anything wrong with Clarkey’s goal and that was frustrating because we work so hard on our set play routines. That was a terrifically worked routine and it gets disallowed for a block that was pretty anonymous. 

“But of course we got the penalty a couple of minutes later and that gave us a comfort in the game.” 

Ipswich are now not in action again until a trip to West Brom on Saturday, November 25.  

Asked if now was a good time for a break, McKenna replied: “I think I’ll need it after that last five minutes! Look, we’ve had six games in 18 days. Throw a return journey to Rotherham on top of that and it’s been a busy spell. 

“The players are pushing really hard mentally and physically, so I think the break comes at a good time. We’ve got some niggles and a bit of illness in the group. It’s a chance to settle those things down.” 

Brandon Williams missed last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Birmingham through illness, was an unused sub at Rotherham in midweek, but was absent from the squad again today. 

“He’s still ill,” explained McKenna, when asked about the Manchester United loanee. “He’s not been with us for the last few days. Hopefully we’ll have him on Monday.”