Ipswich grab shock victory in first leg

Arsenal were at the hands of a shock loss to Ipswich 1-0 in the Carling Cup semi final first leg. A loan goal from Tamas Priskin sealed the victory for the Tractor boys on Wednesday night as Arsenal were miles from their best. Ipswich having lost to Chelsea 7-0 in the FA Cup at the weekend they were dreading a visit from another of the Premiership's big boys. Arsene Wengar obviously wants to win this trophy for the fans and fielded a strong side with Fabregas, Walcott and Wilshere all starting. Eboue once again started in place of the suspended Sagna. Reserves Shea and Miquel were on the bench.

Arsenal could have had some good chances to score in the first minutes of the game but sloppy passes meant the Gunners could not even get a shot in.

Ipswich then had their first good opportunity of the game as Priskin cut in from the left and worked a shot but it was just driven wide.

Arsenal's first chance of the game dropped to Walcott who from just outside the area hit a shot but it was tame and straight into the hands of the goalkeeper.

5 minutes before the break Ipswich were awarded a free kick. Kennedy found Delaney who tried to head the ball back across goal but Koscielny cleared it away and the danger was over.

Ipswich were playing really well and they thought they had a goal just before half time. The ball being played through to Priskin who bicycle kicked the ball into the back of the net but it was disallowed as the Hungarian was standing in an offside position.

They then had another chance as Wickham got past two players but he smashed his shot high and wide.

The score at half time was 0-0.

The first chance of the second half fell to Arshavin. Fabregas from deep finding Arshavin who took one touch and then wildely smashed his shot high and wide of the target.

Fabregas then gave the ball straight to Kennedy who saw Szczesny off his line and went for the shot from long range but Szczesny back peddled and stopped the shot.

Priskin then once again had another good oportunity to put Ipswich ahead. The ball being punted down field towards him but Djourou got back to the striker to make the tackle just as he was about to pull the trigger.

Arsenal were playing better than in the first half and Gibbs managed to get a shot off but once again it went wide.

The Gunners were pressuring to go 1 up and a nice exchange of passes between Fabregas and Walcott led to a shot from the English Winger but Fulop kept it out.

Fabregas then had a brilliant opportunity as Gibbs delivered the ball from the left into the skipper but from 5 yards he hit it over with his thigh.

It was end to end football but with 12 minutes to play the deadlock was broken and it was Ipswich the suprise goal scorers. Norris with the through ball into Priskin who raced towards goal and then tucked his shot past Szczesny and into the back of the net.

Ipswich then almost made it 2-0. Fulop the goalkeeper smashing the ball downfield to Edwards who managed to get a shot out as he raced to the byline but Szczesny was there to keep him out.

The final score ended Ipswich 1-0 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Ipswich: Fulop, Peters, McAuley, Delaney, O'Dea, Edwards, Norris, Healy, Kennedy, Wickham, Priskin(89).
Subs: Lee-Barrett, Smith, Eastman, Civelli, Lambe, Hourihane, Murray(89).

Arsenal: Szczesny, Eboue, Koscielny, Djourou, Gibbs, Walcott, Fabregas, Denilson, Arshavin(79), Wilshere(67), Bendtner(68).
Subs: Shea, Miquel, Eastmond, Ramsey, Song(67), Chamakh(68), Vela(79).

My man of the match: Wojciech Szczesny

Referee: Martin Atkinson
Attendance: 29,146