Ipswich vs Fulham: Iwobi sub proves costly as Cottagers snatch defeat from the jaws of victory

Fulham were mere minutes away from a first Premier League win of the season before Alvaro Arbeloa's decision to take off Super Eagles star Alex Iwobi backfired.

Iwobi played until the 87th minute with Fulham holding a 1-0 lead; however, two goals in the 88th and 92nd minutes helped Ipswich turn the tie around.

Both teams struggled to find their rhythm early on, with chances limited in a contest dominated by midfield battles. Julio Enciso came closest for Ipswich in the opening stages, curling an effort narrowly wide, while Fulham gradually grew into the game.

Christian Walton denied a powerful Sander Berge strike after the half-hour mark before Gonzalo Garcia missed another opportunity. Fulham maintained their momentum after the restart, but Issa Diop blocked Garcia’s promising effort to keep Ipswich in the contest.

The visitors eventually broke the deadlock when Ryan Sessegnon collected a cleared corner and fired a superb strike into the bottom corner. Ipswich nearly responded immediately, with Emersonn hitting the post, while Oscar Bobb squandered a chance to extend Fulham’s advantage.

The hosts’ persistence finally paid off in the 88th minute when Abdoul Ouattara scored his first goal in English football, brilliantly finding the bottom corner from long range beyond Bernd Leno.

Ipswich completed their comeback shortly afterwards as Dara O’Shea headed Jack Clarke’s delivery into the net, leaving Fulham empty-handed despite leading for much of the second half. The defeat ended the visitors’ hopes of securing their first league victory of the season.