Ipswich Town Doubles Last Season's Points Pace Despite Everton Defeat
The short version
- Ipswich have six points from five Premier League games, double their total at this stage of their previous top-flight season
- Four of their five opponents are playing in European competition this season
- Abdul Fatawu will miss the next match through suspension
- Christian Walton and player of the match Abdoul Ouattara impressed in the defeat at Everton
- Summer signing Emersonn has two goals and has made the striker role his own
The Tractor Boys sit on six points from five Premier League matches, twice their tally at the same stage of their previous top-flight campaign.
Ipswich Town head into the international break with six points from their opening five Premier League fixtures, double their total at the same point of their previous season in the division. The run has come against a demanding schedule, with four of those opponents competing in Europe this term.
The most recent outing ended in defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium, where Everton beat Gary O'Neil's side. The loss was compounded by a suspension that will keep Abdul Fatawu out of the next match.
There were individual bright spots on Merseyside. Christian Walton, handed the goalkeeping job after Kjell Scherpen started the first four matches, produced an assured display, while 20-year-old Abdoul Ouattara was named player of the match on his first Premier League start at right-back, selected ahead of Darnell Furlong.
Summer recruits have strengthened the squad, according to BBC Radio Suffolk's Graeme Mac. Issa Diop has settled in at centre-back, Exequiel Palacios and Sasa Lukic have upgraded the midfield, and Brazilian striker Emersonn, a former Toulouse player, has scored twice and made the number nine role his own, leaving Zian Flemming still awaiting a first league start.
O'Neil's side return to domestic action after the international break with what the manager's supporters view as a solid platform built in the early weeks of the season.
