Jack Clarke scored in the 90th minute to give Ipswich a 2-1 opening-day win over Sunderland. He signed from Sunderland in 2024 for £15 million, and the finish turned a frantic start to the season into a first league victory for Gary O'Neil's side.
Clarke decides the opener
Clarke had only one goal in five appearances across all competitions before this, but the timing of this one mattered far more than the total. His late strike came against the club he left last year, which gave the finish a pointed edge on top of the points.
The game had already swung twice before he settled it. Emersonn opened the scoring after 24 minutes after Julio Enciso's play, then Nilson Angulo levelled with a 39th-minute free kick. Omar Alderete's wayward pass on the stroke of full time handed Ipswich the opening they needed.
Ipswich's first night under Gary O'Neil
It was Gary O'Neil's first competitive match in the dugout since replacing Kieran McKenna in June, and Ipswich named six full debutants plus seven new signings in their starting XI. That kind of turnover can take time to settle, but the early signs were mixed rather than chaotic, and the result will help the mood around Portman Road.
Clarke's own early-season numbers also fit the moment. His 6.99 season rating points to steady form rather than a one-off cameo, while the decisive goal was his first major contribution in an Ipswich shirt. Sunderland, meanwhile, had conceded 48 goals in 38 Premier League matches last season, and the late giveaway from Alderete felt uncomfortably familiar.
Ipswich start the campaign with three points and a win over one of the clubs that shaped Clarke's recent career. The season is only one match old, but their next league outing will already carry a different kind of pressure.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →
