Yorkshire | Sheffield United thrashed at Portman Road

Ipswich Town 5 - 0 Sheffield United

Sheffield United suffered a heavy defeat at Portman Road on Friday night, with Jaden Philogene bagging a hat-trick for the Tractor Boys.

Author | Marcus L

Stadium | Portman Road

A closer look at what happened

Sheffield United’s manager made three changes for the visit to Suffolk, handing full debuts to McGuinness and Matos, while Cannon returned to the starting line-up. Hamer and Campbell were named among the substitutes and Bindon was left out of the squad. Peck captained the side at senior level for the first time.

Jaden Philogene struck first on 21 minutes, seizing on a slip from debutant Alex Matos, before adding two more stylish finishes in the second half as the visitors unravelled defensively. George Hirst slid in a fourth through Michael Cooper’s legs, and substitute Jack Clarke repeated the trick late on to cast further doubt over the Blades head coach’s future.

The first surprise came before kick-off, with captain Gus Hamer dropped to the bench, and matters quickly worsened from there. Philogene had already tested Cooper with a second-minute effort, while Japhet Tanganga twice went close with headers from Harrison Burrows corners. At the other end, Chuba Akpom narrowly failed to convert a Leif Davis cross before Ipswich capitalised on Matos’s misjudgement to open the scoring.

Six minutes into the second half, the Blades again failed to close Philogene down as he cut inside and found the same finish. Chants of “sacked in the morning” rang out from the away end, and soon after more lax defending allowed Hirst to turn in a low finish from a tight angle.

The away end watches on

Cannon briefly threatened a response, drawing a save from Alex Palmer after the hour, but Ipswich immediately reasserted control. Philogene completed his hat-trick with a thunderous drive into the roof of the net before Clarke added the gloss, nutmegging Cooper to secure Ipswich’s first home league win since their victory over Chelsea last December.

Interesting stat

For only the second time in their history, Sheffield United have begun a season with five straight league defeats, and Selles cut an isolated figure on the touchline as his side were undone by Ipswich’s speed and precision.

Best reaction

Tom Parker, a Sheffield United fan, told us: “Ruben Selles’s position appears increasingly untenable, with criticism mounting over his tactical approach. Calls are growing for a change in direction, with Sean Dyche being suggested as a potential replacement.”

Iain added: “Selles’s time in charge looks to be at an end. I felt that he was out of his depth from the outset and that his tenure has now become an embarrassment for the club.”