Ipswich: Kings of stoppage time, but can they keep doing it?

Ipswich’s late winners are already shaping their Premier League return. Three victories, all secured in the 90th minute or later, have delivered nine points from their opening six matches.

Jack Clarke settled the opening-day meeting with Sunderland. Zian Flemming struck at Crystal Palace. On Saturday, Dara O’Shea completed the most dramatic turnaround yet, heading Ipswich to a 2–1 victory over Fulham after they had trailed until the 88th minute.

The endings have been memorable. The question for Gary O’Neil is which elements can become dependable strengths over a full season.

There is evidence of useful substitutions, rehearsed routines and players capable of making good decisions under pressure. There are also reasons why Ipswich should want more comfortable afternoons.

Ipswich’s late winners have changed their points total

The significance is straightforward: each decisive goal turned a draw into a victory.

Opponent	Result	Winning scorer	Minute
Sunderland	Won 2–1	Jack Clarke	90
Crystal Palace	Won 3–2	Zian Flemming	90
Fulham	Won 2–1	Dara O’Shea	90+1

Those three interventions added six points compared with the positions immediately before the winners.

That arithmetic does not mean Ipswich somehow deserve fewer points. Playing until the final whistle is part of winning matches. It does show how much their early return has depended on converting narrow opportunities at the end.

Against Fulham, the swing was even greater. Abdoul Ouattara’s equaliser and O’Shea’s winner took Ipswich from a losing position to three points within a few minutes.

The challenge is to retain that attacking purpose while improving their position earlier in games.

Substitutes have made a tangible difference

Clarke’s contribution is particularly encouraging.

He came off the bench to score against his former club Sunderland on the opening weekend. His 90th-minute finish gave Ipswich a