Ipswich seals late win over wasteful 10-man Palace
Zian Flemming came off the bench to score his first goal for Ipswich Town, salvaging a last-gasp 3-2 win over 10-man Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
Ipswich had come from behind in the first half after Anan Khalaili's early goal, with Emersonn and Leif Davies both heading past Benitez on either side of Axel Disasi's straight red card.
Palace looked set to snatch a point after Jorgen Strand Larsen's 75th-minute equaliser, but Flemming was alert in the box 15 minutes later to pounce and snatch all three points for the Tractor Boys at Selhurst Park.
A cagey start opened up in the 14th minute as Palace exploited the space in Ipswich's midfield. Daichi Kamada helped it out to Khalaili, who had time to take a touch before drilling his effort into the bottom-left corner.
Strand Larsen attempted to get a second for Palace, only to be denied by Kjell Scherpen, before Ipswich got back on level terms against the run of play in the 23rd minute, with Emersonn planting Davis's cross past Walter Benitez after Palace failed to track him.
A 34th-minute red card then gave the hosts more problems as Disasi was dismissed for catching Jack Clarke with his studs just below the midfielder's knee.
Ipswich made its numerical advantage count on the stroke of half-time, with Emersonn inadvertently helping Dara O'Shea's cross on, and Davis was on hand to head it in.
The visitors had early chances in the second half but failed to take them, boosting Palace's confidence. Kamada unpicked their defence again to slide in Strand Larsen, who held off Issa Diop to hit the back of the net.
Khalaili and Ben Chilwell both blazed brilliant openings over the crossbar, and those misses ultimately cost Palace as Flemming turned on a dime to fire in the rebound after Davis's looping header rebounded off the crossbar.
Palace boss Pierre Sage was left frustrated by his side's wasteful finishing.
"We had the opportunity to make it 3-2, and we missed. I am frustrated for the players because they gave a lot and deserved at least a point," he said, acknowledging playing with 10 men had been challenging.
