Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna hails ‘excellent’ performance as Conor Chaplin goal seals win against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough

In Ipswich Town’s relegation from the Championship in 2018/19, they won just five games all season. Now, having played only six matches of this campaign, The Tractor Boys have already matched that tally.

Conor Chaplin’s strike just before half-time secured a 1-0 win at Sheffield Wednesday, as the Blues continued their fine start to their return to the second-division.

Kieran McKenna was delighted with what he saw from his side in South Yorkshire and, speaking post-match, said: “I loved the game, the performance and, of course, the result.

It was a big game for us. I thought it was an excellent performance in the first-half. I thought we imposed ourselves and dominated the game, carved through their pressure a few times, created some big opportunities, pressed well and didn’t give them anything.

I thought it was an excellent performance.”

The goal that sealed the three points embodied exactly what McKenna’s brand of football is about.

After patient build up across the defence, a quick and decisive ball found an on-rushing Leif Davis, who’s cut back was perfectly weighted for Chaplin to stroke a left-footed finish under a few Wednesday bodies and into the back of the net.

“I thought we had a couple of absolutely picture perfect moves and what we like to do is go through the pitch quickly, get through and behind teams and arrive in goalscoring positions,” McKenna said.

“It was just great that we got the goal just before half-time because I think to go in at 0-0 would have been really disappointing with some of the opportunities and positions that we got in. I think there was lots to enjoy about the performance on and off the ball.”

The Owls, who sit second-bottom of the early Championship table on just one point, didn’t cause Town many problems and failed to force shot stopper Václav Hladký into making a save.