Jadon Sancho stunner salvages Chelsea draw amid defensive woes

Defensive lapses cost the Blues dearly, with manager Enzo Maresca pointing to avoidable errors as the root of their failure to claim all three points.

Ipswich, fighting to avoid relegation, stunned the home crowd with two first-half goals. Julio Enciso opened the scoring after capitalising on a misplaced Chelsea pass, while Ben Johnson doubled the lead following a long ball that exposed the Blues' backline.

Maresca, speaking to the Chelsea website, admitted the team's defensive shortcomings shifted the game's momentum. "We started well, creating chances, but after their first goal, everything changed," he said.

"Both goals came from our mistakes. The first was from a long ball we didn't handle, and the second was similar. We must defend better."

The Blues regrouped at half-time, with Maresca urging his players to show resilience. Their response came through an own goal forced by Axel Tuanzebe and a spectacular late equaliser from Jadon Sancho, whose curling strike ignited Stamford Bridge.

Despite the comeback, the draw left Chelsea in sixth place, one point behind Manchester City in fifth, with six games left to secure a Champions League spot.

Facing boos from frustrated fans at half-time, Maresca remained pragmatic. "We're stronger with our supporters behind us, but it's their right to react when we're trailing," he said. "We need to give them more to cheer about."

Recent updates from Chelsea's official X account highlight Maresca's focus on improvement, with the manager praising Sancho's impact. "Jadon's quality is clear, and we're working to ensure the team clicks consistently," he noted in a post-match clip shared on Monday.

The Blues now turn their attention to their next fixture, aiming to tighten their defence and reignite their top-four push.

The result keeps Chelsea's season at a crossroads, with their attacking flair undone by defensive frailties.

For Ipswich, the point earned on the road bolsters their survival bid, but for the Blues, Maresca's men know sharper focus at the back is non-negotiable.