Ipswich Town Edge Past Blackpool 2-1 in FA Cup Third Round Thriller

11 January 2026 Football

Introduction: FA Cup Magic at Portman Road

The historic FA Cup delivered another captivating encounter as Ipswich Town booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 2-1 home win against League One side Blackpool on 10 January 2026. This fixture highlighted the magic of English football’s oldest cup competition, pitting a Championship promotion contender against a determined League One opponent in a classic David versus Goliath scenario. For Ipswich, progression in the FA Cup represents another step in their ambitious season, while Blackpool showed they could compete despite the 39-place gap in the football pyramid.

Match Details and Key Moments

The Blues looked slick and cohesive in the first half, taking the lead through Jaden Philogene’s curling strike, continuing his excellent form as Town’s leading scorer. The home side dominated possession throughout the match, but found it challenging to extend their advantage. They searched for a second, but found it difficult to create clear-cut chances until the end of the match, when Jacob Greaves headed home from a corner to wrap up the result at Portman Road. Blackpool showed commendable spirit, particularly in the second half, and Ashley Fletcher’s late penalty was purely a consolation after the match had been effectively decided.

Team Changes and Tactical Approach

Kieran McKenna made seven changes to the team that beat Oxford United on New Year’s Day, with last week’s trip to Portsmouth postponed due to a frozen pitch. This rotation demonstrated Ipswich’s squad depth and McKenna’s tactical flexibility, allowing key players to rest while maintaining competitive quality. The match statistics reflected Ipswich’s dominance, with the home side controlling 71.9% possession and registering 30 shot attempts compared to Blackpool’s seven.

Conclusion: Cup Progress Maintains Season Momentum

Jaden Philogene’s trademark first-half finish helped see Ipswich Town edge through to the fourth round of the FA Cup for a fourth successive season, demonstrating the club’s consistency in cup competitions. For Ipswich supporters, this victory keeps alive hopes of a meaningful FA Cup run whilst maintaining focus on their primary objective of Premier League promotion. Blackpool, despite the defeat, can take pride in their performance against higher-ranked opposition. The Tractor Boys now await Monday’s fourth round draw, where they will discover their next opponent in this historic competition.