Wilfried Zaha’s penalty on the hour mark was enough to see Premier League Crystal Palace to a 1-0 victory over the Blues at Portman Road. The Eagles had had plenty of chances prior to Zaha finding the net from the spot having been fouled by the returning Kane Vincent-Young.

Joe Pigott and Scott Fraser made their first appearances in Town shirts as fans returned to Portman Road, while four of the other summer signings also started, as did Vincent-Young having undergone shoulder surgery at the end of last season, but with Lee Evans missing.

Town began the game with new keeper Vaclav Hladky in goal, Vincent-Young at right-back, Matt Penney on the left and Toto Nsiala, who skippers, and Luke Woolfenden the centre-halves.

In midfield, youngster Cameron Humphreys was the surprise inclusion alongside new additions Rekeem Harper, who was also in the centre, Wes Burns on the right and Scott Fraser on the left. James Norwood was just off Pigott up front.

Evans is understood to have picked up a knock in training and was not involved, while Jon Nolan was again absent having suffered a calf problem early in pre-season.

A surprise on the bench was the inclusion of Kayden Jackson, who has been relegated to the U23s throughout pre-season up to now.

Macauley Bonne, Janoi Donacien and Armando Dobra were also among the subs alongside a number of younger players.

New Palace boss Patrick Vieira was in charge for the second time having won 1-0 at Walsall last week.

The Eagles named a strong line-up featuring the likes of Wilfried Zaha, Jordan Ayew, Cheikhou Kouyate, Nathaniel Clyne, Jeffrey Schlupp and James McArthur.

The Town crowd made themselves heard as the players took to the field, 17 months after the last time Portman Road was graced by support of a significant number.

The Blues started brightly with Pigott showing an early aerial presence and Town winning a couple of early corners.

However, following one of those flag-kicks, in the fourth minute, Palace broke quickly through Zaha, who crossed from the right to Jean-Philippe Mateta completely unmarked but the Frenchman made a real mess of it and somehow sent the ball looping wide, much to the delight of the Sir Bobby Robson Stand.

Two minutes later, Zaha threatened again having been sent away down the middle into the area, but Vincent-Young slid in to take the ball away from the Ivory Coast international as he looked to pull the trigger.

The Premier League side continued to present the greater threat but Mateta again failed to find the target by some distance on eight, then a minute later an Ayew effort looped wide of Hladky’s right post via a deflection.

Town were fortunate not to have conceded at least once with the Eagles having carved their way through their backline with ease. On 14 Zaha cut in from the left unchallenged before shooting high and wide.

On 23 Ayew curled a free-kick over the bar after Humphreys had fouled Zaha just outside the box.

Two minutes later, Zaha twisted and turned his way into the area but Nsiala slid across to clear against the former Manchester United man and out for a goal-kick.

The one-way traffic continued and on 26 Nsiala again did well to prevent Zaha from finding Ayew with a pass inside the area.

From the corner, the Premier League side, who had already had enough chances to have had the game sewn up, managed their first effort on target, skipper James Tomkins heading goalwards and Hladky saving to his right.

Burns struck Town’s first shot of the afternoon just after the half-hour, striking a 25-yard effort after Pigott had chested down to him which Vicente Guaita saved to his right.

Hladky saved from Ayew’s flicked header in the 33rd minute following a corner, then three minutes later at the other end Burns whipped over a cross but Cheikhou Kouyate got ahead of Norwood to clear.

On 42 Hladky had to come off his line quickly to dive at Zaha’s feet. The ball ran loose but Nsiala showed the presence of mind to lay it off to a Woolfenden, who cleared.

In injury time, Fraser played a clever ball in for Burns darting across from the right flank but the move ultimately came to nothing.

The Blues were applauded at the whistle, while Palace will have wondered how they weren’t in front having dominated and having had more than enough chances to not only have grabbed the lead but had the game won.

However, a combination of bad finishing, some determined last-ditch defending from Nsiala in particular and a couple of sharp Hladky saves meant the scores remained level.

At the other end, Burns had forced Guaita into his only save of the game, after good work from Pigott, who had shown enough to suggest he will be a big presence as the lone striker in League One in the season ahead, and the former Fleetwood man had presented Town’s greatest threat breaking down the right.

Palace began the second half in the same manner as the much of the first with Zaha seeing an early effort deflected wide from the left of the box.

From the corner, Mateta headed off the bar and Nsiala somehow turned the ball behind as it dropped inside the six-yard area. Following that corner, Hladky tipped over from Schlupp.

Town went close to taking the lead in the 52nd minute when Vincent-Young and Burns exchanged passes on the right and the former Colchester man brought it forward before finding Norwood. The Town number 10 knocked it down to Pigott 20 yards out from where the former AFC Wimbledon man struck a low 20-yard shot which hit the outside of Guaita’s left post.

Five minutes later, Palace also struck a post, Mateta hitting a low effort which beat Hladky but cannoned against the woodwork. Nsiala was again first to the loose ball to half-clear. However, Zaha brought the ball in from the left and forced Hladky to palm wide with a well-struck effort from an angle.

Just before the hour mark Palace were awarded a penalty when Zaha brought the ball across Vincent-Young and the Blues’ defender sent the winger sprawling as he sought to make a challenge.

There were few complaints from Town and Zaha got up to hit his spot-kick into the roof of Hladky’s net to finally break the deadlock.

Following the goal, the Blues swapped Norwood and Fraser for Bonne and Dobra, while Palace took off Guaita, Tomkins, Kouyate, Clyne, Tyrick Mitchell and Jairo Riedewald and introduced Jack Butland, Martin Kelly, Marc Guéhi, Joel Ward, Reece Hannam and Luka Milivojevic.

On 63 Ayew curled a shot wide, then seven minutes later Pigott was just unable to direct his header on target having been found by a cross from the left.

Soon after Town swapped Burns and Vincent-Young, who were given a warm ovation by the Blues support, for Jesse Nwabueze and Janoi Donacien, while Palace exchanged the rest of the XI that has started.

On 75 Town withdrew Humphreys following his first taste of senior football and Harper with Fraser Alexander and Matt Healy taking over. Five minutes later, Pigott and Penney made way for Matt Ward and Bailey Clements.

All the substitutions disrupted the game and it wasn’t until the 84th minute that there was another chance, Hladky not convincingly palming over from Street. Following the subsequent corner, the Czech keeper made a better stop from Rak-Sakyi’s strike.

Town swapped centre-halves Nsiala, Town’s man of the match, and Woolfenden for Corrie Ndaba and Albie Armin with fine minutes remaining.

Palace were deserved winners of an entertaining game with the two divisions well in evidence prior to the second-half substitutions. Zaha in particularly proved far too much for the Blues’ backline to handle.

Town went closest via Pigott's second-half effort which struck the post, while Burns forced Guaita into his most significant save in the first period.

The workout against such comparatively stiff opposition will have been good for the Blues, who face Colchester away on Tuesday and Millwall at Portman Road in their final friendly on Saturday.

Town: Hladky, Vincent-Young (Donacien 71), Penney (Clements 80), Nsiala (c) (Ndaba 86), Woolfenden (Armin 86), Humphreys (Alexander 75), Burns (Nwabueze 71), Harper (Healy 75), Pigott (Ward 80), Norwood (Bonne 61), Fraser (Dobra 61). Unused: Holy, Jackson.

Palace: Guaita (Butland 61), Clyne (Ward 61), Kouyate (Guéhi 61), Tomkins (c) (Kelly 61), Mitchell (Hannam 61), Riedewald (Milivojevic 61), McArthur (Wells-Morrison 71), Schlupp (M Boateng 71), Zaha (Banks 71), Mateta (Rak-Sakyi 71), Ayew (Street 71). Referee: Neil Hair (Cambridgeshire).

Photo: Matchday Images

Linkboy13 added 21:35 - Jul 24 Can't believe how fans rate players that have done absolutely nothing to warrant a place in the first team El Mizouni really what's he ever done miles off being a first team player. It all goes to prove every player has a fan who thinks he's brilliant. Mizouni needs to go out on loan and prove he's good enough which he hasn't so far.
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Nobbysnuts added 21:52 - Jul 24 Blues1, I'm entitled to my opinion and just because it doesn't fit with yours I shouldn't have to put up with pathetic keyboard warriors like you...jog on
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budgieplucker added 21:54 - Jul 24 We do look light as a squad, however, the real positives for me were seeing the young lads. When lining up I thought young Cameron Humphrey's was the ball boy who had forgotten to leave the pitch. It was like one of those BGT Susan Boyle moments, an impish schoolboy lining up against hardened premiership players, I was nervous for the small young 17 year old praying that he wouldn't freeze and look completely out of his depth. Then bloody hell, the lad pressed superbly buzzing around the Palace players ankles like a little terrier, giving them no time or space and then he turns in space on a sixpence slows the game down and passes nicely. Now I have seen a bit of the lad Gibbs who just left us for Norwich who is an extremely intelligent footballer but closer to a Bishop or Dozzell rather than a Downes. I have to say in the two first team games that I saw Liam Gibbs he disappointed and didn't look ready to play at first team level. This lad Humphery's looks more of a Downes/Nydam hybrid, not so wooden in the turn as Downes. Get him in the gym bulk him up, let him grow a bit and stretch him and get him a contract as he looks as if he could be a really really good player. Then in the second half the youngster were gradually introduced, young Healy I have already tipped to become a good holding midfield player. Now Mat Smith the young lad we brought in from Wroxham I haven't seen anything of before. What cheeky feet having the Palace players foul and upend him twice, once making two of them at the same time looking silly. Indeed all the young lads came in and fitted for into the jigsaw as if the knew the system inside out, hunting and pressing in packs!!! Enjoyed the game....oh and what about Cookie's new recruits, have to agree that Wes Burns was the pick. Fraser quiet for me, Harper worked hard but did a lot more off the ball than on it apart from a couple of good bursts forward. Looks like Cookie wants to play Pigott in the number 10 role behind the main striker. Difficult to judge young Penney on this performance against this opposition. Toto and Woolfie had to work hard today and the new goalkeeper could be the new Kelvin Davis

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budgieplucker added 21:58 - Jul 24 Correction Matt Ward not Smith
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GTRKing added 22:04 - Jul 24 Good game against palace new signings played well I am very very concerned about the lack of CB's coming into the squad with it being soo close to the new season, can't reply on 2 CB's what if they get injured etc we will be F***ed I am sure there will be a few more faces before August the 7th
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ArnieM added 22:10 - Jul 24 Lots to be very happy about today with Towns performance against PL opponents . What REALLY pleased me was just how good our kids were that either started the game, or came on later in the game. Some looked simply outstanding.
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blues1 added 23:08 - Jul 24 Bobbysnuts. Yer in a keyboard warriors? Dont think so. Other than during covid obviously, ive missed 5 home games in 50 years. My gripe with fans like urself is, u clearly didnt go today or ud not have made the comments u did. There were loads of plus points out there today. So for u to come out and say it's a shambles simply shows ur talking rubbish. I will agree with people when they post something sensible and I agree with. But to post thst is pathetic. As theres no basis to what you posted. And I'm totally fed up with the negativity by fans at a time when we should all be behind the club. So yes, I tend to react to these kind of comments. Nothing personal against any individual. Just as I'll criticise thosexkinds of comments, if they say something that's right I'll praise them or at least upmark them. As I have you before now.

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algarvefan added 23:38 - Jul 24 To quote Michelle from Allo Allo, 'Listen very carefully I am only going to say this once'! The team put out today are a relative bunch of strangers, this process will take time, certainly into the first part of the season. There will be hiccups and some mistakes as players get to gel with each other. lets not get carried away folks but the signs are promising. On the business side of the club, I would have willingly paid to watch the game today live and I know several other ex-pats and people abroad would have done the same, even Colchester live streamed their game this afternoon for payment. So come on Ipswich, for those of us thousands of miles away and willing to pay the club money, please can we have a live stream. It's all money in the bank for the club.

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shakytown added 05:17 - Jul 25 A lot more signings to come so this is nowhere near our actual team. It will take time so we just have to be patient as well. Rome was not built in a day and neither are winning teams.
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Upthetown1970 added 06:11 - Jul 25 A good run out for the lads. I'm very worried that we haven't got a big enough squad yet. Cook dismantling the whole team for me is too radical. None of the youngsters are ready yet for first team action but put on a good show. We need another 8 signings if we are serious about be promotion contenders. Just my opinion guys.
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Nobbysnuts added 07:23 - Jul 25 I'm not being critical on the result against Palace....for from it. I'm critical of the fact we are clearly not ready for the start of the season and that's a fact. We are 6 players short at least and at this stage of pre season that is worrying.
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bluesteel added 08:20 - Jul 25 without another 4/5 players we are going nowhere
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bluesteel added 08:25 - Jul 25 someone needs to admit that we won't be challenging for promotion this season we've embarked on a total rebuild from top to bottom and we haven't got half way yet
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bluesteel added 08:26 - Jul 25 however some positive signs from the game
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Northstandveteran added 09:11 - Jul 25 Indeed Chepstowblue. I'm all for a bit of positive thinking on behalf of our fans but having read comments of us establishing ourselves in the premier league and increasing the capacity of Portman road, let's calm down a little. I do remember the excitement of hearing a 'Billionaire' had bought the club and when Roy Keane was appointed manager. Let's see how we get on against Morecambe before we worry about Madrid!

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ringwoodblue added 09:47 - Jul 25 Judging our team at the moment is like commenting on the look of a house with only one level and no roof. Unlike recent seasons, we will probably have a slow start but hopefully things will begin to come together before Christmas. We desperately need to keep and develop the youngsters like Humphreys and Ward as they look very promising.
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Marinersnose added 11:07 - Jul 25 Eddie1995 I agree with most of that. Unprofessional behaviour. We still have these players at the club so let's be sensible and use them when and where needed. Ostracising players makes a point but to leave them as outcasts isn't right. I didn't attend so cannot comment on performances. Nsiala imo is very limited as a footballer but a whole hearted defender who makes mistakes. Personally I've never seen him as a starter but if we are launching the ball forward he'd be fine. I'd like to see more of Ndaba. Another centre back required plus another striker and left back. Not long now. Nice opening game at home and a must win game for PC

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Steelmonkey added 11:23 - Jul 25 It was nice to see a centre forward of ours being able to compete in the air with Palaces centre backs, well done Piggott, young Humphries was a surprise who looked like he's going to be a an important member of the team a great opening game for him and that Matt Ward looks promising too such quick feet. I thought Woolfy had a confident game and was really pleased with all of the new signings. I'm hoping that some of the academy lads will push on now that they have had a taste of its team minutes on the PR pitch now that certain players have departed, ok Palace made a lot of changes in the second half but it must have given them a real confidence booster to get a chance to shine. I think we had become a little static in our play the last few seasons and certainly our opposition won't know what to expect when they come up against us so that could be an advantage. I'm sadly going to miss the opener at home to Morecombe so COYB's.

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Ipswichbusiness added 12:30 - Jul 25 Given the (welcome) presence of so many young players in the side and on the bench and our need for another centre-back or two, does anyone know why Elkan Baggott wasn't involved?
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Upthetown1970 added 17:06 - Jul 25 Ipswich business. believe Cook isn't too keen on Baggott. Lambert loved him but Cook doesnt. That's the thing about when a new manager comes in he doesnt always like the same types of player. That's football though!
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