Kevin Schade’s 18th-minute goal saw Brentford to a 1-0 victory over the Blues at Portman Road. The German international headed home a controversial three-times-taken corner with the Blues ultimately worthy of a point, Omari Hutchinson coming closest with a late strike which visitors keeper Mark Flekken pushed onto a post.

Town boss Kieran McKenna made one change from last week’s 2-2 draw at Everton with Axel Tuanzebe returning to the starting XI.

Tuanzebe, who had again been struggling with his recent hamstring problem, was at right-back with Luke Woolfenden dropping to the bench and Dara O’Shea moving into the middle of the backline.

Ben Johnson was back on the bench after his one-match ban but with Kalvin Phillips again absent after returning as a sub at Goodison Park having been suffering with an achilles issue.

Brentford named the same side that beat Manchester United 4-3 at the Gtech Community Stadium last week.

Town began on the front foot and in the second minute Hutchinson crossed from the right to Liam Delap, but the striker’s header was too close to Flekken in the Brentford goal.

On 12, with neither side having created a further opportunity, Julio Enciso dummied the ball then chased it into the Bees’ half before being hauled back by Michael Kayode, who was probably fortunate to avoid a booking.

In the 16th minute, much to the surprise of the Town players and fans, VAR paused the game for penalty check following a clash between Jacob Greaves and Sepp van den Berg as a corner was being taken on the right.

From the footage shown, Greaves had appeared to haul over the Brentford defender while falling, although what caused him to be tumbling wasn’t shown.

However, ultimately VAR decided against awarding a spot-kick as the corner hadn’t been taken and the ball wasn’t in play.

Before the flag-kick was taken again, Bees skipper Christian Norgaard pulled over Jack Taylor at the back of the box, referee Sam Barrott booking the pair, much to the annoyance of the Town midfielder, who felt he’d been fouled.

Eventually, Bryan Mbeumo sent the ball over for a third time and Schade rose high at the near post to flick the ball across Alex Palmer and into the corner of the net, the German’s 11th goal of the season.

Town fans, irked by the circumstances surrounding the goal, made their irritation with referee Barrott clear in the 32nd minute when they loudly and sarcastically celebrated a free-kick given against Norgaard for a foul on Hutchinson.

The Bees quickly won the ball back after the free-kick and Mbeumo was played in on the right of the box but the Cameroonian international’s rather scuffed effort was saved down to his right by Palmer.

A minute later, Schade received the ball from Mbeumo in the area and momentarily appeared to have an opening, but his control let him down and he went to ground under the attentions of Tuanzebe appealing for a penalty. Referee Barrott waved away the protests and VAR agreed.

Taylor shot powerfully wide of Flekken’s right post from distance in the 39th minute with chances rare at both ends.

As the game moved into two additional minutes, Mikkel Damsgaard scraped a shot across the face and wide from the left of the area after a Mbeumo strike from the other side of the box had been deflected into the air.

At the whistle, there were boos from the Town support aimed towards referee Barrott for the circumstances relating to the goal, perhaps more the second incident involving Norgaard and Taylor rather than the first when the Blues appeared fortunate not to have conceded a penalty with the ball deemed not in play when both incidents occurred.

Aside from that incident, Brentford had been the better side but by not an awful lot having not been allowed to create too much, while still looking the most threatening, particularly from set pieces.

Town’s only real chances had been Delap’s early header and Taylor’s shot wide towards the end.

Two minutes after the restart, Yoane Wissa pole-axed Greaves with a shot from the right of the area, the defender, playing at left-back again, able to continue after a brief hiatus.

Town started to see more of the ball and in the 51st minute Enciso, who had been quiet since the early stages, brought it into the area from the left but failed to find Delap with his low pass.

Within a minute at the other end, Wissa was played in by Damsgaard and took his shot early, but Palmer got down quickly to his left to save.

The Blues were very close to getting on terms in the 54th minute when Hutchinson whipped over a left-footed cross from the right and Delap just failed to get the touch which which have guided it inside the post, while Greaves behind him seemed unsighted.

Two minutes later, Town swapped Chaplin for Jack Clarke with Enciso moving into the middle, then on 62 Jens Cajuste and George Hirst took over from Taylor and Delap.

Moments after the changes, Clarke lost possession midway inside the Town half and the Bees broke towards the area and Keane Lewis-Potter and Kayode each had efforts blocked before Schade shot low through to Palmer, while Lewis-Potter claimed a penalty to no avail.

Five minutes later, VAR checked another incident, one not dissimilar to the Greaves incident in the first half. This time the ball was in flight as Tuanzebe and Nathan Collins tussled. VAR opted against awarding a penalty with both players deemed to have been committing fouls.

In the 70th minute, Mbeumo volleyed a left-sided cross powerfully towards goal from beyond the back post, Palmer saving very sharply. Wissa followed up with a strike which deflected into the air then caught Greaves in the face with a boot as he attempted an overhead kick, bizarrely with the foot which hadn’t struck the ball. While the Town support called for a red card, referee Barrott showed only a yellow.

Four minutes later, after Mathias Jensen had replaced goalscorer Schade, there was more corner controversy, this time at the other end, Greaves claiming a penalty after wrestling with Yehor Yarmoliuk. Overworked VAR Jarred Gillett took a look but felt no offence had been committed.

Morsy shot over after good work from Enciso and Clarke, then, as the game moved into its final 10 minutes, there was more controversy, Hirst escaping behind the Brentford backline following a defensive slip. As the striker burst into the area to shoot his heel appeared to be clipped and his effort bobbled wide.

Hirst vehemently appealed that he had been fouled - although replays suggested the contact was outside the box - but again the decision went against the Blues.

On 82, Hutchinson went very close to getting Town back on terms, beating Jensen on the right of the box before hitting a shot which Flekken pushed onto his post and behind.

Ahead of the flag-kick, Hirst was shoved into the goal by Kayode and referee Barrott booked both players, with the Scotland international looking bemused by the decision.

When the corner came in, it flicked off a Brentford player and inched narrowly past the far post for another flag-kick.

Town continued to push for an equaliser but in the 84th minute Enciso’s shot was wayward. A minute later, Town replaced Tuanzebe with Johnson and the Bees Damsgaard with Igor Thiago.

With the game in the second of five additional minutes, Yarmoliuk was booked for a foul on Enciso, again prompting cheers from the home support frustrated with the way the game had been refereed.

A minute later, Town again went very close to levelling. Hutchinson crossed from the right, the ball was too high for Hirst but Cameron Burgess behind him shot across Flekken, who saved with his left foot.

After the Bees had switched Wissa for Yunus Konak, Town created another chance, Hutchinson again creating the opportunity, cutting back inside his man on the right and sending over a cross which Hirst met but headed straight at Flekken.

The Blues looped the ball back into the box one more time but too close to the keeper before referee Barrott’s whistle confirmed another defeat for Town and was the trigger for chants of ‘1-0 to the referee’ from the home support, who one again warmly applauded their team as they went over to pay tribute.

Once more the Blues, who have extended their record run of home defeats to eight, will feel they deserved more from a game which they lost by one goal having had a number of decent chances to level, most of them in the final 15 minutes.

Hirst looked to have been clipped when through, while Flekken made excellent saves from both Hutchinson and Burgess, while the Scotland international may feel he should have directed his late header away from the keeper.

The main story of the game, however was the constant grappling at set pieces at both ends, largely instigated by Brentford, which referee Barrott failed to get a handle on all match leading to frequent VAR calls breaking the game up and making it a frustrating watch for supporters of both teams.

However, the letter of the law was probably adhered to ahead of the game’s winning goal, assuming the ball wasn’t in play prior to Taylor being fouled by Norgaard, something which wasn't clear from replays shown during the match.

The win sees Brentford maintain their push for Europe, while Town continue to look for their second home win of the season with only the final-day visit by West Ham - which follows next Sunday’s trip to Leicester - remaining.

Town: Palmer, Tuanzebe, O’Shea, Burgess, Greaves, Morsy (c), Taylor (Cajuste 62), Hutchinson, Chaplin (Clarke 56), Enciso, Delap (Hirst 62). Unused: Walton, Woolfenden, Johnson, Godfrey, Boniface, Luongo.

Brentford: Flekken, Kayode, Van den Berg, Collins, Lewis-Potter, Norgaard (c), Yarmoliuk. Damsgaard (Thiago 85), Mbeumo, Schade (Jensen 72), Wissa. Unused: Valdimarsson, Henry, Pinnock, Mee, Konak, Maghoma, Nunes. Referee: Sam Barrott (West Riding). VAR: Jarred Gillett. Att: 29,511 (Brentford: 2,953).

Photo: Matchday Images

Kickingblock added 17:13 - May 10 "Corner to Brentford!"
1

TimmyH added 17:14 - May 10 Wish we could play all our games away...that's 8 straight losses at PR - embarrassing! Fact is for all our anemic football particularly majority of the 2nd half we had the chances to not only equalise but to win but scoffed them, strange this all in the last 15 minutes - maybe something to do with Cajuste/Clarke coming on? and the 'nowt all' Jack Taylor going off? Have to say the support from the home crowd today was 1st class...they deserve soo much more!

5

TimmyH added 17:16 - May 10 Also have to say never known so much play acting and wrestling in the box from corners in one match it got a bit tiring after a while...
5

Broadbent23 added 17:31 - May 10 A very strange game, considering we played well at Brentford. With only 4 shots in 65+ minutes then 7 shots in last 30 minutes. We are definitely in limbo with LD probably going and players looking forward to the end of the season. Probably the wrong starting eleven and not a good advert for motivating season ticket sales. We are being mooted as Championship favourites, but our players have to show up for 90 minutes. I just feel disappointed about today's game.

3

Bert added 17:38 - May 10 A cracking game and deserved a point.
-5

Tedray added 17:42 - May 10 Let down as usual by a non existant midfield over run yet again. Liked the back five probably the best that we could field. But then it had to be to give the team any chance of survival Up front light weight with one or two exceptions. We will not be able to lose many more games now but radical changes needed.
-1

MVBlue added 17:58 - May 10 Breaking all the wrong records. We are in danger of forgetting how to win for next season... However we knew it would be tough. Slow rise. Need another win boys.
4

Barty added 18:05 - May 10 VAR and the premiership is so corrupt it's unbelievable. The referee was an absolute joke and obviously travelled on the Brentford coach. We deserved something from todays game but hey ho we got sweet FA. I could list so many things that the ref got wrong today but that would take me a week to do. Rant over.
10

Gforce added 18:06 - May 10 An awful lot of the dark arts from Brentford, which we've seen all too often this season. Hopefully a lot less of that to contend with in the championship. Credit to the players, they stuck at it second half and probably deserved a point in the end. Thought Greaves and Enciso were outstanding. Shout out to Cajuste as well ,made a difference when he came on,pure quality. (Please stay!)

10

del45 added 18:14 - May 10 5 home goals since January tells the story why things are not good for the Championship ??
4

EssexTractor added 18:15 - May 10 Today some plus points Palmer played well one mishap leading to a corner from a miscue played back to him) The back four dug in as defenders but cannot release the ball quickly enough in a forward direction But that has a lot to do with an inadequate midfield..Morsy tried as one expects a captain to do, Chaplin - excellent in last two seasons not up the rigours of Premiership. Football, Taylor nowhere to be seen . Others expressed a view at half time what does Delap do , well be came up against extremely powerful centre back , as he will wherever he might play if he stays somewhere in Prenier League, but again the distribution to him was sadly amiss, although was he 100% interested ,,he had an early header , beyond that Brentford found him an easy opponent Omari dazzled in moments and the only exciting particularly dangerous player belongs to Brighton , for although he throws himself down a lot he has great skill and is passionate The crowd were magnificent despite the plight. In all my time of watching I have never seen a corner “ retaken” three times ( including a VAR) interruption with that endless jostling ..Had the official looked initially at Wissa pushing Omari almost into the goal mouth in the first melee, he would have blown for a free kick to ITFC , BUT NO , the outcome 1-0 to Brentford But the facts are Brentford have strength , they have pace , they have Premier League experience , they were better than us on the day , and our rebuilding must take into account the weaknesses encountered this season , to enable us to be a real threat in the Championship from August. Old favourites will have to go. We hoped Portman Road would to be a continuing fortress from the previous two years. That has to be the target, the support is still there despite the most awful season of home score lines .

9

ipswichultra added 18:16 - May 10 Despite the result not going their way, Ipswich can count themselves unlucky to come away with nothing against Brentford today. There were long spells—particularly in the first half—where Brentford simply couldn’t cope with Town’s attacking intent and intensity. The movement, pressing, and forward play caused real problems, and on another day, the result could’ve been very different. Looking ahead, there’s still plenty of reason for optimism. With Marcus Harness returning next year in top form, and the prospect of a fully fit Conor Chaplin and Nathan Broadhead linking up again, Ipswich will have a potent attacking trio capable of pushing for a playoff spot. There’s every chance this side can turn promise into real progress next season.

2

DifferentGravy added 18:32 - May 10 Same tactics from the outset....yet expects a different outcome. Only one player to aim at up front....pass,pass,pass at the back....then lose the ball and on the back foot. We had a free drop ball inside their half and then passed, passed, passed......back to our keeper. Maddening. Finally, second half he brings Clarke/Hirst on, we go a bit more direct.....and once again, lo and behold, we create chances. But too little too late. We may well have a squad to compete in the championship.....and the tactics may well work in that league. But it doesnt always work in the premier league. Got to have more than one tactic one trick pony.

5

SickParrot added 18:35 - May 10 Brentford never got out of second gear but were still able to take all 3 points. As we're already relegated I don't understand why we were so passive for most of the game. Apart from the early chance for Delap created by Hutch our only attacking threat in the first 80 minutes came from Enciso but he couldn't find the final pass. Delap was on the beach, Jack Taylor offered nothing and Morsy only made an impression when the tiring Bees had slowed to his pace and we have no one who can deliver a decent corner. I have seen very little since Fulham away to believe that we will be in contention for an immediate return to the PremLeague next season.

3

DifferentGravy added 18:36 - May 10 Think some had a few too many shandies watching that first half judging by a few of the comments
-2

Juanforthemoney added 18:37 - May 10 I don’t think anyone had a stinker today (apart from the officials!). Sadly we can’t seem to get a grip on games in the midfield when we play at home and are constantly exposed against pace yet teams- the central 2 in midfield needs an overhaul for the rigours of the championship. The defence did their job defending but their distribution wasn’t clever. One or 3 players already on the beach for me today with a loanee (Enciso) showing the most effort. Could be an interesting transfer window!

2

inghamspur added 18:38 - May 10 We improved as soon as Delap went off. It's clear that his head is elsewhere. Enciso was excellent, need to hang on to him.
4

Linkboy13 added 19:00 - May 10 Can't wait for next season really going to miss the a Premier league or should i say Sky league the bent official's constant stoppages for VAR players play acting and seeing our team outclassed nearly every week. Brentford are a good side and controlled most of the game but we probably deserved a point in the end . Encisco showed us what it takes to play in the Premier league pace, strength and technical ability good games also for Morsy and Greaves.

5

virginblue added 19:14 - May 10 This place cracks me up. “Seen little since Fulham away to make someone think we can compete for a return”. How about the 90 minutes at Coventry who finished 5th and we totally dismantled? Some people just enjoy being miserable. Enjoyable game today with the exception of Brentford’s antics and a referee who managed to book two players second half with his back to the incident.

0

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 19:47 - May 10 I think we looked like a good Championship side against a very sharp PL side. Could have been a cup match in different circumstances: intensity and a committed crowd, but with the stronger, faster team coming out on top in the end. Next season will be interesting and hopefully successful, but there are no guarantees as the team will surely have to undergo a fairly significant overhaul with several outs and hopefully a few ins as well. I'm looking forward to the challenge. COYB!

0

benslifeyt added 19:51 - May 10 Poor game of football first half . Second half we played a lot better .. overall we didn’t play badly and not too disappointed about the result…. Watching highlights the ref had a stinker for both teams . Brentford should have had a pen definitely. At least he was consistently bad for both teams
1

runaround added 20:30 - May 10 It’s the first stoppage in play at the never ending corner that irked me the most. The corner had been taken and at least 2 players had touched the ball before the ref stopped the game. VAR then correctly said if there had been an offence then it was before the ball was live. But the ball was live when the referee stopped the game so therefore the game should surely restart as it stopped with a drop ball. I have seen this happen in games this season. By giving Brentford chance to take the corner again surely if they gave them an unfair advantage? If a game is stopped just after a corner is taken due to a clash of heads would they have restarted with a corner? No

3

blueboy1981 added 20:34 - May 10 Give it a Rest - if the Referee’s this season have been as biased against Ipswich, as some of you pathetically deluded people suggest - then the Club would be filing an Official Complaint, so please do not be so pathetic, you only serve to embarrass yourselves, and the Club. Equally so the Referee’s and VAR have NOT been the reason for our Relegation. Still on the subject, the same people have continuously implied that the Premiership is Corrupt, as well as other accusations too - in that case you will not want to return to the Premiership then any time soon - Will You ?? Maybe doing a Luton suits you best ? - Don’t count Chickens before they Hatch ! You may end up with Egg on your Face ! No doubt the Referee’s would be to blame for that too ?? Just saying !!

-3

RobsonWark added 20:57 - May 10 How the hell do you defend a corner when your eyes are always on the opposition player rather than on the ball. Stop all the grappling, and potential penalties, and watch and defend the ball from going in the net.
3

poet added 21:49 - May 10 I’m bewildered, if that’s what it takes to get to 8th position in the PL, then I’m also confused. Yes we were poor in the first half, we didn’t press enough, and we certainly made them look far better than they actually were. They were far more adept at pulling shirts, pushing from behind and going to ground if our lads just looked at them. In the second half, we made them look exactly what they were…. Pretty ordinary. We have ourselves to blame, if we’d played like we did in the second half for all of the 90 minutes, they would be going back to the bus shelter with nothing. We lacked commitment in that first half, which I found unpalatable…. Not good enough.

0

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