Luke Garbutt netted his second goal in two games for the Blues on the quarter-half mark but Lynden Gooch levelled for Sunderland in the second half as Town and the Black Cats drew an entertaining game 1-1 at Portman Road. Garbutt shot low under Wearsiders’ keeper Jon McLaughlin in the 15th minute as the Blues dominated the first half but Gooch profited from skipper Luke Chambers’s error on 64 to claim an undeserved equaliser for the visitors.

Chambers returned to an otherwise unchanged Blues line-up having been suspended last week at Burton. The 33-year-old replaced James Wilson at the heart of the defence with the Wales international dropping to the bench.

Alan Judge and Emyr Huws were also among the subs, as was Andre Dozzell, who missed the game at the Pirelli Stadium due to a knee problem.

Sunderland made two changes with Luke O’Nien and skipper Aiden McGeady both starting, while Elliot Embleton and Will Grigg dropped to the bench. Ex-Blues captain Grant Leadbitter was also among the subs.

In blustery conditions, the Blues started on the front foot, winning an early corner on the left. Home debutant Garbutt’s ball in from the left was headed into the arms of Black Cats keeper McLaughlin by another man making his Portman Road bow, James Norwood.

Town felt they should have been awarded a penalty in the sixth minute when Kayden Jackson chased a Luke Woolfenden pass, took it into the area and looked to be felled by a Sunderland defender.

Referee Neil Hair immediately blew his whistle but instead of pointing to the spot gave a freekick to the visitors and booked Jackson for diving. It looked a very harsh decision and the Blues striker was evidently very frustrated at having been yellow-carded when he felt he had been fouled.

The Blues had kept the Wearsiders pinned back in their half for virtually the entire opening quarter of an hour and in the 15th minute they went in front.

A loose ball fell to Garbutt inside the area to the right. The Everton man took it on towards the touchline and from a tight angle squeezed a low shot through keeper McLaughlin’s legs and into the net to send the Portman Road crowd, which had already made itself heard, into raptures.

The midfielder celebrated his second goal in only his second game for the Blues in front of the East of England Co-op Stand with his team-mates.

The match continued after Jackson had received treatment for a blow on the head received in the attack which ultimately led to the goal.

On 20 goalscorer Garbutt won a freekick 25 yards out, took it himself and hit the wall with his effort.

Town twice went close from the corner when Skuse turned a shot goalwards only for it to be deflected away from goal. The ball was returned into the box and Norwood hooked a volley only just wide.

In the 24th minute Rowe intercepted a loose Sunderland pass on the Town right and sent in a cross which keeper McLaughlin only just diverted away from Norwood.

Danny Rowe, making his first home start, more than two and a half years after joining the club, thought he had won a penalty on the half hour as he appeared to be caught as he he sought to shoot but referee Hair instead awarded a freekick to the visitors for reasons which weren’t entirely clear.

Sunderland started to see more of the ball but with Tomas Holy, another making his home debut, still untested.

Skuse sent Jackson away on the left in the 33rd minute, the ex-Accrington man waiting for his team-mates before sending in a low cross which was cut out ahead of Norwood.

Garbutt underwent treatment for a knock in the 35th minute but soon got back on his feet and struck a shot from 25 yards which keeper McLaughlin kept out but couldn’t hold. The Everton loanee looked to get in another effort but was hampered by a grounded Sunderland player, however, again referee Hair waved away Town appeals for a penalty.

Town continued to search for their second goal and in the 37th minute Rowe burst down the right and fed Jackson, who moved the ball on to Norwood, whose shot on the turn was blocked by a defender and ricocheted through to McLaughlin.

A minute later, the Wearsiders, who had already switched to a back four from the three-man backline in which they had started, managed their first strike of the afternoon, Gooch cutting in from the left before hitting a shot which flew well wide.

The Blues were forced into a change in the 39th minute when Garbutt succumbed to his earlier injury and was replaced by Alan Judge. The goal-a-game midfielder was warmly applauded off by his new fans.

Judge immediately got into the game and in the 43rd minute curled a shot from distance into McLaughlin’s arms.

As the game moved into four minutes of injury time Norwood threatened three times, first smashing a shot against Tom Flanagan as he and Jackson chased a ball over the top, then volleyed a strike wide off a defender from the corner, then screwed an effort high and wide from the subsequent flag-kick.

Applause greeted the half-time whistle with the Blues having been very impressive and deserving more than just their one-goal lead.

Town had started strongly and had controlled the game from the off, not allowing the Black Cats to get a foothold in the game at any stage.

The Blues had had chances to add to their lead and were unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty in the incident in which Jackson was booked, while Holy in the Town goal had largely been a spectator.

Sunderland, who had been dismal in the first half, swapped Denver Hume for Chris Maguire ahead of the second half as they moved to 4-4-2.

The Blues continued to have most of the ball in the Wearsiders’ half, albeit without quite the same control of the first half, but without forcing McLaughlin into serious action.

There was a scare on 58 when McGeady whipped over a ball from the left which flew not too far in front of Marc McNulty and just past Holy’s left post.

Just after the hour George Dobson was shown his side’s first yellow card for a foul on Judge on halfway.

The Blues had looked in no danger but in the 64th minute the visitors equalised. After Town had lost possession on halfway, Maguire played the ball forward down the Sunderland left and Chambers tried to see the ball out for a goalkick.

However, McNulty closed him down and won the ball before squaring it to Gooch, who slammed into the net from 12 yards before running to celebrate with the Black Cats fans in Cobbold Stand to his left.

Having all but gifted the opposition an equaliser they didn’t deserve, the Blues went about restoring their lead. Norwood and Rowe both having efforts blocked as the Wearsiders made heavy weather of clearing in the aftermath of a corner.

On 73 Rowe made a darting run to the left of the box and played a pass to Norwood on the edge of the box but the striker’s shot was straight at McLaughlin. Moments later, Sunderland swapped McGeady for Will Grigg.

In the 78th minute Town switched Rowe for Dozzell with the England U20 international taking up a role on the right. Five minutes later, the Black Cats introduced Alim Ozturk for Jordan Willis, who had suffered a knock a few minutes earlier.

The Blues continued to see most of the ball as the game moved into its final scheduled five minutes.

On 86, Chambers claimed a penalty when O’Nien appeared to handled the ball away from goal as a cross came in from the right but referee Hair awarded a freekick against the Town captain for a push.

Jordan Roberts replaced the lively Jackson as the game moved into three minutes of injury time.

The Blues continued to look for their second goal, Judge hitting a low effort which McLaughlin just held on to ahead of waiting Town strikers.

But Town were unable to find a the goal which would have won them a game from which they really should have claimed three points from their first-half display.

Sunderland were more in it in the second half but aside from their goal - which was largely the result of Town errors - Holy had been unthreatened with the goal the Black Cats' only shot on target.

At the other end, McLaughlin was similarly not tested sufficiently with too many of Town's efforts - seven on target over the 90 minutes - too close to the former Burton keeper.

Town will also feel they were unfortunate not to have been awarded a penalty when Jackson was fouled early on.

However, overall it was a very positive Blues display against a Black Cats team all but certain to be in the promotion shake-up come May in front of a vociferous 24,051 crowd at Portman Road.

It was a more dominant display than at Burton last week, certainly in the first half, with the victory over the Brewers having been based more on a counter-attacking threat.

Town, who are sixth in the early-season table, will be hoping to continue their unbeaten start to the League One season when they travel to Peterborough, who are yet to pick up a point, next Saturday, following Tuesday’s Carabao Cup tie at Luton.

Town: Holy, Donacien, Woolfenden, Chambers (c), Kenlock, Skuse, Downes, Rowe (Dozzell 78), Garbutt (Judge 39), Jackson (Roberts (90), Norwood. Unused: Norris, Wilson, El Mizouni, Huws.

Sunderland: J McLaughlin, C McLaughlin, Willis (Ozturk 83), Flanagan, Gooch, McGeouch, O'Nien, Hume (Maguire 46), Dobson, McGeady (c) (Grigg 73), McNulty. Unused: Burge, Power, Embleton, Leadbitter. Referee: Neil Hair (Cambridgeshire). Att: 24,041 (Sunderland: 1,847).

Photo: TWTD

BobbyPetta11 added 18:43 - Aug 10 Blues1 - extenuating circumstances? What were they ? He's slow & terrible in possession. Yes he was ok on the whole today as there wasn't a massive press against him which sends him into a panic. As the poor bloke is feeling bad for his error, I suspected you've posted your vote for supporters player. Lambert knows his stuff, he will be dropped when Toto is back in the fold.

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dirtydingusmagee added 18:49 - Aug 10 i'll be honest didnt expect us to win ,however the result was disapointing in the end. As last season we just dont seem to be a team for 90 minutes. First half we did play well ,and should have extended our lead. Sadly when Garbutt went off things went down hill. Judge did nothing by comparrison [still has much to prove imo. ] Second half was like a different game, we did not perform anywhere near first half.I could see us dropping points as we let Sunderland off the hook. 4 fro 6 points isnt a bad start, but there was enough evidence to show we have to do a lot better to get anywhere . Some people say its just one mistake by Chambers ,his first ! yes true BUT he is carrying on where he left off , far too many mistakes last season ,and first game this season he has cost us again . Great support, good first half .........but must do better . Far too early to be too harsh though .

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bluemike1969 added 18:50 - Aug 10 Why make a scapegoat out of Chambers, because he is totally inept clueless, can't read the game, liability..... Do you seriously want me to go on? Drop this fool before it's too late. Whatever league he plays in, he is total dross and we all know it
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bluemike1969 added 18:56 - Aug 10 Luke Chambers won't make any more mistakes this season?... Yeah.... And I'm going to become a highly paid porn star at the age of 50 and with a beer belly......
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delias_cheesy_flaps added 18:57 - Aug 10 We played so well first half and deserved more than a single goal, very promising indeed, lots to be positive about! Unfortunately marred by Captain Calamity at his absolute finest, instead of smashing the ball for a throw-in he decides to try and run the ball out for a goal kick, to be bundled of the ball so easily when your sole intention is to be an obstruction really is laughable and to cap it all off, gift Sunderland an equaliser their play did not warrant or deserve! This visibly knocked the stuffing out of what was a calm and collected display by town. I wonder why Chambers is a shoe-in for defence when quite clearly he is well past his sell-by date? Thanks Luke for costing us two points to a team who deserved fark all!

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Bert added 18:57 - Aug 10 A brilliant 60 minutes so let's remember it for that. Downes and Skuse were outstanding, we were a team on the attack full of flair and confidence. The atmosphere was a joy. Unfortunately, our defensive cock up will feature more on here than what was good. It can only get better when Norwood and Jackson are on fire so let the positive posts outweigh the negative ones.
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Marinersnose added 19:00 - Aug 10 I'll start with the many positives. The crowd and atmosphere was amazing for league one. First half performance was fantastic but we have to be more clinical in front of goal. So many clear cut chances went begging. Garbutt was excellent and when he left the field some of the positive energy appeared to dwindle. Second half Sunderland who were poor first half took control albeit without creating a goal scoring opportunity, cue Captain Calamity to help them on their way. An easy tap into touch and danger averted but not Chambers he gets the ball stuck under his feet loses possession and gifts them a goal and costs his team 3 points. He's cost his team too often over the past twelve months with catastrophic individual errors and therefore he is a serious weakness. Young Woolfenden was superb as was Downes. We still need another striker and a right back. If Sunderland are favourites then this league is pretty poor. Drop Chambers and this team will grow in confidence

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budgieplucker added 19:01 - Aug 10 Expectations have been building these recent weeks, 24,000 rock up 22,000 supporting the blues. Great support and atmosphere, dominant first half display but as the game went on some the existing problems began to surface. No ability to finish off a match. Perhaps somebody can help me out here please, can somebody remind me when was the last time we scored from a corner? Is it just me or does anyone else feel that getting a corner is frustrating because you expect it to just be wasted time and time again. In fairness the conditions made it difficult today, so trying to play football itself was at times going to be a bit hit or miss. We were though just not good enough in either box, despite winning numerous corners. Jackson still not good enough for me at this level, Norwood needs a little time to get the pace of this division which is probably half a yard faster than what he is used to, but he does pose a threat. Holy has to take some of the blame for not coming out, Chambers should have put the ball in touch and stopped dithering and then given Holy a rocket. Like what I saw of Garbutt, an industrious player who supported his full back and an ability to score goals, 2 in 2. Take note Mr Judge. Thought Ritch's post match comments were spot on on radio Suffolk this afternoon. Judge just seemed to get in everyone's way and cock things up. Myles also needs to do a lot lot more for me at full back, looks capable of getting himself in a tangle from time to time, on the other flank though I thought Donacien did OK. Assured performance again from Woolfie. Skuse solid and another very good performance from Flynn Downes. However, second half the game was crying out for Emyr Huws, but Dozza was given the nod. If It had been an end to end nail biting game and Sunderland has showed some real quality then I would have settled for a draw and came away pleased that we matched the favourites. However, it feels so deflating gifting two points away!!!!

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Henrietta_R_Hippo added 19:05 - Aug 10 Suggestion for the Editors in Chief of highly respected British dictionary publishers like say Oxford, Collins, Cambridge, MacMillan etc.: In connection with any new edition being prepared for going to print, and the related editorial crunch-time for among other things careful consideration of adjustments or fresh modern & contemporary examples of any particular word and so on, then PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE add under the word "Calamitous": 1) = LUKE CHAMBERS a.k.a "CAPTAIN CALAMITY" for Ipswich Town FC ( Thank you in advance! smile ) ------------ PS: It's very early days yes, but nevertheless as I personally anticipated on opening day Town's overall offensive capabilities, when at full health, definitely *appear* well strong enough (obviously combined with Mr. Lambert NOT, repeat NOT, making the stupefying same "lone attacker" & OTHER tactical inept and/or ultra stubborn mistakes incl. with the personnel again & again, that he unequivocally made throughout the bigger part of his tenure last season in tier two!) to accomplish finishing somewhere in the top 6 here in tier three, maybe even top 2... ...but as implied ONLY ONLY ONLY ONLY if "Captain Calamity" is not in the starting XI, and oh well to be perfectly frank, even better = In relative close games is not any significant amount of minutes on the field at all!!! (Terribly sorry Chambo. But sometimes: *The Truth, and nothing but The Truth! so help me Donald Trump!!!* ...seriously hurts. Sorry)

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brittaniaman added 19:12 - Aug 10 As the old saying goes (a game of 2 halves) First half real Championship Football 2nd half league 1 dogged football !!! Shame is we should have been out of sight of them in the 1st half, 6pts. would have been nice to finish this Sat. but 4pts. is still good.
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londontractorboy57 added 19:14 - Aug 10 Good game played in attrocious footballing conditions however Town handled them better than Sunderland. Why the hell chambo didnt just boot the ball out only he knows im affraid hes becoming a bit of a liability. The other worrying thing is for all our dominace we dont seem to be able to put games to bed could become costly over the course of a season. In the end thought we were much the better team suppose before the game would of settled for the point. On To Luton in the Cup Forgot to mention the fantastic support well done all.

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blues1 added 19:19 - Aug 10 Bobby Petta. If ud read his interview on eadt youd have seen that his mother was diagnosed with cancer last season and has only just been given the all clear. So taking into account he couldbt just go and see her every day due to the distance between them, font you think his mind may not be totally right. Also, as he said, withvthings not going well in general on the pitch and the fact he was taking too much on himself, I believe he had reasons for his poor form. Certainly dont think he can afford to make too many errors this season tho, or captain or not, he should be dropped if he does

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DebsyAngel added 19:19 - Aug 10 Enjoyed the first half, and was nice to actually go (I have had a lot of health problems and my anxiety is terrible atm) and felt ok. 2nd half was ruined for me - told to move by a steward as some man never seen there before didn;t think I had a season ticket, as I sat with my friend for the first half. I have a ticket and been a holder since 2000, and felt totally humiliated,. I was being no trouble, just quietly watching the game and occasionally chatting to my friend. And the child who was with him was not over 12 so how is he allowed to get away with that? Part of the matchday experience for me is socialising with the few I speak to, but feel out of my comfort zone. He had no idea how much damage he has done to me today. And it looks like he is there for the season. Sorry if its off topic but could not get into the second half. Garbutt , Skuse and Rowe were my standouts.

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Bildestoned added 19:20 - Aug 10 The equaliser was right in front of me. I think Holy could have cleared it too tbh. But that first half display? There'll be several teams in this league who will not be able to live with us. See you at Peterborough!
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runningout added 19:40 - Aug 10 Luton next !!
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blue added 19:42 - Aug 10 Well played today which is a positive , should of put to bed today outplayed the cats only 1 negative no comment at least 4 points in already 2 games played better than we might of imagined , looking forward to season ahead already :)
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Marinersnose added 19:59 - Aug 10 Blue you make a very valid point regarding Chambers and his mother's tragic illness. This would be a difficult situation for any human being to deal with. Surely the issue is that Chambers should have been rested in order that he could provide valuable support to his mother and secondly take away the additional strain and stress of playing for his team. He has let his team and fans down possibly through no fault of his own. Man management skills lacking somewhere.

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Lightningboy added 20:02 - Aug 10 Fantastic turn out today 👏🏻 Bit of a scrappy game & we never really created any clear cut chances - fair to say we never looked like conceding until the mistake at the back either. 4 points from 2 difficult opening games is ok but we need a couple of additions to the team as the bench offers little goal threat.
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Lightningboy added 20:08 - Aug 10 Just like to add thought the ref was appalling - almost as bad as Keith Stroud - where do they find these clowns?
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LonE17Blue added 20:15 - Aug 10 Blame the owner, we shouldn't even be commenting on a game with Ipswich in the 3rd Division. He got us in this mess, and has chosen to keep us in a mess. He could get us out of this mess but has chosen let us rot. Advertised on the Forbes list showing off his wealth, but treats Ipswich and the club as Paupers. But hay ho, how is it percentage of supporters seem accept our lowliness and hail our so called saviour.

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StowTractorBoy added 20:30 - Aug 10 Definitely 2 points dropped today as Sunderland were a very ordinary outfit and should have been buried in the first half. Unfortunately as so often with Ipswich Town we let the opposition off the hook and give away a dreadful goal. Enough has been said about the error strewn Chambers but had we been more clinical in front of goal in the first half Sunderland would have been out of site. Plusses for me were Garbutt and Downes and negatives were Judge who could not take a decent free kick today to save his life. If the back four is not sorted in this transfer window all the good work attack wise will go to waste. Rowe had a decent first half but ran out of steam hence little threat from the flanks in the second half. Jackson worked hard but lacks finesse that will hopefully come and Norwood will only improve with games at this level. Much to be pleased about in the first half but defensive frailties in general must be addressed quickly otherwise it could be a frustrating season. Finally brilliant atmosphere at Portman Road today just hope it will continue.

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Hegansheroes added 20:40 - Aug 10 Great first half and a very deserved lead. Great attendance & a lot of noise. Thought it was a penalty when Jackson went down so, a very strange decision as were many. Unfortunately Captain Calaamity did it yet again, he's too much of a liability now. This was a game against apparently one of the favourites and we dominated them for most of the game. They only had one shot on target courtesy of Chambers & unfortunately scored. Judge's passing & cornerswere a bit wayward. , some very good performances, Woolfedon impressed & I thought Donacien had a great game at RB. Overall things look good especially as we have players to come back but we need to put Chambers on the bench or out to grass.

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milliem added 20:40 - Aug 10 @prebsa an all your other user names 4-1 ya Budgie loser suck on that! I got myself a season ticket to watch the Town, for the first time in over twenty years, and I really enjoyed it today. Town should have won it, no question about it, and they would have done if it wasn't for Chambers' schoolboy error but hey ho. Luke had played excellently up to that point and must be feeling very upset tonight. The fierce, swirling wind made life difficult for both sides (as well as the referee and his assistants) especially in the first half but Town used it to much better advantage than Sunderland and scored one and, in my opinion, the challenge on Jackson should have resulted in a penalty. Having said that I thought that a stricter referee could have given a penalty against Kenlock when their wide man ( maybe O'Nien) knocked the ball round him and ran the other side and Myles pulled him back. The second half was much more even but, apart from Chambers' dreadful error Sunderland never really looked like scoring. I have to say that the singing from the North Stand, upper and lower, was brilliant and in the second half absolutely electrifying and even behind me in the Portman Stand people were joining in. My season ticket is costing me less than £14 per game but you can't buy that level of atmosphere.

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sixtyblue added 20:43 - Aug 10 Just makes you wonder why Chambers was given anew two year contract after his performances the last eighteen months.Marcus and co plead there is no money for new players and then gives Chambers anew contract at thirty three.The manager has to drop him to the bench as when he makes these mistakes he instantly blames the young players nearest to him.
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RRanger added 20:53 - Aug 10 PhilTWTD. I think you ought to look long and hard at RobsonWark's libellous post and he better hope that Chambers doesn't read it.
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