Action from Ipswich Town’s 2-0 defeat to Fulham

Town manager Mick McCarthy pictured during the Ipswich Town v Fulham (Sky Bet Championship) match. Picture: STEVE WALLER WWW.STEPHENWALLER.COM (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)

It was almost a step too far against a classy Fulham side that should be challenging for automatic promotion this season.

The Blues didn’t help themselves, looking sluggish at times, and afforded Ryan Sessegnon and Sheyi Ojo the freedom of their particular flanks during the first half, the Cottagers mounting attack after attack.

The game was killed off as a contest after Rui Fonte’s goal, Fulham’s second, six minutes after the break, the visitors content to pass the ball round with arrogance at times, Kevin McDonald, Stephan Johansen and the mercurial Tom Cairney bossing proceedings.

Still, it’s been a good month for Town, and few fans would have predicted they would have taken 12 points from a possible 15 in the first month of the season.

Jonas Knudsen on the ball during the Ipswich Town v Fulham (Sky Bet Championship) match at Portman Road, Ipswich, on 26 August 2017. Picture: STEVE WALLER WWW.STEPHENWALLER.COM (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)

The international break is upon them now and that should give a number of Town’s walking wounded a chance to get fit, although the news that Emyr Huws is likely to need an operation on his Achilles is a big blow.

Bartosz Bialkowski makes a late save. Picture: STEVE WALLER WWW.STEPHENWALLER.COM (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)

Martyn Waghorn about to take a corner in the first half of the Ipswich Town v Fulham match. Picture: STEVE WALLER WWW.STEPHENWALLER.COM (Image: � Copyright Stephen Waller)

Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic pictured during the Ipswich Town v Fulham (Sky Bet Championship) match. Picture: STEVE WALLER WWW.STEPHENWALLER.COM (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)

Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic pictured during the Ipswich Town v Fulham (Sky Bet Championship) match. Picture: STEVE WALLER WWW.STEPHENWALLER.COM (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)

Joe Garner hangs onto Fulham's Ryan Fredericks during the Ipswich Town v Fulham match. Picture: STEVE WALLER WWW.STEPHENWALLER.COM (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)

This Martyn Waghorn shoots on 15 minutes in the Ipswich Town v Fulham (Sky Bet Championship) match.. Picture: STEVE WALLER WWW.STEPHENWALLER.COM (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)

Neeskens Kebano celebrates after scoring to give the visitors a 1-0 lead in the Ipswich Town v Fulham (Sky Bet Championship) match. Picture: STEVE WALLER WWW.STEPHENWALLER.COM (Image: � Copyright Stephen Waller)

An animated Town manager Mick McCarthy on the touchline during the first half of the Ipswich Town v Fulham (Sky Bet Championship) match. Picture: STEVE WALLER WWW.STEPHENWALLER.COM (Image: � Copyright Stephen Waller)

Neeskens Kebano celebrates after scoring to give the visitors a 1-0 lead in the Ipswich Town v Fulham (Sky Bet Championship) match. Picture: STEVE WALLER WWW.STEPHENWALLER.COM (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)

An animated Town manager Mick McCarthy on the touchline during the first half of the Ipswich Town v Fulham match.. Picture: STEVE WALLER WWW.STEPHENWALLER.COM (Image: � Copyright Stephen Waller)

This Martyn Waghorn shoots on 15 minutes in the Ipswich Town v Fulham (Sky Bet Championship) match.. Picture: STEVE WALLER WWW.STEPHENWALLER.COM (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)

Neeskens Kebano celebrates after scoring to give the visitors a 1-0 lead in the Ipswich Town v Fulham (Sky Bet Championship) match.. Picture: STEVE WALLER WWW.STEPHENWALLER.COM (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)