Chelsea stumble again in Champions League hunt with 2-2 draw against Ipswich

LONDON :Chelsea were held to a 2-2 draw at home against relegation-bound Ipswich Town on Sunday, leaving the Blues looking over their shoulders in the race for a lucrative spot in next season's Champions League.

The visitors stunned Enzo Maresca's men when they stormed into a 2-0 lead with just over half an hour on the clock, despite being pinned in their half for the early stages.

Ipswich's Paraguayan striker Julio Enciso nipped in between Chelsea's defenders to steer home a cross by right back Ben Johnson in the 19th minute.

Twelve minutes later, Enciso repaid the favour, crossing for Johnson to head home. Chelsea struggled to revive their momentum, prompting loud boos from the home supporters at the halftime whistle.

An own goal by Axel Tuanzebe immediately after halftime gave Chelsea hope and substitute Jadon Sancho curled a shot into the top corner in the 79th minute to set up a frantic finale when both sides came close to snatching a winner.

Ipswich goalkeeper Alex Palmer saved a Trevoh Chalobah effort at point-blank range in the 85th minute before denying Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer in time added on.

The draw pushed Chelsea into the last of the five Champions League spots but they are only one point ahead of Newcastle United who were playing Manchester United later on Sunday and have a further game in hand.

Chelsea had won their previous five home league games but have not won away since December, a run which included a shock 2-0 defeat to Ipswich at their Portman Road stadium.

The Londoners now face tougher opposition - including Liverpool and Newcastle United - in their final six games of the season.

Maresca rued defensive mistakes for both of Ipswich's goals and his side's failure to turn their early dominance -