Kieran McKenna Slams Two Game-Changing Decisions That Benefited Leicester City in Late Draw
In a night that left Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna seething, his team’s thrilling showdown with Leicester City at the King Power Stadium ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw. The match, which saw Ipswich hold a surprising advantage for much of the game, was ultimately marred by two contentious decisions that McKenna believes cost his side a deserved victory. The Ipswich boss didn’t hold back post-match, questioning the officiating and the decisions that, in his view, swung the game in favor of Leicester.
A Game of Momentum and High Stakes
From the first whistle, it was clear that both Ipswich and Leicester were treating this as more than just another league fixture. For Ipswich, fresh from promotion and eager to make their mark, a match against Leicester offered a golden opportunity to showcase their quality. For Leicester, it was a chance to prove their resilience in a tough season and push toward the top of the table. The game had it all—intensity, tension, and plenty of drama on and off the pitch.
Ipswich took the lead early, catching Leicester off-guard with an aggressive pressing style that forced errors and allowed them to exploit gaps in the Foxes’ backline. However, it was the events in the final quarter of the match that stole the headlines, as two controversial decisions took the game’s outcome out of Ipswich’s control and handed Leicester a lifeline.
The First Controversial Call: A Disallowed Goal
The first major incident came in the 75th minute when Ipswich’s forward Nathan Broadhead appeared to have scored what would have been the team’s third goal of the night. After a sharp break down the right flank, the ball was crossed into the box and found Broadhead, who calmly slotted it past Leicester’s keeper with apparent ease. However, just as Ipswich fans began celebrating, the referee blew his whistle, signaling that the goal would not stand.
According to the officials, Broadhead was deemed to be in an offside position, though replays suggested the decision was extremely tight. With Broadhead seemingly level with the last defender, Ipswich were denied a potential game-sealing goal that could have put the contest to bed. McKenna, visibly frustrated on the touchline, argued that VAR would have allowed the goal had it been available at this level, calling the offside decision “unjust” and “a disservice to the hard work the players put in all match.”
“This was a crucial moment in the game,” McKenna said after the final whistle. “Nathan made the perfect run, timed it well, and should’ve been rewarded. It’s tough for the lads to accept, especially when decisions like these change the course of the game. Without VAR, we’re left at the mercy of calls that sometimes simply don’t go our way.”
Penalty Controversy: A Gift to Leicester?
The second pivotal decision came just five minutes before full time when Leicester was awarded a penalty, leveling the score and salvaging a point they may not have otherwise secured. The penalty call, which McKenna described as “incomprehensible,” occurred after a tussle in the Ipswich box involving Leicester forward Kelechi Iheanacho and Ipswich defender George Edmundson.
Iheanacho appeared to go down rather easily, and while the referee immediately pointed to the spot, Ipswich players surrounded the official in protest, convinced that there had been minimal contact. Replays suggested that Iheanacho may have exaggerated the fall, adding to Ipswich’s frustration. Leicester’s James Maddison converted the penalty confidently, bringing the match level and killing Ipswich’s momentum.
McKenna didn’t hold back in his post-match comments on the incident, stating, “It was a soft decision, no doubt. There wasn’t enough contact to justify a penalty. When you’re in control of the game, and a decision like that is made, it feels as if all your hard work is undone. It’s difficult to take, especially given how much we limited Leicester throughout the match.”
The Aftermath: Frustration and a Call for Accountability
For McKenna, the two contentious calls weren’t just a matter of disappointment; they were emblematic of what he perceives as inconsistencies in refereeing that have plagued teams throughout the season. He emphasized that Ipswich deserved more from the game and pointed to the officials’ decisions as factors that deprived his side of the victory.
“The officiating has to be consistent,” McKenna urged. “We put in all this effort, play our hearts out, only to be let down by decisions that don’t go our way. The rules need to be clear, and we need officials who can uphold them fairly. As a manager, it’s my responsibility to speak up when I feel my team has been wronged. Tonight, I truly believe we were.”
Leicester, on the other hand, celebrated their comeback, though even some of their players admitted that Ipswich had outplayed them for large portions of the game. Speaking to the press, Maddison acknowledged the intensity Ipswich brought, saying, “Ipswich made us work for every inch. They’re a quality side, and honestly, we were fortunate with a few calls tonight. But in football, sometimes you have to take those breaks.”
A Potential Turning Point for Ipswich?
While the draw left Ipswich players and fans with mixed emotions, it could mark a turning point for the newly-promoted club. They’ve now proven they can go toe-to-toe with more experienced Championship sides and have the grit to hold their own under pressure. Despite the result, McKenna’s men left Leicester with their heads held high, and there’s little doubt this performance will serve as a confidence booster in their season-long campaign to secure a strong league finish.
For the fans, McKenna’s defiance in the face of controversy has only strengthened their support for the manager. Many took to social media to voice their frustration with the officiating but also to praise the Ipswich team’s resilience. “This team never stops fighting,” wrote one fan. “We’re showing we belong at this level, and with a bit of luck, we’ll start getting the results we deserve.”
Looking Ahead
As Ipswich prepares for their next fixture, McKenna has pledged to channel his players’ frustration into their performance. “We’ve got to move forward,” he concluded. “Tonight showed what we’re capable of, and we’re not about to let one draw define us. We’ll regroup, we’ll keep fighting, and we’ll get the results we deserve.”
In a game where Ipswich were denied by two decisions they could hardly control, McKenna’s message to his players and fans is clear: the team’s fighting spirit and commitment to excellence will only grow stronger. And while this match may have ended in a draw, Ipswich Town have made it clear they are a force to be reckoned with this season.