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It was the Jaden Philogene show at Portman Road in Ipswich Town’s win against Sheffield United, as Ruben Selles faces an inquest after one shocking tactical decision.
Ipswich Town have managed their first win of the 2025/26 Championship campaign, and they did so in emphatic fashion after smashing a deflated Sheffield United side 5-0.
The Tractor Boys took the lead through Jaden Philogene, who was phenomenal, scoring a further two goals to claim his first career hat-trick.
George Hirst also found the back of the net in the second half, as did substitute Jack Clarke, putting further pressure on Sheffield United, who are still pointless under Ruben Selles.
It was always set to be a difficult contest for Sheffield United, but the manner in which they fell to defeat will surely raise questions for Selles.
Following the game, here are five things you may have missed from the contest…
Jaden Philogene could return to his Hull City heights
It has been a challenging start to the season for Jaden Philogene at Ipswich Town, having struggled to show a prolific edge in front of goal.
However, the young winger looked to be up for it straight from kick-off, and it was inevitable from that point onwards that he would spark issues for Sheffield United.
After he picked up the ball on the left flank, he showed incredible ability to shift it onto his right and lash it past Michael Cooper, who was solid in between the sticks last season.
His second was a carbon copy finish as well, once again doing brilliantly after cutting in on his right foot.
Aside from his three goals, he showed more confidence when spraying around passes, often cutting inside to look for other options in the final third.
Philogene has struggled to string consistent form together since his electric 2023/24 season at Hull City, but hopefully, this performance against the Blades will kick-start his campaign.
Sheffield United missed Gus Hamer
When Sheffield United’s team news broke, it was a major surprise to see Gus Hamer taking up a spot on the bench.
Whether it was tactical, which would raise serious questions of Ruben Selles, or due to fitness concerns for the midfielder, it was clear that his absence was felt across the pitch.
It has been the tale of this season so far, but Sheffield United continued to lack a cutting edge in the final third without Hamer.
Alex Matos was brought in, with Callum O’Hare being moved further forward, but neither of the pair could understandably replicate the talents of Hamer, making Sheffield United, once again, one-dimensional.
Leif Davis caused the Blades terror
We have become accustomed to seeing Leif Davis offer a brilliant threat down the left wing, while also showing competence on the defensive side. This contest was no different.
Having linked up brilliantly with Jaden Philogene, Davis was able to create space on the left, where he could send in an inviting ball to the Ipswich Town attackers.
Before Philogene gave the Tractor Boys a deserved lead, they should have found themselves ahead after Davies’ ball evaded the Sheffield United defence, but neither George Hirst nor Chuba Akpom could get on the end of it.
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Tom Cannon is still yet to justify his price tag
In January 2025. Sheffield United signed Tom Cannon from Leicester City for £10m after his bright start to the season on loan at Stoke City.
However, with one Championship goal in 20 games, it is clear that he continues to show very little threat for Sheffield United.
It was a surprise decision for Ruben Selles to turn towards Cannon ahead of Tyrese Campbell, and it turned out to be the wrong call from the Spaniard.
The Sheffield United striker is shot of confidence right now, and sums up the woes that the Blades have faced up until this early stage of the season.
George Hirst will be relieved to bag another goal
While George Hirst found the net in the opening game of the season to help Ipswich Town to a respectable point against Birmingham City, he had been unable to show a good level of quality in front of goal.
The departure of Liam Delap this summer meant that Hirst would have to provide the threat that the now-Chelsea striker managed, and that proved to be a more difficult challenge than initially expected.
Thankfully, Hirst’s second-half performance put those doubts to rest, having converted from a tight angle to give Ipswich Town a three-goal advantage, albeit with help from Sheffield United goalkeeper Michael Cooper, who should have done far more to stop the effort.
Even his disallowed goal from a tight offside saw him unleash a brilliant finish to Cooper’s bottom right.