Kieran McKenna believes Ipswich Town can take "so many positives" from their 2-2 draw against Aston Villa.
The Tractor Boys, who are back in the Premier League after 22 years away, extended their unbeaten league streak to four matches, after Liam Delap's strike secured a share of the spoils at Portman Road.
Delap had given Ipswich an eighth-minute lead, but goals from Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins saw Villa turn the match on its head just after the half-hour mark.
Nevertheless, the hosts dug deep with Delap levelling in the 72nd minute to secure their fourth successive draw, which moves them out of the relegation zone to 15th place.
And McKenna was thrilled with the character his players demonstrated.
"I think we created the better chances in the game, but when you come back from 2-1 down, a point is a good result," he said. "The team, at 2-1 down, never dropped their heads, and we were always competitive in the game.
"I thought the game had a really good flow to it with two good sides. To be competing with a team who have been together for three years with a top manager, I think there are so many positives to take for us.
"Four games unbeaten doesn't come easily in the Premier League. It is a fantastic first step, and we still feel there is a lot of improvement to come."
Villa missed the chance to move level on points with leaders Liverpool and, though disappointed with the result, Unai Emery acknowledged it was an accurate reflection on the balance of play.
"We controlled the first half better than the second half," he said. "We started the first half very well; we came back, and we controlled the game really well. But in the second half, they were pushing.
"We had our chances, but we conceded more than normal, and we didn't control things like we did in the first half. I am not happy with the point, but I have to accept it because I think it is fair."
"They always put a lot of pressure on us, and we couldn't really implement our game plan," Watkins added. "We didn't get it right in the final third. We could have been more ruthless - myself included.
"They kept putting pressure on us. They're here at home; they made runs in behind and we grinded the result out in the end."
Postecoglou lauds 'outstanding' Tottenham after statement win
Ange Postecoglou has hailed his "outstanding" Tottenham side after their dominant 3-0 victory over 10-man Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Spurs took the lead after three minutes through Brennan Johnson and gained a numerical advantage just before the break as Bruno Fernandes was sent off for a high tackle on James Maddison.
Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke secured the three points in the second half, as they had 24 shots (10 on target) and created 4.67 expected goals (xG).
They also created nine big chances, the joint-most ever recorded in a Premier League match, as they extended their unbeaten run over United to four games in the competition.
Postecoglou was impressed with his team's performance across the 90 minutes, particularly with their fast start.
"I thought it was an outstanding performance," Postecoglou told BBC Match of the Day. "We started the game well, scored a great goal and probably should have had two or three.
"The pressure then overwhelms them, and they get the red card. After that, I thought we controlled the game well. Just an outstanding effort from all the lads.
"I don't know about frustrated [about not getting more goals], but I am only human. More for the players themselves. We played some unbelievable football, and you want them to get the rewards.
"Every game you always want to start well, but it doesn't always happen. I told the boys that in the last two games, we conceded in the first 20 seconds against Brentford and then had a man sent off in the first eight minutes, so it is about dealing with what you have out there.
"That is our fourth win in a row, and we have won them in different ways, but always stayed true to our principals and the way we want to play football."
Johnson also struck the post in the first half and got the assist for Kulusevski's strike just two minutes into the second.
He has now scored in consecutive Premier League appearances for the first time in his career (79th app on Sunday), while he has netted four times across all competitions this season – just one fewer than he managed in 34 games for Tottenham last term (five).
"Yes, that [starting fast] is what we do, it is what the manager talks about all the time," Johnson said.
"We are not a team that takes 10-15 minutes to get into a game because that's not the way we play. From minute one we have to be at the opponent so that they know they are in a game, and it just brings out the best in us.
"If we can get a game with good intensity, it suits us so much, and if we can score early on then even better because it means teams have to open up a bit.
"[Winning four in a row] is a sign of intent from us. I think, whatever competition it is important to get the wins.
"We came here with a clear game plan but at the end of the day, we had to win. We can play as well as we can, but if we don't come away with the win, then it's all for nothing - we have learned that a few times this season, so to win and get a clean sheet, it's a great day."
'Indisciplined' Man Utd never recovered from early setback in Tottenham defeat, says Ten Hag
Erik ten Hag acknowledged that "indisciplined" Manchester United never recovered from a "very bad start" during their defeat by Tottenham.
The Red Devils suffered their third Premier League loss of the season, as Spurs ran out commanding 3-0 winners at Old Trafford.
United fell behind after just three minutes when Micky van de Ven ran almost the length of the field before crossing for Brennan Johnson to tap home, while Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke sealed Tottenham's victory in the second half.
And Ten Hag believes his players were deeply impacted by their early setback.
"A very bad start from us. To concede a goal after two or three minutes like that, did something to our belief," he told BBC Match of the Day.
"It was totally unnecessary to concede a goal like this, the [opposing] centre-half stepping in and passing the whole team over the right side, and then the winger tapping in at the far post.
"From that moment on, we were stressed on the ball. We were indisciplined. We could not find the triangles or the switches. We had some good moments, but from that moment, we could not get a foothold.
"We can do better than that. First, we have to deal with this and show resilience. This is not good enough."
United played over half of the game with 10 men following Bruno Fernandes' 42nd-minute red card for a high challenge on James Maddison.
Ten Hag feels the dismissal was harsh, but is confident his players can bounce back from their latest defeat.
"We had chances to come back, and then the red card changed the game," he added. "I don't think it was a red card. It was only 1-0; we could have made a comeback, and it had a big impact on the game.
"There is always a new day, and we will learn from it. My players are strong characters and we will bounce back. We have to learn from this and quickly."
Jamaica Football Federation supports referees' strike over safety concerns in DaCosta and Manning Cup competitions
The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) has announced its full support for the referees who took strike action over the weekend, leading to the cancellation of all DaCosta Cup and Manning Cup schoolboy football matches. The referees' strike, which stemmed from safety concerns, has prompted the JFF to back their decision not to officiate until their safety can be guaranteed.
In a statement released on Sunday, the JFF emphasized the importance of referees in football development and stressed the need for their safety while performing their duties.
"The Jamaica Football Federation stands in solidarity and empathizes with the referees in the ongoing 2024 season of ISSA Schoolboy Football. The referees should feel safe when performing their duties, and their decisions on the field should be respected," said JFF General Secretary Dennis Chung.
"The referees are an integral part of football development, and they should not feel threatened in any way when performing their duties. The JFF supports the decision for them not to participate in any ISSA Schoolboy Football matches until they can be assured of their safety. Any further incidents will have more consequential action," Chung added.
The JFF also commended the Jamaica Football Referees Association (JFRA) for their work in ensuring the professionalism and integrity of referees across the country and extended well wishes for their upcoming assignments.
The strike action by referees was triggered by two recent incidents in the DaCosta Cup competition. In one case, a referee was allegedly physically assaulted by a Dinthill Technical player after a match against McGrath High, leading to disciplinary action by ISSA. Two Dinthill players, Maalick Whyte and Shamair Hutchinson, have been banned from participating in ISSA competitions for one year, while Tyrese Gowe received a three-match suspension. The school has been placed on a three-year probation.
In a separate incident, assistant referee Richard Ball was allegedly struck by a missile thrown by a spectator during a Zone A DaCosta Cup match between Maldon High and Cornwall College on September 14.
The referees' strike prompted ISSA to engage in discussions with the JFRA in hopes of reaching an agreement. While games over the weekend were canceled, referees are set to resume duties on Monday, September 30. ISSA has committed to addressing the referees' concerns related to safety and security at matches and reviewing penalties for those who verbally or physically abuse match officials.
"We are disappointed that a conciliatory position could not have been arrived at that would allow today’s games to be played, but look forward to a quick and smooth resumption on Monday, September 30, 2024," ISSA said in a statement.
As matches are set to resume, ISSA and the JFF will work together to ensure the safety and well-being of referees, players, and spectators as the schoolboy football season continues.
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