It's taken a while, but Brighton seem to be learning how to manage games in the Premier League.
Brighton soaked up pressure in the first half and perhaps even looked a bit ponderous going forward as Joao Pedro, Simon Adingra and Kaoru Mitoma remained on the fringes. Ipswich were more adventurous and Bart Verbruggen had to be sharp to keep out three low long-range efforts from Nathan Broadhead, Liam Delap and Omari Hutchinson.
Joel Veltman's "game management" was at it's peak to see Delap booked and Pedro was a touch fortunate to only see yellow after clattering into former Brighton goalkeeper Christian Walton.
Brighton's moment arrived on 59 minutes as Yasin Ayari's clever ball into the box found Matt O'Riley and the former Celtic man teed-up Mitoma to side-foot a low effort through the grasp of Walton - perhaps still groggy from Pedro's flying challenge.
Walton then saved well to keep out Pedro's shot on the turn but Georginio Rutter, on as a second half substitute for O’Riley, skilfully toe-poked home a second after a scruffy free-kick into the box. His strike was eventually confirmed after a long VAR check. It was Rutter’s third in two matches following his brace in the 4-0 FA Cup win at Norwich last Saturday. The Seagulls have enjoyed their recent trips to East Anglia and they managed the remaining minutes at Portman Road for their first Premier League win in eight.
Here’s how they rated...
5. Adam Webster - 7
The captain for the day looks back to his best. One superbly timed tackle on the dangerous Hutchinson on 27 minutes was a particular highlight. Solid performance and replaced by Dunk on the hour. Photo: Justin Setterfield
6. IPSWICH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: Omari Hutchinson of Ipswich Town runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Pervis Estupinan of Brighton & Hove Albion during the Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Portman Road on January 16, 2025 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Very sound defensively and always looked to support Mitoma on the left. Impressive first half and maintained his concentration until the end, something that’s not always been the case in the past. Photo: Justin Setterfield
7. Yasin Ayari - 7
The 12th start of an impressive season for the Sweden international. Outstanding work rate against Kalvin Phillips and difficult to see this Brighton midfield without Ayari. Replaced by Moder late on. Photo: Mike Hewitt
8. Carlos Baleba - 7
Another disciplined display from the former Lille man. Glenn Murray said prior to the match he's better than Yves Bissouma and Moises Caidedo... and on current form it's hard to argue with that. Photo: Charlie Crowhurst