Jack Clarke Shines for Ipswich in Premier League Return

Ipswich Town have thrown more than £100m at reshaping their squad this summer. On opening day, it was the one man left out of the starting XI who delivered the decisive touch.

Jack Clarke, a £20m signing from Sunderland two years ago, began the Tractor Boys’ Premier League return on the bench as new boss Gary O'Neil took charge of his first competitive game since replacing Kieran McKenna in the summer. Seven new signings started. Clarke watched.

Ipswich, relegated after just one season in the top flight two campaigns ago, have not been shy this time. O’Neil leaned straight into the new era, unleashing his recruits from the first whistle.

Among them, Julio Enciso shone brightest. Signed from Strasbourg for an undisclosed fee, the forward played like a man intent on owning the afternoon. He punished Luke O'Nien’s slack pass, pouncing on the interception and driving at Dan Ballard before carving out Town’s opener with a sharp, slaloming run that lit up the stadium.

Enciso’s work set the tone. His energy and directness gave Ipswich a cutting edge, his debut performance underlining exactly why the club moved for him in the window.

On 71 minutes, his shift was done. O’Neil turned to Clarke.

What followed justified every pound of that £20m fee. With the game in the balance, Sunderland tried to play out, but Omar Alderete saw his pass picked off. Clarke seized on the mistake, producing the moment of quality that settled the contest and underlined Ipswich’s new-found depth.

One big signing had made the breakthrough. Another finished the job.

Next up for O’Neil’s side is a different kind of test: a Carabao Cup tie at home to League One Leicester City on Tuesday night (19:45 BST). After this start, and with this bench, who dares take that lightly?