Jack Clarke stars as Ipswich send Frank Lampard’s Coventry packing in FA Cup

It was more than the changed kit and the changed lineup that brought this change of result for Ipswich: up against decent Championship opposition, even Kieran McKenna’s second string would most likely be amongst the best teams outside the Premier League.

Jack Clarke again scored twice as Ipswich, after four straight top-flight defeats since the third-round three-goal victory over Bristol Rovers, reached the last 16 of the FA Cup for the first time since 2007.

Coventry, last season’s semi-finalists, also changed their kit for charity, to navy blue, but the Sky Blues can now refocus on their push for the playoffs that has become a realistic target since Frank Lampard’s arrival.

This was Ipswich’s biggest win since they beat Sheffield Wednesday 6-0 last March, back in the days when winning promotion to the Premier League was the biggest dream on their horizon. Now it is all about retaining that status although McKenna can evidently trust his second string on this evidence, even in all pink, for cup duties.

It was around this time last year that these teams each played Maidstone United, in successive rounds of the Cup, alongside the day job of pursuing a place in the Premier League. While Ipswich were humiliated by the non-leaguers but gained promotion, Coventry knocked Maidstone out in the next round and went all the way to Wembley where they memorably came back from 3-0 down to take Manchester United to extra-time and a disallowed winner.

But their league form dropped off coming into this season so much that Mark Robins, a legendary figure in these parts for leading the club from League Two to within a Wembley penalty shootout of the top flight in 2023, left in November. What price cup glory?

Kieran McKenna made Ipswich’s priorities all too clear with his team selection for this fourth-round tie and yet, with his second string 3-1 up by half-time, it is they who progress to the last 16 when they could in all truth probably do without the distraction as they attempt to retain their top-flight status.

Coventry, who had won four successive league games to move within three points of the playoffs, before the harsh reality check of defeats here this week to Leeds, Championship leaders, and now Ipswich.

Ipswich’s Jack Taylor (left) and Coventry’s Josh Eccles vie for the ball. Photograph: Chris Radburn/Reuters

It did not help that Coventry conceded a penalty after 20 seconds. Sammie Szmodics, briefly back from injury, was bundled over by Liam Kitching before the teams had had a chance to get their one-off charity kits sweaty. George Hirst converted from the spot.

Joel Latibeaudiere headed the home side level from Jack Rudoni’s corner but Ipswich, notwithstanding the 11 changes to the side who lost at home to Southampton last Saturday, always looked that bit sharper.

Clarke took over scoring duties for Ipswich. First the former Sunderland winger cut back inside and swerved his shot home from the edge of the penalty area low into the far corner. Then, shortly before half-time, he took a composed touch to receive Nathan Broadhead’s square pass, after a defensive mixup, and slotted past Oliver Dovin to make the game all but safe.

Coventry came out for the second half with fire in their bellies and Alex Palmer, the goalkeeper making his Ipswich debut after signing from West Brom for £2million last week, dived to tip Tatsuhiro Sakamoto’s shot round the post.

Midway through the second half, Jaden Philogene bagged his first Ipswich goal as he prodded home at the far post following Clarke’s intelligent low cross. So Ipswich can sheepishly claim the cup glory, albeit with their first team rested up for next Saturday’s crucial Premier League game with Tottenham, while Coventry must pick themselves up for this week’s league games with QPR and Wednesday. The promised land of a top-flight relegation battle this time next year is still within their sights.