Kieran McKenna has hailed Ipswich Town’s first win of the season as a “massive, significant moment” after they triumphed 2-1 at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
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First-half goals from Sam Szmodics and Liam Delap were enough to secure a maiden victory since promotion and move Ipswich out of the bottom three.
"It's a massive, significant moment. A day to cherish in the recent history,” McKenna told Sky Sports.
"The journey the club has been on - the highs and the depths. For the fans to see their club in the Premier League and win in a stadium like this is a massive day. Where the club was two years ago to now competing in the Premier League. A significant landmark."
Ipswich’s victory is their first in the Premier League for 22 years, giving them the second-longest gap between two wins in the competition, after Nottingham Forest.
Longest gap between wins in PL
| Team | First win | Second win | Gap (days) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nottingham Forest | 16/05/99 | 14/08/22 | 8,491 |
| Ipswich | 24/04/02 | 10/11/24 | 8,236 |
| Leeds | 10/04/02 | 19/09/20 | 6,006 |
| QPR | 27/04/96 | 20/08/11 | 5,593 |
| Sheff Utd | 30/04/96 | 30/09/06 | 4,536 |
The win also carried great personal significance for McKenna, who was forced to retire early at the age of 22 due to a hip injury, meaning he never made an appearance for Spurs’ first team, although he would later move into a coaching role at the club.
"I came to this club as a 14-year-old, leaving home in Ireland, and I never went back,” McKenna said.
"I didn’t get a feeling that it would be because I played here. It's nice to do it here, a club I've got great affinity for, no doubt about that. My father was in the crowd. Lots of people will be very, very proud.”
'Fix my approach'
For Spurs, it is back-to-back defeats following their UEFA Europa League loss at Galatasaray, while it is the fifth time in 11 Premier League matches they have been beaten this season, leaving them 10th in the table.
Speaking after their latest setback, head coach Ange Postecoglou took responsibility for Spurs' inconsistent campaign to date.
“That’s down to me, that’s my responsibility," Postecoglou said.
"The inconsistency we’re having this year ultimately comes down to me and my approach and something I need to try and fix and see if I can help the players in that area."