Ghanaian winger Abdul Fatawu marked his first appearance in the Premier League with a promising outing as Ipswich Town opened their campaign with a 2-1 triumph over Sunderland at Portman Road.
The 22-year-old was handed a starting berth by Ipswich boss and remained on the pitch for 66 minutes before making way as the hosts pushed on to claim maximum points.
Fatawu, who arrived from Leicester City on July 21, 2026, committed his future to Ipswich on a five-year contract in a transfer reportedly worth an initial £20 million.
Despite being substituted before the final whistle, the Ghana international showed flashes of his attacking quality, completing all three of his attempted dribbles while creating one big chance and registering two key passes.
Ipswich broke the deadlock in the 24th minute after Julio Enciso pounced on a loose pass and quickly teed up fellow new arrival Emerson, who calmly finished from close range.
Sunderland responded six minutes before the interval, with Nilson Angulo producing a superb curling free-kick to restore parity.
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The contest appeared destined for a share of the spoils until the 90th minute, when former Sunderland winger Jack Clarke delivered the decisive blow, sending a low strike into the far corner to seal a dramatic victory for Ipswich.
The result provides Ipswich with an ideal start to their return to England’s top flight, having secured promotion after finishing second in the Championship last season.
For Fatawu, meanwhile, his competitive Premier League bow offered an encouraging glimpse of what he could bring to Ipswich’s attack throughout the campaign.
