At Portman Road in Ipswich on September 26, 2023, Ipswich Town’s Freddie Ladapo celebrates scoring his team’s second goal of the game.

Asif Burhan’s Ipswich Town defeated Wolves 3-2 at Portman Road.

The League Cup victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday, according to IPSWICH TOWN manager Kieran McKenna, was “a really important signpost in the development of the team.

Ipswich Town, the league leaders in the Championship, defeated a Premier League team for the first time in 13 seasons after a thrilling comeback from a two-goal deficit at an electrifying Portman Road.

Both teams made 10 substitutions, but it was Hwang Hee Chan from Wolves who scored the game-winning goal in the fourth minute after the Tractor Boys failed to clear a long crossfield pass from the right.

Wolves appeared to have put the tie beyond the Championship team only 11 minutes later.

Toti Gomes jumped to volley the ball over the goal line after Hladky was unable to stop debutant Santiago Bueno’s strong close-range header from a left-wing corner.

Omari Hutchinson, a Chelsea loanee, attempted to get Suffolk back into the game in the 12th minute with a deft move that resulted in a foul just beyond the penalty area.

A defense-splitting through-pass from Marcus Harness allowed the vivacious forward to beat Bentley at the near post, bringing Ipswich back into the match.

Harness again swiveled to divide the Wolves backline nine minutes before halftime, and Freddie Ladapo blasted past Bentley.

Harness broke loose down the right early in the second quarter, forcing Bentley to make a full-length stop.

Ipswich, however, would not be deterred for long; following a protracted stretch of fast-paced keep-ball, Harness again gave the assist, this time a simpler lay-off, for Jack Taylor to smash the ball past Bentley and complete an amazing turnaround.

After the game, Harness claimed he couldn’t remember ever in his professional career giving a hat-trick of assists. He praised the team’s unity despite not having started a league game yet this year.

“It’s a unique group, a unique squad, a unique club. I’ve never been a part of a team that trains with such vigor. Everyone is making the same move. It’s a joy to participate.

The Suffolk team has won 23 of its past 26 games since McKenna took over in February and is presently in an automatic promotion spot, stoking expectations that they would make their first appearance in the top division in 22 years next season.

The team’s enthusiasm will not have been diminished by Tuesday’s performance.

Looking forward the Fourth Round draw, McKenna cautioned, “We can’t get ahead of ourselves.