Town ended 2023 with a 0-0 home draw with QPR, the first time they had failed to net at in the league Portman Road during the calendar year. The Blues, shorn of several regulars through suspension, injury and illness, were never at their best with QPR coming closest to breaking the deadlock when a Steve Cook header struck the post and ran along the line before being forced away.
Freddie Ladapo, Wes Burns and Conor Chaplin were on target as Town comfortably beat Oxford United 3-0 at Portman Road, their first victory over the U’s since February 1999. Ladapo followed up Chaplin’s volley in the 39th minute to give the Blues the lead, then six minutes later Burns hooked home a corner to make it 2-0 and Chaplin made it three with nine minutes left to inflict Oxford’s first league defeat by more than one goal this season.
Freddie Ladapo as the Blues drew 1-1 with Millwall at the Den. Benik Afobe gave the Lions the lead in the 16th minute but Town were much the better side in the second half and Ladapo scored the equaliser on 54 with the Blues having chances to win it in the latter stages.
Kane Vincent-Young netted a late header but a goal in each half from Kurt Zouma and Daniel Chesters saw Premier League West Ham United to a 2-1 friendly victory over the Blues at Portman Road.
Conor Chaplin netted three minutes from time against his old club as the Blues came from behind twice to draw 2-2 at Portsmouth. Marlon Pack’s fourth-minute free-kick gave Pompey the lead, but Cameron Burgess’s second of the season levelled seven minutes later. In the second half, Colby Bishop put the home side back in front very much against the run of play on the hour, before Chaplin denied his local side the win with a rebound from close range.