It could have been even better for the home side but Sturridge headed wide from a late cross by fellow substitute Marc Albrighton and England will take a slender lead into the second leg in Botosani on Tuesday.

BBC: England U21 2-1 Romania U21

Ipswich grew in confidence as the match wore on, received tremendous support from the sold-out Portman Road crowd of 29, 146 and will deservedly take their slender lead into the second-leg at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday 25 January.

BBC: Ipswich 1-0 Arsenal

The result is the worse possible preparation for Inter, who travel to Mourinho's former club Chelsea in the Champions League last 16 next week, holding a slender 2-1 advantage from the first leg at the San Siro.

CNN: Ten-man Inter crash to defeat at Catania