Ipswich promoted to Premier League as Wrexham miss out in Championship closing day
Ipswich Town secured an immediate return to the Premier League on a dramatic Championship final day, beating QPR 3-0 at Portman Road to clinch second place ahead of Millwall and Middlesbrough.
(Image: Paul Harding/Getty Images)
Ipswich have earned promotion to the Premier League following a thrilling final day of the Championship campaign.
After dropping down from the top flight 12 months ago, Kieran McKenna’s team sealed an instant return by securing second spot with a convincing 3-0 triumph over Queens Park Rangers. Finding the net twice within the first nine minutes, Ipswich kicked off the celebrations early at Portman Road. George Hirst opened the scoring before Jaden Philogene added a second moments later.
Kasey McAteer then sealed the victory by netting Ipswich’s third with five minutes remaining. McKenna has now guided the Tractor Boys to three different promotions across four-and-a-half years. Millwall were Ipswich’s main challengers going into the final day, but their 2-0 home victory over Oxford United fell short. Middlesbrough were also in contention for the last automatic promotion spot, but they were pegged back to a 2-2 stalemate away to play-off hopefuls Wrexham, reports the Mirror.
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Ipswich have joined Coventry, who ascend as champions following a remarkable 95-point campaign. As for Millwall, Southampton, Middlesbrough and Hull City, they’ll compete in the play-offs. Millwall will face Hull while Southampton take on Boro.
It was devastation for Wrexham and Derby County, who’ll be left to lament their results on matchday 46, as Hull defeated Norwich 2-1 to take advantage and clinch sixth spot. There was no tension at the foot of the table on Saturday, as the drop battle had already been settled last weekend.
However, there was some celebration for basement club Sheffield Wednesday, who alongside Oxford and Leicester will compete in League One next season.
Wednesday secured just their second victory of the campaign and their maiden home triumph to conclude the season on zero points, having been docked 12 after going into administration in October.
The Owls defeated West Bromwich Albion 2-0 at an ecstatic Hillsborough to celebrate their takeover which was confirmed moments before kick-off. West Brom had nothing at stake, having secured safety with a match to spare.
Leicester also claimed a precious victory after enduring consecutive relegations. Meanwhile, Roy Hodgson concluded his tenure as Bristol City boss with a 2-0 triumph over Stoke City, ensuring a top-half finish for the Robins.
