Ipswich Town have been relegated from the Premier League after they were comfortably beaten by Newcastle United away from home. They needed to avoid defeat against the Magpies to have any chance of staying up, but slipped to a 3-0 loss and will make an immediate return to the Championship next season. It had been coming for some time, with none of the promoted clubs doing anywhere near enough to mix it with the rest of the division.
Newcastle were in the ascendancy from the first whistle and wasted several chances to take the lead early on. They were given a huge boost when Ipswich defender Ben Johnson was sent off in the first half. He was initially booked for what the referee thought was simulation before picking up a second yellow card for a clumsy challenge on Alexander Isak.
The deadlock was broken just before the break when Newcastle were awarded a penalty, with Julio Enciso deemed to have fouled Jacob Murphy following a VAR intervention. Isak made no mistake from the spot to put the hosts ahead at the midway point.
Newcastle doubled their lead in the second half when Dan Burn headed home from close range after 56 minutes. It ensured the game was over as a contest before substitute William Osula added some extra gloss to the scoreline in the closing stages.
Ipswich’s relegation was confirmed at the final whistle, leading to plenty of glum faces on the pitch and in the away end. It means that for the second season running, all three clubs who were promoted from the Championship are going straight back down.
Southampton were relegated at the start of this month and will be remembered as one of the worst teams in Premier League history. Leicester City, meanwhile, were sent down last weekend following their defeat to Liverpool at the King Power Stadium.
Ipswich have only won four league games all season, with only one of those coming since the turn of the year. They have tasted defeat in 21 of their 34 matches, conceding a total of 74 goals, and will almost certainly lose top scorer Liam Delap in the summer.
All but one of the places in next season’s Premier League have now been confirmed, with Leeds United and Burnley gaining promotion last weekend. They will be joined by the winner of the Championship play-offs, which will take place next month.
Sheffield United will be aiming to ensure a quick return to the top flight, having already earned their place in the division’s top six. Sunderland, who have not played Premier League football in nearly a decade, will also be looking to make the step up.
The final two play-off places are yet to be decided, with Bristol City able to ensure their participation by beating Leeds on Monday night. Coventry City, Millwall, Blackburn Rovers and Middlesbrough can also break into the top six before the regular season ends next weekend.
