PA Media/dpa
Ipswich
Goals from Wes Burns and Omari Hutchinson fired Ipswich back into the Premier League for the first time in 22 years with the 2-0 win over Huddersfield also confirming the Terriers’ relegation.
That result negated anything third-placed Leeds, who began the day three points behind ‘could manage’ which turned out to be a 2-1 home defeat to the team immediately below them Southampton.
After four defeats in their last six matches Daniel Farke’s team are the first second-tier side since Sunderland in 1998 to earn 90 points or more and not go up automatically.
West Brom’s 3-0 win over Preston secured fifth place, overtaking Norwich who claimed the final play-off place despite a 1-0 defeat to Birmingham, who were still consigned to the third tier for the first time since 1995 as fellow strugglers Plymouth, Sheffield Wednesday and Blackburn all won.
Ipswich’s win heralded back-to-back promotions for the Tractor Boys.
Boss Kieran McKenna has overseen a remarkable turnaround in the club’s fortunes ‘ and promotion this season saw them become the first team since Southampton in 2011 and 2012 to win successive promotions to the Premier League from League One (third tier).
There were thousands of Ipswich fans outside the ground prior to kick off with smoke bombs and flares in abundance.
And the home side got off to a dominating start in front of an expectant crowd, pinning their opponent into their own half for the opening 20 minutes.
Axel Tuanzebe’s shot from just inside the penalty area was deflected past the Huddersfield post, George Hirst narrowly headed wide and Conor Chaplin’s 25-metre effort flew narrowly past Huddersfield goalkeeper Chris Maxwell’s left hand post.
Burns headed the ball across the penalty area to an unmarked Conor Chaplin but he misdirected his header.
Ipswich should have taken the lead following a breakaway in the 25th minute. Chaplin fed the ball through to Burns and he only had Maxwell to beat but fired wide.
But the Tractor Boys took the lead two minutes later through the same combination with an explosion of noise greeting the goal.
