Ipswich and Southampton Share Points as Premier League Promotion Battle Heads to the Final Day

Wes Burns gave Ipswich an early advantage in the second half, but the visitors’ lead was short-lived, lasting just 10 minutes as Southampton, reeling from their FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City, equalised thanks to Ryan Manning’s free-kick from just outside the box.

The home crowd at St Mary’s had even more reason to cheer when Cyle Larin put the Saints ahead with only 10 minutes left in regulation time.

However, Ipswich found their equaliser in the 87th minute when substitute Jack Clarke struck a left-footed shot into the bottom left corner from just outside the area, following a corner kick.

Clarke, who is Ipswich’s top scorer this season, nearly secured a dramatic late win just two minutes later when his effort hit the post, bounced off Saints goalkeeper Daniel Peretz, and rolled agonisingly past the wrong side of the goal line for a corner.

During the third minute of five added on, Ipswich again found the back of the net, only for the goal to be correctly disallowed for offside, moments before Peretz executed a stunning save to deny Clarke.

Only the top two teams at the end of the regular campaign will be guaranteed places in the lucrative Premier League, with leaders Coventry already securing the Championship title.

If Ipswich had clinched victory, they would have moved three points clear of Millwall, all but securing their promotion due to their significantly better goal difference.

Now, however, the draw means they must secure a win at home against Queens Park Rangers on Saturday to guarantee second place, with Ipswich currently a point ahead of Millwall and two clear of fourth-placed Middlesbrough, both of whom could potentially catch up with Coventry.

This draw eliminated Southampton’s hopes of automatic promotion, but the Saints will still compete in the play-offs, which will include the teams finishing third to sixth, to determine which additional team will join the Premier League.

After a fairly uneventful first half, Ipswich took the lead in the 48th minute when Burns struck a shot to Peretz’s left, nestling it into the top corner with a slight touch from the goalkeeper.

Southampton responded just 10 minutes later when Jacob Greaves received a yellow card for a robust challenge on Finn Azaz just outside the Ipswich penalty area.

Ryan Manning’s powerful free-kick deflected off Marcelino Nunez, enough to divert the ball to the left of Christian Walton, as the Ipswich keeper dove in the opposite direction.