Ipswich Town sealed promotion to the Premier League after a 22-year absence with a comfortable victory that also mathematically confirmed Huddersfield’s relegation to League One.
Portman Road celebrated in earnest once Wes Burns broke the deadlock midway through the first half and Omari Hutchinson added a second goal just after the break to give the scoreline a truer reflection of the home side’s dominance.
The Tractor Boys, as they are affectionately known, were last in the top flight in 2002 and also became the first team since Southampton in 2012 to complete consecutive promotions to the Premier League.
No wonder his jubilant fans were happy to chant the name of his ‘Messiah’ manager, Kieran McKenna.
There was an air of excitement and anticipation in Suffolk reflected in thousands of fans turning to greet the team’s coach as blue smoke filled the streets around the stadium.
Ipswich return to the Premier League for the first time in 22 years after beating Huddersfield
Manager Kieran McKenna deserves all the plaudits after leading his team to back-to-back promotions.
Ipswich fans went into delirium when their Premier League status was confirmed as they stormed the pitch to join the players.
It was party time at Portman Road as fans filled the grass before letting out blue smoke.
Fans stood on their shoulders as they enjoyed the moment after a difficult few years watching the team.
Ipswich only needed a point to guarantee promotion and McKenna couldn’t have wished for better opponents than Huddersfield, who already looked certain to go down, needing to win by a 15-goal swing to avoid it.
Their coach, André Breitenreiter, publicly criticized his players and made four changes for the final match.
Ipswich had eight attempts on goal in the first 25 minutes without testing visiting goalkeeper Chris Maxwell, who was starting his first game of 2024.
The best opening fell to Burns, who was played by Conor Chaplin, but he got his angles wrong and slid a low shot past the post.
But the same combination finally ended the tie after 27 minutes.
Chaplin was conscious of finding Burns on the right edge of the penalty area and fired past Maxwell into the bottom corner to spark jubilation among a packed crowd.
Wes Burn scored the first goal of the first half to give Ipswich the perfect start to the game.
Omari Hutchinson completed a perfect day in which the Tractor Boys only needed a point
Ipswich fans were celebrating even before kick-off as they welcomed the team with flares.
The news that rivals Leeds were losing to Southampton added to the feel-good factor and the home side almost added a second goal before the break when defender Luke Woolfenden stepped forward and fired a shot from 25 yards that Maxwell needed two attempts. to stop.
Chaplin was also upset that he did not receive a penalty when challenged by Matty Pearson.
Portman Road, filled to capacity for 29,000, erupted again just three minutes into the second half when Chelsea loanee Omari Hutchinson broke inside the penalty area and scored a low shot which Maxwell could only help push towards the goal. corner.
It was Hutchinson’s 11th goal of the season and he celebrated with a clever back-flip. It was also the signal for all the songs to come out. “Get up if you’re going to get in” he shouted out loud without anyone staying in his seats.
Left-back Leif Davis underlined the adventure in Ipswich’s game by bombing forward in search of the third goal and coming close with a volley that bounced off the ground and bounced off the crossbar.
McKenna celebrates with the Ipswich Town directors his team’s return to the top of English football.
Even in their final moment of triumph, Town played with a sense of freedom and a desire to score more goals, a tribute to their manager.
Goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky was probably glad he had a first shot on goal to save Josh Koroma in the 73rd minute, so he could feel part of the game.
McKenna was treated with skepticism by some senior Manchester United players when training at Old Trafford under Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Perhaps they should have listened, because the 37-year-old Ulster player is clearly one of the most talented coaches of his generation.
The Tractor Boys sealed back-to-back promotions after rising from League One last year.
Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna was treated with skepticism at United but is one of the most talented managers of his generation.
It is a momentous two years for Ipswich, who were promoted from League One as champions last season before becoming unlikely favorites for immediate promotion to the top flight.
Former Man United U18 coach McKenna joined the club at the end of 2021 to replace Paul Cook, who was sacked after the team fell to mid-table following two wins in nine games.
After stabilizing the club in the 2021-22 season, McKenna’s Ipswich took flight in 2022-23 as they finished second in the table behind Plymouth Argyle, scoring an incredible 101 goals along the way and collecting 98 points.
The last time Ipswich was in the Premier League was in the 2001-02 season, when they were relegated after finishing in 18th place with 36 points.