The big story is Ipswich’s return to the top flight after a 22-year absence. Back-to-back promotions in his first two seasons as a manager; that Kieran McKenna’s not half bad, eh? There’s also the matter of the two sensational Sammie Szmodics solo goals that indirectly condemned Birmingham City to League One. But amid all the drama, it’s easy to forget that Leicester City are the actual champions of the division, so let’s finish with a picture of the Foxes raising the famous old trophy as they return to the Premier League at the first attempt. Congratulations to them, and to Ipswich; good luck to Leeds, Southampton, West Brom and Norwich in the play-offs, and commiserations to Huddersfield and Birmingham, whose relegations were confirmed this afternoon. Thanks for reading this Clockwatch!
Leicester City pick up their trophy at the King Power. Photograph: Nigel French/PA
Saints will however be going into those play-offs in a better frame of mind than Leeds. Today’s result at Elland Road will see to that. Louise Taylor witnessed it, and here’s her report.
Got to say, none of these teams are heading into the play-offs in particularly good form. Leeds ended the season losing three of their last four, Saints were on a three-game losing streak before winning today at Leeds, ditto West Brom before today’s victory over Preston, and Norwich drew two and lost one of their last three. Good luck, everyone!
Sunday 12 May Norwich City v Leeds United (12pm) West Bromwich Albion v Southampton (2.15pm)
Thursday 16 May Leeds United v Norwich City (8pm)
Friday 17 May Southampton v West Bromwich Albion (8pm)
Kieran McKenna, who has taken Ipswich Town from League One to the Premier League in short order, speaks to Sky Sports. “It means a lot … mostly seeing how much it means to everyone, the players, the supporters … to be one of the leaders of that is absolutely massive … it’s a wonderful day, I’m very, very proud of everyone involved … we’ve delivered a really good performance … it’s what we’ve done all year … it’s served us well … it’s an incredible amount of effort … I’m sure it’ll sink in in a couple of days … there’s a lot of work to do … it’ll start in a couple of days time … [the Premier League] will be a great challenge and one that I’m really looking forward to.”
It’s then pointed out to him that Alf Ramsey took Ipswich from the third tier to the top, and won the title in their first season (1961-62). When will history stop repeating itself? “I think with that one,” McKenna laughs.
Champions: Leicester City Promoted: Ipswich Town Play-offs: Leeds United, Southampton, West Bromwich Albion, Norwich City Relegated: Birmingham City, Huddersfield Town, Rotherham United
Ipswich are automatically promoted. West Brom and Norwich secure their play-off spots. Blackburn, Sheffield Wednesday and Plymouth save themselves, sending Birmingham down.
A good performance by Blues. Too little, too late. They’re down. Replacing John Eustace with Wayne Rooney wasn’t the greatest idea.
Birmingham City keeper John Ruddy looks dejected as he is escorted off the pitch as fans invade, after Birmingham City are relegated to League One. Photograph: Cameron Smith/Getty Images
Another entertaining solo run by Sammie Szmodics, and Blackburn’s Championship status is secure! Leicester were on the attack, but it broke down and Szmodics romped from inside his own half, rounded the keeper on the halfway line (!) and celebrated before rolling home. He’s kept Rovers up all by himself!
Ipswich 2-0 Huddersfield. Ipswich are in party mode all right, so much so that they’ve just hooked keeper Václav Hladký and sent on Christian Walton, just because they can.
As it stands, Plymouth are staying up by the skin of their teeth. Can they hold on against Hull? Can Hull do Birmingham a solid? We’ll find out soon enough.
Plymouth 1-0 Hull. With Birmingham and Blackburn leading, the nerves are jangling in Devon. Should Hull equalise, it’ll be the Pilgrims going down. Meanwhile …
Leicester 0-1 Blackburn. That was an outrageously good solo goal by Szmodics. He spun away from and clear of the last man in his own half, making it all the way down the flank and into the box before bobbling a low diagonal shot home. What a way to ensure survival, if that’s how things pan out!
Blackburn Rovers' Sammie Szmodics finishes off a fine run with a super finish. Photograph: Alex Dodd/CameraSport/Getty Images
With Birmingham winning, a goal for Leicester would put Blackburn in the relegation places. Sammie Szmodics responds by barrelling down the left flank, cutting into the box, and threading a shot across the keeper and into the bottom right! Rovers on the way to saving themselves!
Blackburn Rovers midfielder Sammie Szmodics (second right) is congratulated by his teammates after opening the scoring against Leicester City. Photograph: Craig Galloway/ProSports/Shutterstock
A long throw from the right. Kyle Bartley wins a header, sending the ball looping on an absurdly high arc, and back down into the top-right corner. West Brom almost certain of the play-offs now!
Kyle Bartley doubles the Baggies’ lead. Photograph: Adam Fradgley/West Bromwich Albion FC/Getty Images
Hope for Birmingham! Anderson cuts in from the left. He shoots. The ball deflects, pinballs and bobbles. Paik pokes home at the far stick. Well, well, well. Now, should Leicester score against Blackburn …
Birmingham City's Paik Seung-ho opens the scoring at St Andrews. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA
Then celebrates with teammates. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA
The Tractor Boys are surely truckin’ towards the Premier League! Omari Hutchinson turns into space, dribbles down the middle of the park, and threads a shot into the bottom left from distance! Portman Road erupts!
Omari Hutchinson celebrates scoring their second goal with a cartwheel. Photograph: Zac Goodwin/PA
Half-time entertainment. The Championship isn’t the only show in town this lunchtime. The snooker is on as well. All the latest from the Crucible is just a click away.
