Ipswich Town secured an immediate return to the Premier League as they defeated Queens Park Rangers 3-0 at Portman Road to seal the Championship's second automatic promotion spot. Relegated 12 months ago after just four wins in their first top-flight season for 22 years, Kieran McKenna's side have bounced back straight away.
With matters in their own hands going into the last day, Ipswich knew that three points would nullify anything that promotion rivals Millwall or Middlesbrough could do. A draw would also have been enough if Millwall failed to beat Oxford and Middlesbrough did not beat Wrexham by more than five goals, and they would have been up regardless if Millwall and Middlesbrough failed to win. Goals from George Hirst, Jaden Philogene and Kasey McAteer settled it.
Out Of The Traps In Nine Minutes
Amid a pulsating atmosphere and backed by a vociferous crowd, the home side flew out of the traps. Leif Davis had a great chance to open the scoring in the second minute when he was put clean through by Jack Taylor, but QPR goalkeeper Joe Walsh came out to deflect his shot for a corner.