Ipswich Town promoted to Premier League after 22-year absence

Ipswich Town secured their return to the Premier League after a 22-year absence by seeing off Huddersfield Town 2-0 at Portman Road on Saturday.

Kieran McKenna’s side, who only earned promotion from League One last year, required a point on the final day of regular-season fixtures.

Wes Burns put Ipswich on their way with a 27th-minute strike, before Omar Hutchinson sealed the deal early in the second period.

Ipswich join Leicester City in going up to the top flight automatically – the Foxes having secured their passage last week before cementing top spot on Monday.

As it turned out, even a loss would have seen Town go up as Leeds failed to pick up the three points they needed in a 2-1 loss to Southampton.

Joel Piroe cancelled out Adam Armstrong’s goal, but Will Smallbone restored the visitors’ lead before half-time at Elland Road and it remained that way.

We are @premierleague. pic.twitter.com/bHbComlHh2

— Ipswich Town (@IpswichTown) May 4, 2024

Leeds will now face Norwich City in the play-offs after the Canaries dropped from fifth to sixth with a 1-0 loss to Birmingham City.

West Brom’s 3-0 win over Preston North End ensured they finished the season in fifth, meaning a play-off semi-final date with Southampton.

Despite their home win over Norwich, Birmingham joined Rotherham United and Huddersfield Town in being relegated to the third tier.

That is due to Plymouth Argyle defeating top-six chasers Hull City 1-0, while Sheffield Wednesday eased to a 2-0 victory at Sunderland.

Rotherham’s relegation was confirmed last month, while Huddersfield were effectively already down barring a miraculous set of results on the final day.