Ipswich Town were relegated from the Premier League on Saturday, April 26, following a 3-0 defeat to Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
The loss confirmed their fate, leaving the club 15 points adrift of 17th-place West Ham with just four matches remaining, sealing their return to the Championship after a single season in the top flight.
Ipswich’s chances were further diminished when Ben Johnson was shown a red card in the 37th minute, picking up two quick bookings and leaving Kieran McKenna’s side to play the majority of the match a man down. The game swung in Newcastle’s favor when Alexander Isak converted a penalty in stoppage time after Jacob Murphy was fouled by Julio Enciso. In the second half, Dan Burn doubled Newcastle’s lead with a header in the 56th minute, and William Osula added a third in the 80th minute, effectively ending any hopes of a comeback for Ipswich.
The defeat confirmed Ipswich’s relegation, alongside Southampton and Leicester City, making history as the first time in Premier League history that all three relegation spots were decided with as many as four matches left in the season. Ipswich, who had earned promotion to the Premier League after consecutive promotions from League One and the Championship, managed just four wins from their 34 league games this season.
The club’s rise to the top flight had been a fairytale, winning admiration from fans across the country for their rapid ascent under McKenna’s leadership. The 38-year-old coach had been lauded for his attacking football, which saw Ipswich climb through the leagues after his appointment in 2021. However, McKenna couldn’t prevent the club’s slide back down, as defeats to Premier League giants like Liverpool and Manchester City in the early months highlighted the gap between Ipswich and the top-tier elite.
Ipswich’s first league win of the season came in November, when they triumphed 2-1 over Tottenham to end a 10-game winless run. Despite the impressive performances of striker Liam Delap, the club remained entrenched in the relegation zone for most of the campaign. A crushing loss to bottom-of-the-table Southampton in February was seen as a harbinger of their eventual downfall.
With relegation now sealed, McKenna, who had already accepted the inevitable before the Newcastle match, will now focus on leading Ipswich’s bid for promotion next season. The Northern Irishman will be hoping the club remains behind him as they aim to bounce back from their disappointing Premier League campaign.
