Ipswich Town’s dream return to the Premier League ended in heartbreak on Saturday after a heavy 3-0 defeat to Newcastle United at St James’ Park confirmed their immediate relegation.
Kieran McKenna’s side, who had captured the imagination of football fans with their meteoric rise from League One to the top flight, struggled to cope with the Premier League’s intensity throughout the campaign. Their fate was sealed with four games still to play, as Ipswich remained 15 points adrift of safety after 34 matches.
The defeat was emblematic of Ipswich’s struggles this season. Defender Ben Johnson was sent off after two quick bookings in the first half, leaving the Tractor Boys vulnerable.
Newcastle capitalized, with Alexander Isak scoring a penalty in first-half stoppage time before Dan Burn and William Osula added further goals in the second half.
Ipswich have managed just four wins all season and endured a 10-game winless start that set the tone for their struggles. Despite flashes of brilliance from striker Liam Delap and McKenna’s commitment to an attacking style of play, the club never climbed out of the relegation zone.
Their relegation, alongside fellow promoted clubs Southampton and Leicester, marks a historic first: never before in Premier League history have all three promoted teams been condemned to the drop with four games still remaining.
Now, the focus shifts to whether McKenna, who earned widespread admiration for his achievements in getting Ipswich back to the Premier League, will stay to guide the club in their bid for another promotion.
