SARM FINISH
Sub Jeremy strikes in the final seconds to leave his boss buzzing
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KIERAN MCKENNA hailed his never-say-die heroes for the lastgasp winner that kept Ipswich on the top of the table.
Sub Jeremy Sarmiento’s 97thminute strike sunk a Southampton side that had been in control for most of the game.
But the Tractor Boys have made a habit of scoring just before the final whistle.
And this was the biggest comeback of them all, keeping Town above Leeds and Leicester and all but ending Saints’ own hopes of automatic promotion.
Manager Mckenna said: “It’s a good habit – it doesn’t happen by chance.
“It was right up there, another brilliant day and brilliant match to be involved in.
“It was a really high-level fantastic performance and to win it with a last-minute winner like that is a moment to cherish.”
Left-back Leif Davis was in the thick of almost all the action.
He smashed Ipswich ahead in the 13th minute with a superb strike into the top corner.
Sam Morsy picked him out in space on the edge of the box for a shot that beat Saints keeper Gavin Bazunu for pace at his near post.
Saints hit back within 60 seconds, however, as Che Adams claimed his 13th goal of the season.
Ipswich appealed in vain for offside from Joe Aribo’s poke forward – but Davis had played him on. Davis was caught out of position for Saints’ second in the 23rd minute – the result of a strong run from Stuart Armstrong.
The Scot picked out Adam Armstrong for a shot across Town keeper Vaclav Hladky.
Saints were looking comfortable until Town made a triple substitution just after the hour mark.
One – Jack Taylor – set up another – Nathan Broadhead – for a first-time shot that caught out Bazunu again. The contest swung Ipswich’s way when Davis got goal-side of James Bree, who was sent off for bringing him down just outside the box. And it was Davis who set up Sarmiento, who slipped initially but recovered to poke home a memorable winner.
Southampton boss Russell Martin said: “We were the best team, we didn’t deserve to lose. We had 17 shots, five huge chances and missed three. If you were watching the game you’d know we were the dominant team and should have gone on to win it.’’
Martin was not impressed with referee Michael Salisbury for sending Bree on his way. He said: “I’ve only seen it once but he couldn’t wait to get out the red card.”
IPSWICH: Hladky 7, Tuanzebe 6 (Clarke 61, 5), Woolfenden 8, Burgess 7, Davis 8, Morsy 7, Luongo 6 (Taylor 61, 6), Jackson 6 (Broadhead 61, 6), Chaplin 5 (Sarmiento 89), Hutchinson 5, Moore 5 (Al Hamadi 36, 5) SOUTHAMPTON: Bazunu 5, Bree 5, Harwood-bellis 7, Bednarek 7, Stephens 7, Aribo 6 (Rothwell 82), Downes 8, S Armstrong 8 (Smallbone 82), A Armstrong 8, Adams 6 (Edozie 77),
Fraser 7 (Brooks 71, 4)