CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL DAY
GOALS from Wes Burns and Omari Hutchinson fired Ipswich back into the Premier League for the first time in 22 years, with the 2-0 win over Huddersfield also confirming the Terriers’ relegation.
Third-placed Leeds, who began the day three points behind, lost 2-1 at home to Southampton, the team immediately below them.
West Brom’s 3-0 win over Preston secured fifth place. Norwich claimed the final play-off place despite a 1-0 defeat to Birmingham, who were still consigned to the third tier for the first time since 1995.
Blackburn ended champions Leicester’s chance to reach 100 points as two second-half goals from Sammie Szmodics spoiled the party at the King Power.
The scene was completely different at Portman Road as Ipswich returned to the top flight.
Huddersfield were effectively down before kick-off due to their vastly inferior goal difference but when Burns slotted home in the 27th minute the pressure eased on the hosts and Hutchinson ensured there was no late drama.
Leeds’ late-season stumble continued. Although Joel Piroe cancelled out Adam Armstrong’s 18th-minute opener, Will Smallbone
added Saints’ second 10 minutes before half-time.
And there was disappointment at St Andrews where Birmingham beat Norwich courtesy of a goal by Paik Seung-ho.
The club were lying sixth when they sacked John Eustace and replaced him with Wayne Rooney in October but that was start of the slide into League One as they won just eight matches after that.
Plymouth’s 1-0 win over Hull, courtesy of Joe Edwards’ goal, and Wednesday’s win at Sunderland, where Liam Palmer and Josh Windass were on target, confirmed Blues fans’ worst fears.
Alex Mowatt, Kyle Bartley and Darnell Furlong all scored to rubber-stamp West Brom’s play-off place, which effectively closed the door on Hull.
Stoke recorded their biggest win of the season as Million Manhoef scored twice in a 4-0 victory over Bristol City. Luke Cundle and Tyrese Campbell added the others.
QPR beat Coventry 2-1 after first-half goals from Ilias Chair and Morgan Fox, with Jamie Allen responding for the hosts.
Middlesbrough were 3-1 victors at home to Watford as Emmanuel Latte Lath scored his 11th goal in 12 games.