Kieran McKenna hailed his comeback kings as Ipswich dug deep to seal a jaw-dropping 3-2 stoppage-time victory against Southampton to go back top of the Sky Bet Championship.

A pulsating Easter Monday clash at a packed Portman Road went down to the wire after Che Adams and Adam Armstrong had put Saints in the driving seat, having been hit by a Leif Davis’ stunner.

Nathan Broadhead levelled for Ipswich and, after Southampton full-back James Bree was sent off, fellow substitute Jeremy Sarmiento snatched victory in the seventh and final minute of stoppage-time.

That goal sparked bedlam, sending Town back to the Championship summit as McKenna’s men took their points tally from losing positions to a remarkable 31.

“It was right up there,” the Ipswich boss said. “It was another brilliant day, brilliant match to be involved in.

“A really high level, fantastic performance. Both teams did so many good things and a great day to be involved in.

“Of course when you win it with the last-minute winner like that, it’s a moment to really cherish.

“A great moment. I think everyone got a little bit lost in it – subs, staff, everyone.

“My radar still probably thinks ‘there’s 30 seconds to go so you have to get organised again’.

“We’ve had it happen to us, we’ve done it to Rotherham a month ago, so you still have to see the last ball or two out.

“But, yeah, a wonderful moment for everyone involved and one that I’m sure everyone will remember for a long time.”

Put to the former Manchester United coach that Fergie time is fast becoming McKenna time, he said with a laugh: “It’s a good habit. It doesn’t happen by chance.

“I’ve spoken with that before, everyone knows that doesn’t happen by chance and there’s a lot of work goes into it but yeah, it’s a great way to win again.”

While Ipswich celebrate long into the night, Southampton were again left wondering what might have been.

So dominant for so much of the game, their profligacy in front of goal cost them like it has so many times this season on a night that seemingly ended their automatic promotion hopes.

Saints boss Russell Martin said: “We were the best team, we didn’t deserve to lose. We came here, we had 17 shots on goal. Five huge chances, we missed three. They had relatively little until late on.

“We responded amazingly well to a poor goal to concede, so I think if you’re in the game and you’re feeling it, you’re watching it, you know we were the dominant team and we should go on to win the game.

“But we missed two massive chances and then we go down to 10 men and they take there’s.

“Even at 2-2, I thought we were going win the game and then with 10 men, David Brooks goes through in the box and squares, we nearly score.

“I’m so proud of the players, brilliant performance. If we play like that between now and the end of the season, we’ll be right in it still, I think.”

Ipswich super sub Jeremy Sarmiento nets late winner against sorry Southampton

Super sub Jeremy Sarmiento secured Sky Bet Championship comeback kings Ipswich a stunning 3-2 stoppage-time win against profligate Southampton to go back to the top of the table.

A packed Portman Road hosted this eagerly-anticipated Easter Monday encounter between a pair of sides pushing for a place in the Premier League next season.

Che Adams and Adam Armstrong put Southampton on course for a much-needed win after Leif Davis’ stunning opener, but all too familiar wastefulness cost Russell Martin’s men dearly.

Substitute Nathan Broadhead levelled and James Bree’s 85th-minute sending off for dragging back Davis made for a nervy final conclusion.

Ipswich looked set to fall short but Kieran McKenna’s men never give up, epitomised by Sarmiento recovering from a slip to direct the ball home in the seventh and final minute of stoppage time to spark bedlam.

As for Southampton, their continued inability to capitalise when on top means their faint automatic promotion hopes are now all but over.

It was the perfect end to the night for Ipswich and their fans – including onwatching Ed Sheeran – and follows a dream start.

Sam Morsy showed skill and awareness to float a ball out to Davis, with the full-back continuing to laser a stunning shot past Gavin Bazunu at his near post in the 13th minute.

It was a quite wonderful hit met by an immediate Saints riposte.

Quick build-up played ended with Joe Aribo prodding forwards for Adams to sweep home a 14th-minute equaliser from six yards. Ipswich fans and players appealed for offside, unaware that Davis had played on the Saints striker.

Martin’s men took confidence from that equaliser and went ahead midway through the first half.

The visitors moved from back to front, with Stuart Armstrong bursting forward and continuing to play an exceptional ball through for Adam Armstrong to beat Vaclav Hladky with a first-time finish.

Ipswich offered little in terms of response beyond a Conor Chaplin strike into the ground and then lost influential Kieffer Moore to injury.

Ryan Fraser sent a shot across the face of goal and Adam Armstrong curled an effort over as the first half came to an end, with Southampton continuing dangerously after the break.

Hladky did brilliantly to stop Jan Bednarek heading in a free-kick, before the Ipswich goalkeeper saved a low shot from Adam Armstrong.

The Czech shot-stopper also blocked a Fraser effort but the longer Saints failed to extend their lead, the more chance there was for Ipswich to pull level.

Half of Portman Road thought they had in the 66th minute when substitute Ali Al-Hamadi skipped past his man and hit the post from the edge of the box.

Southampton failed to heed that warning and two minutes later were made to pay as Broadhead hit a hopeful low shot from just inside the box on the turn that beat Bazunu down low to his left.

Play swung from end to end as these promotion contenders sought a winner, with Saints reduced to 10 men in the 85th minute. Bree hauled back Davis just outside the box and referee Michael Salisbury handed out a red card.

The tension inside the ground was palpable as both sides pushed until the end, with a late David Brooks cross stopped and Broadhead attempt saved.

Seven minute of stoppage time were announced and Sarmiento struck at the death, beating Bazunu to spark wild celebrations, having recovered from an initial slip to score.
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Premier League predictions: Gameweek 31
Arsenal take on Luton Town and Man City host Aston Villa in Gameweek 31
Fellow title hopefuls Liverpool face Sheffield Utd on Thursday night
Midweek fixtures conclude at Stamford Brdige when Man Utd visit Chelsea

By James Cormack
Apr 1, 2024
How will Arsenal and Man City follow up their draw on Sunday afternoon?
How will Arsenal and Man City follow up their draw on Sunday afternoon? / Visionhaus/GettyImages
The conclusion of the March international break means we've entered run-in territory in the 2023/24 Premier League season.

A hectic conclusion to the campaign is in store, with plenty to be figured out at both ends of the table.

The division was at its scintillating best before Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta ruined the fun on Sunday afternoon. Don't fear, though, folks, there's a midweek slate of fixtures upon us!

Here's how 90min sees Gameweek 31 panning out in the Premier League.

Tuesday 2 April
Jarrod Bowen
West Ham host Tottenham in a London derby on Tuesday / Sebastian Frej/MB Media/GettyImages
The majority of the action in midweek takes place on Tuesday, with the standout fixture arriving in east London as West Ham host Tottenham.

The Hammers prevailed in the reverse fixture, but they'll need to pick themselves up swiftly having succumbed to a dramatic Newcastle turnaround on Saturday. Spurs were once again reliant on a second-half resurgence as they overturned an early deficit to beat Luton Town.

Newcastle are back at St James' Park on Tuesday, with a hapless Everton visiting Tyneside. Injuries still dog the Magpies, who are without star man Anthony Gordon in midweek, but their heroics last time out will ensure the home crowd is in a fervent mood. Everton haven't recorded a Premier League win since Christmas.

Nottingham Forest's point deduction has thrown them into a perilous position towards the foot of the table, but their heads are just about afloat for the time being. Nuno Espirito Santo's side drew to Crystal Palace last time out and they're now facing a Fulham outfit that has struggled mightily away from home.

Palace remain a pretty forgettable outfit with Oliver Glasner at the helm, but they're nonetheless poised for another comfortable bottom-half finish. They're on the road again on Tuesday as they take on Bournemouth.

Burnley's results either side of the break will inspire confidence in regards to their survival hopes, and Vincent Kompany, who won't be on the sidelines, will earmark Tuesday's game against Wolves as a must-win. The Clarets are four points adrift of 17th place Forest.

Kick-off Time (BST)

Prediction

19:30

Newcastle 2-0 Everton

19:30

Nottingham Forest 1-2 Fulham

19:45

Burnley 1-2 Wolves

19:45

Bournemouth 1-1 Crystal Palace

20:15

West Ham 2-2 Tottenham

Wednesday 3 April
Gabriel Martinelli, Bernardo Silva - Soccer Midfielder
Man City and Arsenal are both in action on Wednesday / Visionhaus/GettyImages
Two of the three title race horses are in action on Wednesday, with Man City and Arsenal, who played out a drab stalemate on Sunday, hosting Aston Villa and Luton Town respectively.

The Gunners departed the Etihad pleased with their defensive efforts and will return to the top of the league with a win over Luton. The Hatters have been competitive against the division's best this season without securing a memorable win.

Villa were dominant in the reverse fixture against City, nullifying the Cityzens in a way similar to Arsenal did at the weekend. Villa's away form has picked up as of late, but beating Pep Guardiola's side at the Etihad has proven to be an impossible task for well over a year.

Wednesday's other game sees Brentford, who unjustly left with a mere point against Man Utd on Saturday, take on Brighton. The Bees are threatening to get dragged into the relegation dogfight having failed to win their previous ten games.

Kick-off Time (BST)

Prediction

19:30

Brentford 1-2 Brighton

19:30

Arsenal 3-0 Luton Town

20:15

Man City 2-1 Aston Villa

Thursday 4 April
Sofyan Amrabat, Cole Palmer
The fallen giants meet at Stamford Bridge / Stu Forster/GettyImages
It was a great day for Liverpool on Sunday with their title rivals sharing the spoils after they'd edged out Brighton at Anfield.

The Reds are likely to relinquish their lead before they kick off on Thursday against Sheffield United, but Jurgen Klopp's side will be expected to quickly return to the summit. Liverpool are unbeaten at Anfield this season, while the Blades boast the worst away record in the division.

Gameweek 31 concludes at Stamford Bridge where two former giants face off. Duels between Chelsea and Manchester United often expose their respective declines from grace, with both teams needing three points on Thursday for different reasons. The Blues merely need a morale boost (and some) having dropped points to ten-player Burnley on Saturday, while Man Utd are aiming to catch Aston Villa and Tottenham in the hunt for a Champions League place.

Kick-off Time (BST)

Prediction

19:30

Liverpool 3-0 Sheffield Utd

20:15

Chelsea 1-1 Man Utd

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