Jack Clarke's late equaliser salvaged a point for Ipswich, snuffing out Southampton's aspirations of securing automatic promotion in a dramatic 2-2 stalemate that now leaves the Premier League promotion battle to be decided on the final matchday. Southampton entered the encounter knowing that only a win would keep their push for the coveted second‑place spot alive.
Clarke's goal in the dying minutes, however, denied them that chance and handed Coventry the advantage in the race for the runners‑up position. With the season winding down, Ipswich, who will host Queens Park Rangers on the concluding Saturday, now sit one point ahead of Millwall and two clear of Middlesbrough as they head into the lunchtime showdown.
All three fixtures will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. Millwall travel to Oxford United, a club already consigned to relegation, while Middlesbrough travel to Wrexham, who themselves need a positive result to clinch a play‑off berth ahead of Hull City and Derby County. Southampton, having been knocked out of the automatic spots, will now compete in the play‑offs and face Preston North End on the final day.
The match itself was a tale of two halves. After a tightly contested first period, the second half erupted into a flurry of chances.
Jacob Greaves broke up a midfield duel with Tom Fellows, lofted the ball forward and Ivan Azon delivered a precise cross into the box. Burns met the ball with a powerful strike that flew past goalkeeper Daniel Peretz, giving Ipsips a 1‑0 lead. That advantage was short‑lived.
Ten minutes later, Greaves was shown a yellow card for a robust challenge on Finn Azaz just outside the Ipswich penalty area. The ensuing free‑kick was flicked by Manning, ricocheting off Marcelino Nunez and looping over the outstretched leg of a mis‑positioned Walton before nestling in the roof of the net, leveling the score at 1‑1. Southampton, aware that only a victory would keep their top‑two ambitions alive, intensified their attack.
In the 80th minute, a moment of brilliance tipped the balance in their favour. Manning surged forward, sliding a perfectly weighted pass to Canadian international Larin. Larin calmly sidestepped Greaves and Leif Davis, then slotted the ball past Walton to restore Southampton's lead, 2‑1. The final minutes saw a frantic four‑way scramble for promotion.
Clarke, determined not to let the Saints walk away with three points, struck his 16th league goal of the season with a well‑placed shot into the bottom right corner, drawing Ipswich level with three minutes remaining. The winger then came agonisingly close to a winner, first blasting a shot that struck the post and later forcing a last‑ditch save from Peretz. Middlesbrough defender Darnell Furlong also headed a late effort narrowly wide, leaving the match deadlocked at 2‑2. Post‑match, Southampton manager Tonka Eckert told Sky Sports, "We kept pushing and I have to compliment Ipswich today – both teams finished on a high after a very tough schedule.
I would have loved to win, but overall it was a very good game. You saw the dedication and we tried everything to win.
It's crunch time now, but we have clarity and we need to get ready for the play‑offs." Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna echoed the sentiment, saying, "I thought it was an outstanding game – one of the best in my time, certainly in the Championship. I loved our performance. To do that at this stage of the season, with the form they're in, is a great sign for us as a group.
You probably can't come much closer to promotion than we were at the end, just an inch away. I loved where we're at, and we look forward to Saturday." Looking ahead, the final day promises a packed schedule of decisive fixtures: Blackburn vs Leicester City, Bristol City vs Stoke City, Derby County vs Sheffield United, Hull City vs Norwich City, Ipswich vs QPR, Millwall vs Oxford United, Portsmouth vs Birmingham, Preston vs Southampton, Sheffield Wednesday vs West Brom, Swansea vs Charlton, Watford vs Coventry City, and Wrexham vs Middlesbrough. All matches will be streamed live, offering fans a chance to witness the climax of the promotion race.
For those wanting to stay connected, the Sky Sports app provides live coverage, and the NOW platform offers an alternative way to watch EFL action. As the season draws to a close, the stakes are higher than ever, and every point will determine whether a club celebrates automatic promotion, fights for a play‑off spot, or faces the disappointment of missing out entirely. Fans are encouraged to use a Chrome browser for the most accessible video player experience, ensuring smooth playback of highlights and live streams.
The drama of the Championship continues, and with just one match left, the race for the Premier League remains as thrilling as ever.