Championship roundup: Ipswich tighten grip on second but Coventry made to wait

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Ipswich gave their hopes of automatic promotion a monolithic boost by signaling a hard-fought 2-0 triumph complete Norwich astatine Carrow Road, while Coventry must hold for different time aft being held 0-0 astatine location by Sheffield Wednesday.

Ipswich moved into nan apical two, pinch astatine slightest a crippled successful manus connected their nearest rivals, arsenic first-half goals from Jaden Philogene, pinch a harsh penalty, and George Hirst completed a agelong overdue double complete their East Anglian rivals.

Norwich had much of nan ball, but were disappointment by an awesome protect show from nan visitors, who kept nan number of clearcut chances down to a bare minimum. The conclusion ended immoderate faint chance nan Canaries had of making nan playoffs – though nan truth they are heading for a apical 10 decorativeness is still a singular accomplishment for a broadside who were successful nan bottommost 3 astatine nan commencement of nan year.

Ipswich grabbed nan lead successful arguable manner aft 11 minutes. Anis Ben Slimane accidently caught Jack Taylor arsenic he attempted to hook nan shot clear successful nan area but nan referee, Anthony Backhouse, decided it was a punishment and Philogene sent Vladan Kovacevic nan incorrect measurement from nan spot.

Ipswich doubled their lead conscionable earlier nan break. Darnell Furlong’s agelong propulsion from nan near was flicked connected and an unmarked Hirst volleyed location to springiness his broadside a flattering two-goal advantage. Mohamed Touré past scuffed a changeable wide from a decent position, earlier nan presence of erstwhile Canary Marcelino Núñez disconnected nan Ipswich chair upped nan already frenetic ambiance to moreover higher levels.

George Hirst of Ipswich celebrates scoring astatine Norwich
George Hirst is congratulated aft doubling Ipswich’s advantage. Photograph: Alan Walter/Shutterstock

Town should person made it 3 pursuing a swift counter-attack but Taylor was denied by different fantabulous Kovacevic prevention earlier Núñez, who had picked up a booking, was substituted for his ain bully aft an edgy cameo. It was Ipswich’s first triumph astatine Carrow Road since 2006 and they completed a derby double for nan first clip since 1992-93.

Millwall had gone 2nd overnight but their bid for automatic promotion suffered a rustle aft they were held to a 0-0 tie by West Brom astatine home. Millwall created nan champion chances but Josh Coburn volleyed wide from 5 yards and Mihailo Ivanovic deed nan barroom from long-range.

Coventry missed nan chance to move 1 constituent from promotion to nan Premier League arsenic they were held to a goalless tie by relegated Sheffield Wednesday. Frank Lampard’s broadside could person been promoted if they had beaten nan lowly Owls and Middlesbrough had grounded to hit Portsmouth later successful nan day.

It was conscionable a 3rd constituent of 2026 for Sheffield Wednesday, who collapsed nan Football League grounds by going 37 games without a triumph successful each competitions successful nan process.

Coventry’s Brandon Thomas-Asante shows his frustration
Coventry’s Brandon Thomas-Asante shows his frustration. Photograph: Ryan Browne/Shutterstock

In Saturday’s different early game, QPR and Bristol City maintained their caller unbeaten runs by playing retired a 0-0 tie astatine Loftus Road. The Robins person not mislaid since Roy Hodgson took interim charge, having won their first 2 matches aft nan erstwhile head was fixed nan role. QPR are unbeaten successful 5 matches, but nan consequence did thing for either side’s extracurricular hopes of a playoff spot.

Later connected Saturday, Middlesbrough big Portsmouth successful a crippled pinch implications astatine some ends of nan table. Oxford desperately request a triumph astatine location to Watford, arsenic do Leicester erstwhile Swansea visit.

  • This communicative will beryllium updated

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Source theguardian.com
theguardian.com