Newcastle took one step closer to the Champions League, albeit with a stumble at times. Ipswich placed two feet in the Championship. They face-planted a long time ago.
The mathematics of relegation were belatedly confirmed at St James’ Park, but the numbers have not added up all season. One win in 2025 tells the story of their resistance. Or rather, the absence of it.
In truth, the Tractor Boys have ploughed their way through. It has been hard work. Underdogs, of course, but they’ve barely raised a bark, never mind a bite. Only the ineptitude of Southampton and Leicester has spared them more scrutiny.
The disappointment is that they could have been better. They have a bright head coach in Kieran McKenna and a clutch of decent players. Liam Delap furthered his reputation here – in front of one of many potential suitors – with a robust centre-forward display.
Indeed this, until Ben Johnson’s brainless red card in the 37th minute, was one of Ipswich’s more encouraging performances. They had limited Newcastle to one shot off target and might have scored if not for some careless execution in the final third. They were organised, aggressive and in the game. Then, much like their campaign as a whole, they went down without a fight.
Come the end, it was the gentle return for which Eddie Howe had hoped. He watched from his sickbed last weekend as his team were stuffed at Aston Villa. For once, the dugout made for a more comfortable setting. Not that the viewing was particularly pleasant during the opening half hour or so.
Ipswich Town have been relegated from the Premier League at the first time of asking
The Tractor Boys have only won four games all season after two consecutive promotions
Kieran McKenna watched on as his side met the fate many had predicted for them this season
‘It was difficult and we expected that,’ said Howe. ‘It was a day to be patient.’
It seems strange to reflect now, after Newcastle recorded a league-high 78 per cent possession, but they crawled out of the blocks. Alexander Isak is ordinarily a riddle for the opposition. The mystery for Newcastle in recent weeks has been the increasing anonymity of their star striker. After half an hour, he had completed one pass. Then, in the space of 60 seconds, came two chances missed. The first, a header from eight yards, went wide. The second, a volley from similar distance, went high. Neither finish was convincing.
It felt like a half of little excitement would expire with Isak’s contribution being the talking point. And so it did, but only because his skill forced the dismissal of Johnson and then, in stoppage-time, he converted a penalty for his 22nd goal of the Premier League season. Only Mo Salah has more.
Newcastle were aided by referee Michael Salisbury. Not because he was good. More so because his muddled decision-making – for and against them – helped stoke the team and the crowd. He disallowed a Bruno Guimaraes goal after Ipswich goalkeeper Alex Palmer walked into the midfielder and fell over. That injustice – unsurprisingly supported by VAR – snapped Newcastle from their early slumber.
Johnson was already on a yellow for a dive – later contested by McKenna, and understandably so – when Isak danced by him on the touchline and he tugged the Swede to the ground. The right back was soon making the short walk the other side of the white line.
Salisbury spotted that but he did not see Julio Enciso’s pull on Jacob Murphy just seconds before half-time. VAR did and Isak side-footed home from 12 yards to give Newcastle a timely lead.
‘That goal was a massive turning point,’ said Howe.
The second half was much more routine and the class of Sandro Tonali and Kieran Trippier eased Newcastle to victory. Dan Burn scored a 56th-minute header from Trippier’s cross, and the supplier provided the delivery for Will Osula to head his first Premier League goal 10 minutes from time. The contest was long since over by then, much like Ipswich’s season.
Alexander Isak opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the first half at St James’ Park
Dan Burn doubled Newcastle’s lead in the second half to rub salt into the wounds of Ipswich
William Osula scored his first Premier League goal as Newcastle boosted their Champions League hopes
Ipswich applauded the travelling fans who have stuck by the club in a challenging season
Eddie Howe made a winning return to the dugout after being hospitalised with pneumonia
Bruno Guimaraes had a goal ruled out after a VAR check, despite his protestations
Ipswich Town make an immediate return to the Championship with Southampton and Leicester
‘We’ve tried to do the right thing in what is a pretty unique jump from League One to the Premier League,’ said McKenna. ‘I think we’ve been competitive for the most part.’
For the most part was not long enough. Newcastle, by comparison, have won 20 of their last 26 matches in all competitions. That is a remarkable run of consistency that should see them sign off with a first domestic trophy in 70 years and a return to the Champions League.
If so, it will rank as their most memorable season in living memory. The same cannot be said for Ipswich.
