Ipswich Town: Leicester City beat Southampton to close in on promotion

The Foxes thrashed Southampton in their game in hand, having seen fellow contenders Leeds United take three points in a 4-3 win at Middlesbrough last night. A defeat for Daniel Farke’s men could’ve seen promotion wrapped up at the King Power this evening, but they’ll have to wait until the weekend.

The hosts took the lead in the 25th minute after a dominant spell, albeit that there was controversy in the build-up. Russell Martin was furious as Wout Faes brought down Che Adams, but the referee waved played on as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall sent Abdul Fatawu in behind the Saints’ defence. It looked like he could’ve been in an offside position, but he calmly stroked the ball into the net without the flag being raised.

The Saints played with more intensity and attacking intent after the break, but they found themselves 2-0 down on 62 minutes as Stephy Mavididi was afforded too much time to deliver a cross onto the head of Wilfred Ndidi, who fired the ball into the back of the net.

Fatawu added another one with 75 minutes on the clock, cutting inside from the right flank before curling a stunning strike into the top corner to make it 3-0.

Jamie Vardy got himself on the scoresheet just four minutes later as Fatawu caused chaos down the right once again, playing the unmarked striker into acres of space, where he fired into the net to make it 4-0.

Fatawu then wrapped up the game in the 81st minute, bagging his hat-trick by capping off a rapid counterattack to turn the game into a certified thrashing.

Abdul Fatawu bagged three goals and an assist against the Saints (Image: PA)

The result means that Leicester can be promoted before their next game against Preston North End if Leeds are beaten at QPR on Friday night. Otherwise, a win at Deepdale on Monday night will be enough to see them make an immediate return to the top flight.

Southampton, on the other hand, are set to crash out of the race for a top-two finish, albeit that it isn’t mathematically confirmed. The only way they can secure automatic promotion is if they beat Stoke City and take all three points at Elland Road while both Leeds and Ipswich lose all their remaining games. Even then, it would require a colossal swing in goal difference as well.

The top of the Championship table now reads: Leicester P44 94pts, Leeds P44 90pts, Ipswich P43 89pts, Southampton P44 84pts.

FIXTURES FOR TOWN, THEIR TOP-TWO RIVALS AND UPCOMING OPPONENTS

* 3pm unless stated

Tomorrow: Coventry v Hull (7.45pm)

Fri: QPR v LEEDS (8pm)

Sat: Blackburn v Coventry, Huddersfield v Birmingham, SOUTHAMPTON v Stoke, Hull v IPSWICH (8pm)

Mon, Apr 29: Preston v LEICESTER (8pm)

Tues, Apr 30: Coventry v IPSWICH (8pm)

Sat, May 4 (all 12.30pm): LEICESTER v Blackburn, LEEDS v SOUTHAMPTON, IPSWICH v Huddersfield