Ipswich secure Premier League return after 22 years away as Leeds suffer heartbreak

Ipswich have secured a return to the Premier League with a 2-0 win over Huddersfield, with Leeds, Southampton, West Brom and Norwich set to contest the play-offs

Ipswich are back in the Premier League for the first time in 22 years after Kieran McKenna's side secured promotion with a 2-0 result against Huddersfield.

They are the first club to have secured back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League since Nigel Adkins' Southampton back in 2012 and it is a truly remarkable achievement.

Ipswich started the day three points above promotion rivals Leeds and knew that all they needed was to avoid defeat against Huddersfield to secure a return to the top flight. Wes Burns' 27th minute strike settled some early nerves among the fans and from that moment on the result was never in doubt.

Omari Hutchinson punished some poor defending to double Ipswich's lead shortly after half-time and when referee Simon Hooper blew the final whistle, Portman Road erupted in celebration as the fans charged onto the pitch.

"It's fantastic scenes," Ipswich legend Mick Mills told BBC Radio Suffolk. "I was feeling sorry for Kieran McKenna because he was being engulfed by fans. This is one hell of a picture; the blue smoke, the supporters.

"I'm absolutely delighted. I thought when we got stuck in division one for four years, I wondered if we would ever come back for the Premier League. I grew up linking them to the top level. We are going to big, big places.

"That's where we deserve to be, that's where we should be, that's what the management and the players have given to us. My words for Kieran McKenna - thank you."

Image: Stephen Pond/Getty Images) Stephen Pond/Getty Images) Image: Stephen Pond/Getty Images) Stephen Pond/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Leeds suffered a 2-1 defeat to Southampton at Elland Road and will now have to settle for a play-off place. Daniel Farke's men have racked up an impressive 90 points this season, but they are now one of four sides who will be hoping to earn promotion through the play-offs.

Leeds will go up against Norwich in the semi-finals later this month, while Southampton will take on West Brom. Ipswich's win also condemned Huddersfield to relegation, although survival on the final day was virtually impossible following their 1-1 draw against Birmingham last weekend.

They are joined by Rotherham, whose relegation to League One was confirmed last month, while Birmingham also failed to beat the drop despite a 1-0 win over Norwich. Blackburn, Sheffield Wednesday and Plymouth Argyle also won their games, meaning they will still be plying their trade in the Championship for another season.

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