Super-sub Sarmiento’s late strike caps incredible Ipswich fightback

A scintillating game between these two Championship rivals was decided only after six minutes of added time when Ipswich Town completed an incredible comeback to stun Southampton.

The hero of the evening was Ipswich substitute Jeremy Sarmiento who latched onto a low cross from overlapping full-back Leif Davis, who had moments earlier been grounded with a bout of cramp.

Brighton and Hove Albion loanee Sarmiento missed his initial kick, fell over, got up and poked the ball past Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu. From 2-1 down, Ipswich rallied to win 3-2, Cue mayhem.

Ipswich have now won nine out of their last 10 league games and have shown they have the strength of character and the reservoir of resilience to go with their flair undoubted flair.

“A moment to cherish,” smiled Kieran McKenna, the Ipswich manager. “Winning games late is a good habit, but it doesn’t happen by chance. You can never be certain and I didn’t know we were going to win, but I did know what I was going to get from us: we won’t stop, we won’t  drop heads. That helps us get late goals.”

As Southampton manager Russell Martin argued, his swashbuckling team enjoyed vast swathes of dominance, but naïve game management intervened and, for Ipswich’s winner, Davis ran into the space where the dismissed James Bree once patrolled.

“This hurt a lot,” said Martin. “We had 17 shots, five huge chances and they had relatively little. I take a huge amount of confidence and encouragement from how brilliantly we played. Nobody can say anything different than that we were dominant. It hurts a lot.”

Southampton came to Suffolk in stuttering form, but still very much part of the four-way scrap for automatic Championship promotion places. “We’ve seven games left,” noted Martin. “If we win them all, as I believe we can, that’s 98 points”.

Before half an hour had passed, Southampton had gone behind and then swept in front.

First Jan Bednarek’s headed clearance fell to Ipswich’s cultured captain, Sam Morsy. The Egypt international had the time and space to pick out the overlapping Davis, whose rocket flew past a startled Bazunu at his near post.

The crowd was still cheering when Southampton instantly equalised. Adam Armstrong pinged the ball into the edge of the area, Joe Aribo played it deeper into danger and Che Adams beat Vaclav Hladky in finest predator fashion.

Still Southampton came at Ipswich and they were soon ahead. Stuart Armstrong cut in form the left. His glorious curved pass to the back of the area  cut out the entire home defence. Adam Armstrong saw what those in blue shirts had not and, to the anguish of the watching Ed Sheeran, he drilled in his first away Championship goal since October. It might have been more before the break, but Fraser screwed his shot just wide from the most acute of angles. Seven added first half minutes boosted the home crowd but not the home team.

“We were calm at half-time,” said McKenna. “There wasn’t too much wrong. We just had to adjust a little.”

Southampton’s approach revolved around the industrious Flynn Downes who pulled every midfield string and the wily Armstrongs and only three splendid Hladky saves and one Cameron Burgess interception prevented the visitors from running away with the evening.

In contrast, Ipswich were sluggish, missing Edmundson’s composure at the back and struggling to break out of midfield, while sole striker Keiffer Moore – who had hobbled off during the first half – and his replacement Ali Al-Hamadi were offered too little support, too infrequently.

A triple substitution just after the hour, transformed the game. Al-Hamadi rattled Bazunu’s post to show the beast had stirred and then another speedy Davis overlap ended with one substitute, Jack Taylor, finding another, Nathan Broadhead, who curled an exquisite equaliser past Bazunu.

Where once it had been all Southampton, now it was all Ipswich, until in the space of 30 crazy seconds at one end Jack Stephens was foiled by Hladky from point blank range and at the other, Stephens could have been sent off after felling Omari Hutchinson with a shirt pull  as Ipswich poured forwards.

Stephens may have escaped dismissal, but minutes later, Bree did not. Morsy lobbed a ball forwards and not for the first time – but certainly for the last – Davis nipped in behind the full back and charged forwards. Bree hauled him down and off he went.

As in the first half, there were seven added minutes. Ipswich’s 11 men and Southampton’s 10 both slugged it out for the winner, but as the 96th minute was about to become the 97th, Davis ran into the area Bree once patrolled, squared the ball and Sarmiento did the rest in his own inimitable fashion. What a game.

Ipswich 3 Southampton 2: as it happened

07:48 PM BST

Ispwich match winner Jeremy Sarmiento

07:46 PM BST

Full-time: Ipswich 3 Southampton 2

Ipswich go to the top of the Championship after a remarkable game at Portman Road. Sarmiento came off the bench to score the winner and send the crowd at Portman Road wild!

Southampton dominated possession at times leading the game courtesy of goals from Che Adams and Adam Armstrong –  but then had James Bree sent off.

Leif Davis put the hosts ahead and was involved with the move that saw Nathan Broadhead score. However, fellow sub Sarmiento will take the headlines after delivering the winner for the Ipswich.

07:40 PM BST

From our man on the ground . . .

Oh my, Ipswich have only gone and won it. Penalty area ping pong.  97^th minute. Jeremy Sarmiento.  The place has exploded. How on earth did that happen? What a game, what a game and, furthermore, what a game.

07:37 PM BST

90+7 minutes: Ipswich 3 Southampton 2

GOOOOAAALL!

The Championship race take another plot twist as Ipswich find the winner!

A diagonal ball finds Davis on the left, where he has the space in the absence of James Bree. He cleverly picks out Sarmiento with a low cross – he gets to his feet and squirms his effort into the bottom of the corner.

07:32 PM BST

90+4 minutes: Ipswich 2 Southampton 2

Southampton are continuing to press despite being a player down. The visitors press through Samuel Edozie down the left-hand side, but Sam Morsy cleverly drops back.

Ipswich look to play Al-Hamadi and utilise his pace but Jan Bednarek zooms across and defends his line well.

07:30 PM BST

90+2 minutes: Ipswich 2 Southampton 2

What a break from Ipswich as Leif Davies and Nathan Broadhead win possession and break for the hosts.

Broadhead tries to square to his team-mates but the shot is blocked by Southampton – who look stretched now.

07:28 PM BST

90 minutes: Ipswich 2 Southampton 2

Seven minutes added on at Portman Road.

Adam Armstrong wins a corner from Clarke but Ipswich clear well with the visitors having to go all the way back to Gavin Bazunu.

07:26 PM BST

88 minutes: Ipswich 2 Southampton 2

Stephens may have escaped dismissal,  but James Bree hasn’t. He’s off for pulling down Leif Davis inches outside the penalty area. Whatever next?

07:25 PM BST

86 minutes: Ipswich 2 Southampton 2

Red Card

Late drama at Portman Road, as James Bree is caught out with an excellent ball – with Davis bringing it down superbly and racing towards the goal for Ipswich

Bree seems to panic and drags Davis down with the referee bringing out the red card immediately.

07:23 PM BST

84 minutes: Ipswich 2 Southampton 2

Southampton are starting to pose a real threat down the right – with James Bree finding space to bend the ball in the box but Ipswich goalkeeper Hladky claims easily.

07:21 PM BST

82 minutes: Ipswich 2 Southampton 2

The visitors are trying to hit Ipswich on the break with Hutchinson taking Southampton down the pitch, they’re into the box with the cross looking decent but it is cleared well by Ipswich.

07:19 PM BST

80 minutes: Ipswich 2 Southampton 2

We are into the final 10 minutes at Portman road – Edozie and Hutchinson are leading the charge for Southampton

Russell Martin makes two chances with Aribo and Stuart Armstrong off for Smallbone and Rothwell.

07:17 PM BST

78 minutes: Ipswich 2 Southampton 2

Once it was all Southampton. Now it’s all Ipswich, except that in the space of 30 crazy seconds, Jack Stephens should have scored at one end and then should have been sent off for hauling down Omari Hutchinson at the other. Such is the magic of the Championship.

07:16 PM BST

76 minutes: Ipswich 2 Southampton 2

Goal scorer Che Adams is replaced by Edozie – with Adam Armstrong moving up front for Southampton.

07:15 PM BST

74 minutes: Ipswich 2 Southampton 2

Ipswich are lot more clinical than Southampton now –  as they steal the ball before launching a counter-attack.

Forward Al-Hamadi leads the charge for the hosts but runs into traffic at the edge of the box.

The ball then falls back for Conor Chaplin - who wastes it with a wild shot.

07:11 PM BST

72 minutes: Ipswich 2 Southampton 2

The Suffolk kraken has stirred. A triple substitution has injected some hitherto elusive vim and vigour, Al-Hamadi’s hit the post and one of the new trio, Nathan Broadhead, has equalised. Game on and it’s bedlam.

07:10 PM BST

70 minutes: Ipswich 2 Southampton 2

The momentum is shifting here at Portman Road as Gavin Bazunu is hassled into a poor clearance and gives hosts a chance.

The goalkeeper is tested once more as Sam Morsy fires a shot from range.

07:06 PM BST

68 minutes: Ipswich 1 Southampton 2

GOOOOAAALL!

The hosts are level! Moments ago Al-Hamadi should have scored but they strike back through another substitute.

Leif Davies moves the ball nicely back to Taylor, who finds Nathan Broadhand inside the box.

The striker catches out Gavin Bazunu, who finds the bottom corner of the net.

07:04 PM BST

65 minutes: Ipswich 1 Southampton 2

What a chance for hosts!

Al-Hamadi should have scored for Ipswich as Broadhead carried the ball forward before moving it to the forward who slipped just before he fires in a shot from the edge of the box!

07:02 PM BST

63 minutes: Ipswich 1 Southampton 2

Jack Taylor, Harry Clarke and Nathan Broadhead come on for the hosts. Kayden Jackson, Axel Tuanzebe and Massimo Luongo come off.

Jan Bednarek could soon be joining them as he is moving with real difficulty. How long will he last?

07:01 PM BST

61 minutes: Ipswich 1 Southampton 2

Ryan Fraser has started the second-half superbly for the visitors. He is set away by a through-ball from Downes but goalkeeper Hladky denies him.

Kieran McKenna reacts to his current plight on the pitch – he rings on the changes.

06:58 PM BST

59 minutes: Ipswich 1 Southampton 2

Southampton are looking stronger still. Vaclav Hladky’s made three fine second half saves and Cameron Burgess one goal-saving interception. Whatever Kieren McKenna’s Plan A was, it hasn’t worked. No sign of a Plan B yet and both crowd and players are becoming increasingly frustrated. Even Conor Chaplin’s looking rusty.

06:57 PM BST

57 minutes: Ipswich 1 Southampton 2

Ryan Fraser looked like he was about to kill the game off for Southampton after a beautiful ball from Axel Tuanzebe – but the visitors effort is denied by the hosts.

06:54 PM BST

55 minutes: Ipswich 1 Southampton 2

The pressure is mounting for the hosts as Che Adams sees Southampton gain position in the box – but his chipped cross is headed away by the Ipswich defence.

The hosts are starved of possession right now – how long will Kieran McKenna wait to make changes?

06:50 PM BST

53 minutes: Ipswich 1 Southampton 2

What a brilliant ball from James Bree – it was heading for the far corner but Hladky tips it wide with a great save!

Ipswich goalkeeper is called into action again as Adam Armstrong’s shot just goes wide from inside the box.

06:48 PM BST

51 minutes: Ipswich 1 Southampton 2

A decent chance for Southampton who are awarded a free-kick after Jackson tangled with Fraser on the left.

Can Southampton take the chance and swing a cross into the box?

06:47 PM BST

49 minutes: Ipswich 1 Southampton 2

Stuart Armstrong is caught by Luongo as the visitors try to break on the counter. Adams receives the ball on the edge of the area but drags his shot wide.

06:45 PM BST

47 minutes: Ipswich 1 Southampton 2

The hosts have started well with Hutchinson sending a low cross from the left-hand side but it is just slightly behind his team-mates.

It is the start that Ipswich needed, as the crowd at Portman Road is getting behind their team as they look to find an equaliser.

06:42 PM BST

45 minutes: Ipswich 1 Southampton 2

Ipswich get us underway again at Portman Road. It is a huge 45 minutes for both sides – as they push for automatic qualification to the Premier League.

06:39 PM BST

Look who is in town . . .

06:31 PM BST

Half-time: Ipswich 1 Southampton 2

A few boos are ringing out at Portman Road – although as John Aizlewood has reported – this is likely aimed at referee Michal Salisbury.

Southampton have been superb in the first-half! Despite, Leif Davis stunning opener for Ipswich, the visitors have controlled the game and have scored some impressive goals courtesy of Che Adams and Adam Armstrong.

Kieran McKenna has plenty to do at half-time to get his side back into this game.

06:27 PM BST

45+7 minutes: Ipswich 1 Southampton 2

Referee Michal Salisbury seems to be upsetting the home fans for reasons far from clear. They were though delighted to see he’d decided upon seven added minutes. Even then Southampton came closest. They need to keep on keeping on. Ipswich may need to jubble personnel and style. Neither defence looks especially watertight.

06:26 PM BST

45+5 minutes: Ipswich 1 Southampton 2

The corner for Southampton comes out to Stuart Armstrong, who threads a decent pass into Stephens.

However, Ipswich race to block his line – before the off-side flag is raised.

06:25 PM BST

45+3 minutes: Ipswich 1 Southampton 2

A late corner for the visitors after another impressive move which started at the back with Bazunu.

06:23 PM BST

45+1 minutes: Ipswich 1 Southampton 2

Seven minutes added on at Portman Road.

The visitors are pushing the ball between the lines to get beyond the Ipswich’s defence - the chances are opening up for Southampton as we approach half-time.

06:22 PM BST

44 minutes: Ipswich 1 Southampton 2

Southampton have been brilliant in the first-half and you sense they aren’t far away from scoring their third goal.

Che Adams works the ball wide to Adam Armstrong, who bends a left-footed effort just over the bar.

06:20 PM BST

42 minutes: Ipswich 1 Southampton 2

A great piece of goalkeeping from Gavin Bazunu, who’s off the line quick to cut out Tuanzebe’s pass to Al-Hamadi.

06:18 PM BST

40 minutes: Ipswich 1 Southampton 2

Not sure why Ipswich are continuing to play from the back –  they are playing some incredibly sloppy stuff and again the visitors nearly capitalised on the mistake.

Stuart Armstrong collects a loose pass and rolls into Ryan Fraser - but sadly his attempt to reverse his shot on goal is just wide.

06:16 PM BST

38 minutes: Ipswich 1 Southampton 2

The visitors swing a cross-fielder to Ryan Fraser, as they try and pounce off a mistake from Leif Davis’ mistake in midfield. 

However, Ipswich are quick to sort out the mess.

06:14 PM BST

36 minutes: Ipswich 1 Southampton 2

A penalty appeal from Kayden Jackson who looked to latch onto a decent flick behind the visitors defence before going down.

The referee waves the claim away quickly for the hosts – the protests were mainly coming from the stands.

06:11 PM BST

34 minutes: Ipswich 1 Southampton 2

Doesn’t look good for Kieffer Moore who appears to have a problem with his back – Al- Hamadi comes in for the striker.

06:10 PM BST

32 minutes: Ipswich 1 Southampton 2

What a chance for Conor Chaplin – it was a brilliant move from the forward who the chipped the ball out to Davis on the left.

Davies slides a cross along the edge of the box for Ipswich –  it was decent chance for the hosts to whip the ball into the corner but sadly he scruffs the shot straight to the Southampton defence.

06:06 PM BST

30 minutes: Ipswich 1 Southampton 2

Two contrasting styles. Ipswich focusing on finding Kieffer Moore and Moore, in turn, finding those who then rush to support him.

Southampton more of a unit, but everything’s going through Flynn Downes. They’ve both scored. First Ipswich: Sam Morsy was given the freedom of Suffolk to cross and Leif Davis smacked the ball past a rather laissez-faire Gavin Bazunu. Seconds later, Southampton swept forwards and Joe Aribo found Che Adams who poked home, predator style. “You only sing when you’re winning,” chant the Southampton fans, which doesn’t seem wholly fair…

06:05 PM BST

28 minutes: Ipswich 1 Southampton 2

The hosts have become rattled after Southampton’s second goal – losing the ball as they look to try and play from the back.

Tuzanzebe has just been penalised for a handball in a dangerous area outside the box – on replay does seem a little harsh.

06:02 PM BST

26 minutes: Ipswich 1 Southampton 2

Number two for Southampton. Stuart Armstrong crosses low, through where the Ipswich defence might have been expected to be. Adam Armstrong strokes home from about 10 yards. And they’re still hunting Ipswich down, especially down Ipswich’s right where Axel Tuanzebe isn’t getting to grips with little Ryan Fraser at all.

05:59 PM BST

24 minutes: Ipswich 1 Southampton 2

GOOOOAAALL!

What a game Southampton are having! It was brilliant from Stuart Armstrong who passes several Ipswich players before threading a beautiful pass to Adam Armstrong.

The striker races down the right before burying the shot beyond the Ipswich goalkeeper – what a turnaround for the visitors!

05:57 PM BST

22 minutes: Ipswich 1 Southampton 1

Southampton are dominating here at Portman Road – you sense another goal is coming . ..

05:56 PM BST

18 minutes: Ipswich 1 Southampton 1

Southampton are causing problems for Ipswich – Fraser on the left-wing picks out Aribo at the far post.

He tries to pick out Adam Armstrong but the shot is blocked by the Ipswich’s defenders.

05:53 PM BST

16 minutes: Ipswich 1 Southampton 1

First yellow card of the game as Morsey is booked for tripping Downes as the midfielder dribbled towards goal.

05:51 PM BST

14 minutes: Ipswich 1 Southampton 1

GOOOOAAALL!

What a way to respond from the visitors! They are level with seconds of the restart at Portman Road. Southampton work the ball well to Adam Armstrong on the right-hand side.

Aribo could not control the cross but it dropped perfectly for Adams to bury the loose ball into the net. The hosts were appealing for offside but replays showed Davis was playing the striker onside.

05:47 PM BST

12 minutes: Ipswich 1 Southampton 0

GOOOOAAALL!

The hosts may have had less of the ball but they have been more threatening once they hold possession.

Leif Davis takes just one touch before smashing the shot inside the near post.  Southampton’ Bazunu might be disappointed but the shot had so power in it – not sure he stood a chance.

05:44 PM BST

9 minutes: Ipswich 0 Southampton 0

The visitors still have plenty of possession with Steven Davies dragging his shot from range – well wide.

05:40 PM BST

7 minutes: Ipswich 0 Southampton 0

The hosts are now finding their rhythm – finding joy on the right-hand side but a low cross was defended well by Southampton.

However, first real chance of the game has come for Southampton – with Adam Armstrong taking aim from edge of the box but the hosts race out the block.

05:38 PM BST

5 minutes: Ipswich 0 Southampton 0

The visitors have started with plenty of possession – but it was a loose pass from James Bree which gifted the ball to Moore deep into his own half.

It was a good opportunity for the hosts to bring players forward from a long throw.

05:36 PM BST

3 minutes: Ipswich 0 Southampton 0

It’s dry, it’s sunny and it’s KC & The Sunshine Band on the PA. After Friday’s goalkeeper-assisted triumph at Blackburn, Ipswich have re-shuffled but gently, Nathan Broadhead and George Edmundson make way for Cameron Burgess and Kayden Jackson. A win will take them top of the Championship, whatever Leeds do in the 8pm kickoff.

A draw will do it too, should Leeds lose to Hull. Win, lose or draw, Southampton will wake up tomorrow morning in fourth place, but they’ll still have a game in hand on Leeds and Leicester and two on Ipswich. Three changes for them.

05:33 PM BST

Mouthwatering game in the Championship

And we are underway at Portman Road . .

The crowd are in great voice tonight with their version of Hey Jude - can Ipswich go top with a victory? Southampton need to win to keep their automatic qualifications hopes alive.

05:29 PM BST

Here comes the teams..

Both teams are making their way onto the field at Portman Road and we are just moments away from kick-off.

05:27 PM BST

Kieran McKeena expects a fiery encounter

05:25 PM BST

Championship headlines so far on Easter Monday . .

• Leicester go back to the top of the table after 3-1 win over sixth-placed Norwich.

• Rotherham’s survival hopes are still alive after they beat Millwall 2-1.

• Blackburn battered Sunderland 5-1 at the Stadium of Light.

• Birmingham claim their first win since February with 1-0 win over Preston.

• Meanwhile, West Brom fight back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Watford.

• QPR are six points clear of the relegation zone after winning 1-0 at Swansea.

• Plymouth lose 1-0 to Bristol City –  slipping close to the danger zone.

05:17 PM BST

The players arriving at Portman Road

05:14 PM BST

Full-time scores in the Championship

• Leicester 3 Norwich 1

• Brighton 1 Preston 0

• Coventry 1 Cardiff 2

• Middlesbrough 2 Sheffield Wednesday 0

• Plymouth 0 Bristol City 1

• Rotherham 2 Millwall 1

• Stoke 1 Huddersfield 1

• Sunderland 1 Blackburn 5

• West Brow 2 Watford 2

05:11 PM BST

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05:10 PM BST

Ryan Fraser starts for Southampton tonight

Three changes to the Southampton starting XI that draw with Middlesbrough on Good Friday. Russell Martin brings in Jan Bednarek, Joe Aribo and former Ipswich Town loanee Ryan Fraser – who makes his first start since suffering a knee injury in February.

First time Ipswich Town academy graduate Flynn Downes is back at Portman Road for a competitive game.

Kyle Walker-Peters, Will Smallbone and Kamaldeen Sulemana drop to the bench.

Southampton: Bazunu, Harwood-Bellis, Stephens, Bednarek, Bree, Aribo, Downes, Stuart Armstrong, Adam Armstrong, Adams, Fraser.

Substitutes: Walker-Peters, Manning, Lumley, Smallbone, Mara, Rothwell, Sulemana, Edozie, Brooks

05:03 PM BST

The hosts selection tonight

Two changes for the team that beat Blackburn Rovers on Good Friday. Kieran McKenna brings in Cameron Burgess and Kayden Jackson for George Edmundson and Nathan Broadhead.

Ipswich: Hladky, Tuanzebe, Woolfenden, Burgess, Davis, Morsy, Luongo, Giraud-Hutchinson, Chaplin, Jackson, Moore

Substitutes: Walton, Clarke, Edmundson, Harness, Taylor, Al Hamadi, Sarmiento, Travis, Broadhead.

04:44 PM BST

Current scores in the Championship

• Brighton 1 Preston 0

• Coventry 1 Cardiff 2

• Middlesbrough 2 Sheffield Wednesday 0

• Plymouth 0 Bristol City 1

• Rotherham 1 Millwall 1

• Stoke 1 Huddersfield 1

• Sunderland 1 Blackburn 4

• West Brow 1 Watford 2

04:39 PM BST

And the Southampton starting XI for tonight

04:38 PM BST

Here’s how Ipswich line up

04:37 PM BST

Ipswich will look to hurt Southampton’s automatic promotion hopes

Southampton visit Portman Road in one of the biggest matches of the Championship season so far on Easter Monday.

The hosts are currently second in the table, with Southampton trailing the top three – but with games in hand.

Ipswich rode their luck against Blackburn Rovers but ultimately emerged triumphant on Good Friday – Conor Chaplin’s early strike proved decisive for Ipswich with Aynsley Pears’ error allowed the ball to squirm into the net.

Meanwhile, Southampton will rue their performance against Middlesbrough on Friday – Russell Martin’s side only managed a draw which have dented their hopes of challenging for a top-two place.

However, Southampton still head to Portman Road, harbouring ambitions of cracking the Championship’s top two spots, even if their hopes are far more fanciful at this point.

After ending February with a humbling four defeats from five games in the league, Russell Martin’s side have rediscovered their form to take seven points from a possible nine during their Championship games in March.

They are still ten points behind second-placed Ipswich and in with a chance for the play-offs. However, the visitors will hope for a good result tonight to relaunch their hopes of automatic qualification into the Premier League.

Speaking ahead of their visit to Portman Road, Southampton manager Russell Martin said; “I think the pressure can work one of two ways.

“You either go into the game and you have that feeling of heavy legs and butterflies in your stomach and it completely takes over and you can’t quite get to that level you need.

“Or you feel it all and you’re able to get there and play the game in a special and brilliant way. I always loved the games way more when they had something on it.

“It was just my personality as a player. I loved the big occasions. I’m pretty sure we have a lot of players who will feel the same.

“I look back at the Leeds game at home which we came through brilliantly. We have to do the same again on Monday.”

Full team news on the way shortly.

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