Championship: Ipswich Town defeat Southampton to move second

• Southampton hosted Ipswich in the EFL Championship at St Mary’s stadium
• Ipswich came into the match with a good run of form whilst Soton came from a big loss to Leicester City
• Chelsea loanee Omari Hutchinson scored to move Ipswich to second place on the table

Omari Hutchinson, on loan from Chelsea, secured Ipswich Town a 1-0 triumph over Southampton with his first goal for the club in the EFL Championship.

Ipswich Town finds themselves in the second position in the Sky Bet Championship following a remarkable run of four consecutive away victories in the second tier, a feat they haven’t achieved in eight years. On the flip side, Southampton, once a Premier League team and widely predicted to secure an immediate return to the top flight after last season’s relegation, suffered their third consecutive defeat.

Southampton initiated the game with intensity, and within the first five minutes, half of the St Mary’s Stadium crowd thought Adam Armstrong had opened the scoring. Armstrong sent a shot rippling into the side-netting from outside the penalty area.

Ipswich momentarily believed they had taken the lead two minutes later when Conor Chaplin converted Hutchinson’s in-swinging corner from close range. However, the goal was harshly disallowed due to a perceived foul.

Shea Charles had a notable opportunity to test Ipswich goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky, but he headed over the crossbar from a Kyle Walker-Peters cross.

Brandon Williams then sent a header into the stands after rising at the far post to meet Wes Burns’ delivery.

Ipswich seized the advantage on the half-hour mark, exploiting an error by Charles. Hutchinson dispossessed the Northern Ireland international just outside his own penalty area, played a quick one-two with Chaplin, and calmly slotted the ball into the net.

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Ipswich Town players celebrate after Omari Hutchinson scored the winner against Southampton in the EFL Championship on Tuesday, September 19, 2023. | PHOTO: Sky Sports |

Six minutes later, Chaplin replicated the scenario by dispossessing Joe Aribo deep inside Southampton’s half. He lofted his shot over goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, but it struck the top of the crossbar. The rebound fell favorably for George Hirst, but the Ipswich striker couldn’t keep his effort on target.

Southampton faced the wrath of their own supporters, who booed them off at halftime. However, manager Russell Martin resisted the temptation to make any halftime substitutions.

Che Adams had an opportunity to level the score four minutes into the second half, but his shot from a Walker-Peters through ball, 10 yards out, was expertly saved by Hladky.

Bazunu made a crucial save when he dived low to his right to deflect Chaplin’s powerful left-footed volley from 20 yards out.

Martin eventually turned to his substitutes in the 58th minute, introducing experienced Premier League campaigners Jan Bednarek and Stuart Armstrong, as well as winger Kamaldeen Sulemana.

Shortly after Sulemana’s introduction, his teasing low cross caused chaos in the Ipswich penalty area, ultimately resulting in Adam Armstrong’s shot being cleared behind for a corner.

Will Smallbone and Adams both had shots blocked as the Ipswich defense displayed resolute determination to preserve their hard-fought victory.