Ipswich top after last-gasp winner against Saints

UK
Jeremy Sarmiento's goal came with seconds of a pulsating match remaining
Jeremy Sarmiento’s goal came with seconds of a pulsating match remaining

Jeremy Sarmiento’s goal in the final seconds gave Ipswich Town a dramatic victory over 10-man Southampton and put them top of the Championship.

Leif Davis’ powerful strike was cancelled out a minute later by Che Adams’ equaliser for the visitors.

Adam Armstrong slotted home to give the Saints the lead but Nathan Broadhead levelled in the 68th minute with an instinctive turn and finish.

James Bree was sent off after bringing Davis down with five minutes left, before Sarmiento netted at the death.

The result leaves Ipswich two points in front of Leicester City, having played one game more.

It was also a big blow to Southampton’s slim hopes of automatic promotion.

Ipswich got off to the perfect start, with a lethal strike by Davis into the top left-hand corner opening the scoring.

Portman Road erupted as the ball flew into the net, venomously struck by the left-back, beating keeper Gavin Bazunu at his near post.

Russell Martin’s side equalised immediately when Adams helped on Joe Aribo’s pass into the back of the net.

Stuart Armstrong then made a determined run down the left-hand side before cutting infield and splitting open Ipswich’s defence, finding Adam Armstrong, who fired low into the bottom corner of Vaclav Hladky’s goal to give Southampton the lead.

Ipswich came close to equalising in the 65th minute when Al-Hamadi struck the post.

Broadhead then scored to level the game again with a first-time finish on the spin to beat Bazunu and trigger a deafening roar from the home crowd.

And with seconds remaining, Davis crossed to the penalty spot where Sarmiento mis-kicked before instinctively lashing out with his right foot, nudging the ball beyond Bazunu.

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna told BBC Radio Suffolk:

“I feel really proud of the effort everyone put in there. You have to enjoy moments like that. What a game to be a part of.

“There were so many good things in the performance and so much to improve. It was a real step up for us in quality to play a team like that.

“All of the subs had a great impact and it’s the sign of our culture. All of our players and staff are joyous in the dressing room. We have to enjoy it.”

Southampton head coach Russell Martin told BBC Radio Solent:

“Their (winning) goal came out of nothing. It shouldn’t go in and Gavin (Bazunu) should do better. He’ll know that.

“At 2-2 I thought we’d be the team that could win it but the red card changed everything. We should score more and can’t concede the way we did.

“We came here with so many brilliant performances. It’s so disappointing to lose. We were the best team tonight.

“The performance was great but moments have cost us. There’s 24 points to play for and we have to win every game now.”

Line-ups

Ipswich

Formation 4-2-3-1

  • 31Hladky
  • 40TuanzebeSubstituted forClarkeat 61′minutes
  • 6Woolfenden
  • 15Burgess
  • 3Davis
  • 5MorsyBooked at 16mins
  • 25LuongoSubstituted forTaylorat 61′minutesBooked at 70mins
  • 19JacksonSubstituted forBroadheadat 61′minutes
  • 10ChaplinBooked at 90minsSubstituted forSarmientoat 89′minutes
  • 20Hutchinson
  • 24MooreSubstituted forAl Hamadiat 36′minutes

Substitutes

  • 1Walton
  • 2Clarke
  • 4Edmundson
  • 11Harness
  • 14Taylor
  • 16Al Hamadi
  • 21Sarmiento
  • 28Travis
  • 33Broadhead

Southampton

Formation 4-3-3

  • 31Bazunu
  • 14BreeBooked at 85mins
  • 21Harwood-Bellis
  • 35BednarekBooked at 90mins
  • 5Stephens
  • 7AriboSubstituted forRothwellat 82′minutes
  • 4Downes
  • 17S ArmstrongSubstituted forSmallboneat 82′minutes
  • 9A Armstrong
  • 10AdamsSubstituted forEdozieat 77′minutes
  • 26FraserSubstituted forBrooksat 71′minutes

Substitutes

  • 2Walker-Peters
  • 3Manning
  • 13Lumley
  • 16Smallbone
  • 18Mara
  • 19Rothwell
  • 20Sulemana
  • 23Edozie
  • 36Brooks

Referee:
Michael Salisbury

Attendance:
29,393

Match Stats

Live Text

  1. Match ends, Ipswich Town 3, Southampton 2.

  2. Second Half ends, Ipswich Town 3, Southampton 2.

  3. Conor Chaplin (Ipswich Town) is shown the yellow card.

  4. Goal! Ipswich Town 3, Southampton 2. Jeremy Sarmiento (Ipswich Town) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Leif Davis.

  5. Attempt saved. Nathan Broadhead (Ipswich Town) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the centre of the goal.

  6. Jan Bednarek (Southampton) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  7. Foul by Jan Bednarek (Southampton).

  8. Ali Al Hamadi (Ipswich Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  9. Corner, Southampton. Conceded by Luke Woolfenden.

  10. Offside, Southampton. Adam Armstrong is caught offside.

  11. Corner, Southampton. Conceded by Harry Clarke.

  12. Substitution, Ipswich Town. Jeremy Sarmiento replaces Conor Chaplin.

  13. Offside, Ipswich Town. Leif Davis is caught offside.

  14. Attempt blocked. Nathan Broadhead (Ipswich Town) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Leif Davis.

  15. Samuel Edozie (Southampton) wins a free kick on the left wing.

  16. Foul by Harry Clarke (Ipswich Town).

  17. Attempt blocked. Nathan Broadhead (Ipswich Town) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Jack Taylor.

  18. James Bree (Southampton) is shown the red card.

  19. Foul by James Bree (Southampton).

  20. Leif Davis (Ipswich Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half.