Time to take a look at what Southampton and Ipswich’s draw means for the final day in terms of Championship promotion permutations.
A win at St Mary’s would have all-but sealed the Tractor Boys’ return to the Premier League, but in the end, they had to settle for a point with Jack Clarke making it 2-2 in the 87th minute.
Wes Burns had put Ipswich ahead shortly after the second half began, before Ryan Manning’s deflected free-kick levelled it for the Saints level.
Cyle Lari then put Southampton 2-1 up with 10 minutes left of the clock, but then came Clarke with an equaliser, meaning the Saints have to settle for the playoffs.
The final day then, Ipswich, who sit 2nd with 81 points, will host 14th place QPR, while 2nd place Millwall, on 80 points, are at home to already relegated Oxford, and Middlesbrough, 3rd with 79 points, travel to Wrexham, who are battling it out with Hull and Derby for the last playoff place.
Following tonight’s stalemate at St Mary’s, Ipswich Town, Millwall and Middlesbrough are in the hunt for second spot ahead going into the final day on Saturday! š
Ipswich know a victory will guarantee them an immediate return to the Premier League. š#ITFC #BORO #Millwall pic.twitter.com/FwVjqXwnvr
ā The Championship Chat Podcast (@Champchatpod24) April 28, 2026
PERMUTATIONS (as per the EFL):
Ipswich need to win at home to QPR to guarantee promotion, regardless of results anywhere else, OR Millwall and Middlesbrough fail to win.
Millwall need to beat Oxford on the final day and hope Ipswich drop points to secure automatic promotion. A draw would require Ipswich to lose by 18 goals and Middlesbrough to fail to win.
Middlesbrough must beat Wrexham to keep their promotion their hopes alive. They also need Millwall to drop points and Ipswich to lose, or Ipswich to draw while winning their own game by six goals – given Ipswich’s superior goals scored tally.
Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna said to Sky Sports, as per BBC Sport’s live blog:
“I thought it was an outstanding game, one of the best certainly in my time here, certainly in the Championship.
“I loved our performance to be honest. To do that at this stage of the season here with form they’re in, I think is a great sign for where we’re at as a group.
“You probably can’t come much closer to getting promoted than we were at the end, it was a matter of inches from the ball going in the net, but I loved where were at and I looking forward to Saturday now.”
On preparing for the final day of the season:
“We pride ourselves on our fitness, we’ve had to build that mentality over the course of the season, it’s been one of the biggest things.
“We were disappointed to lose the lead from 1-0, the deflection’s a little bit lucky then we make one mistake from our press but to go 2-1 down against a team with that much momentum in their stadium, in their last home game and turn it around and equalise and could have had two or three goals…”
Southampton’s Tonda Eckert speaking to Sky Sports:
“I would have enjoyed the game if we got the three points but if you want to make an advertisement for the Championship I think that was the game to watch.
“I think that we started the second half really strong. We conceded off a situation that we should never concede and then we showed where we are as a team, that we are able to turn games back in our direction and we just kept pushing and pushing.
“Compliments to Ipswich today, I think it was two teams finishing on a high coming from a very tough schedule now. Obviously we would have loved to have won but I think overall it was a very good game of football.”
On the energy of his players at this stage of the season:
“It’s crunch time now and that’s not just for us, it’s the same for Ipswich, but you just seen the dedication and we tried absolutely everything to win the game of football. We have clarity now and we need to get ready for the play-offs.”
Ipswich’s Wes Burns said to Sky Sports: “It was really exciting, we knew it was a game someone needed to win and that’s how it was played.
“I think we were unlucky not to win it in the end.”
On needing a win against QPR to clinch promotion: “It’s in our hands, We have to go out there and win it, it’s a massive game,”
Jack Clarke told Sky Sports: “(Kieran McKenna) just said ‘go on and try and calm the game down,’ I’m not sure I did that but i tried my best.
“I think in the end we had a lot more in the tank left than them. We left a few chances out there that cost us a win, but it is what it is, and their keeper made some good games.”
Looking ahead to the QPR game with promotion at stake, he added: “It’s another opportunity to achieve the goal we set at the start of the year.”
Southampton’sĀ Cyle Larin to Sky Sports:
“I think we came out and did as much as we can to win the game.
“I’m just pleased that the fans were behind us and the team was ready today.
“Unfortunately we didn’t win but we’ll take the point and we’ll keep going and see what we can do for the rest of the season and keep pushing from there.”
On Southampton coming back from a goal down to get back into the game:
“We came out strong in the second half, obviously they came and scored and we responded well – we always respond well.
“The team is always responding when we need to and that’s most important and I think we can take that into the rest of the season.”
On his goal:
“That was probably one of my favourite goals here.
“I was struggling a bit with my ankle but happy I scored and just happy how the team responded and fighting because that’s going to be important for the rest of the season.”
Here’s how fans reacted now that we know what Southampton and Ipswich’s draw means for the final day in terms of promotion permutations…
@Dalesey: Ipswich draw, Millwall draw, Boro win 6-0. go up on goal difference UTB
@Project_Boro: I get the horrible hindsight and the āwhat ifās?ā But itās swings & roundabouts. The shit Sheff Wed 1-0 win cancels out the Pompey 1-0 defeat. The late āDella PLEASE!ā Winner cancels out the Bristol City draw. Swings & roundabouts. The penalty at Ipswich is the real sickener.
@Chris_BoroUTB: Morris trips over his own feet and handles the ball in our box in the next game, penalty wasnāt given against us. We did too many things wrong ourselves for me to blame the ref for probably not getting Top 2. From January window to awful individual errors and decisions.
@DarboEatsParmo: Passing on Patrick Bamford for a few million over 18 months looks even worse now š Heās got 11 for Sheffield United since November. A couple of goals from him and weāre already up with the cigars out.
@UTBMACCA1876: All I ask is for a none typical #Boro end of season performance and we win we win well lets say a brilliant performance that lays down a marker at the very least !, even if results don’t go our way. #UTB
@GeorgeHogg93: Wrexham, Hull and Derby fighting for sixth and a home 1st leg. Ipswich, Millwall and Middlesbrough fighting for one automatic spot in the Prem. Millwall fans will be right at it with their side from minute one. The sooner this game is finished I can hibernate #oufc
@KLC_MFC: Call me deluded but Iād rather the pressure be on Ipswich and not us. If we were ahead on points and needing a win – guarantee weād lose. Still need to do our job and win thoughā¦ #millwall
@LB23042: MENTAL. If #Millwall win Saturday and Ipswich fail to win, Millwall will be promoted. What an achievement from Alex and the squad, havenāt even had the chance to deep the fact weāre even in the play offs lol. Need QPR to draw the first half, then the pressure is on
@SPJ91: That 2-2 tonight is the best possible result for #Millwall in my opinion. Would have be utterly dreadful to miss out on goal difference & thatās now incredibly unlikely. Do the job Saturday & see where it takes us, thatās all we can do.
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