Town’s relegation from the Premier League after only one season was finally confirmed after the 10-man Blues were beaten 3-0 by Newcastle United at St James’ Park. Town will have been pleased with their performance until Ben Johnson became the fifth Blues player to see red this season on 37 for two bookable offences - the first highly controversial - before Alexander Isak gave the Magpies the lead from the spot in first-half injury time, then Dan Burn added a second 11 minutes after the restart and Will Osula added the third on 80.

Injury and suspension-hit Town made four changes from last week’s 4-0 loss at home to Arsenal with Liam Delap, Luke Woolfenden, Cameron Burgess and Jack Taylor returning to the XI.

Woolfenden came in at right centre-half with Dara O’Shea moving to right-back with Axel Tuanzebe absent, presumably due to a knock.

Burgess was back at left centre-half with Jacob Greaves moving to left-back with Newcastle-born boyhood Magpies fan Leif Davis suspended following his red card last week.

Taylor was in midfield alongside skipper Sam Morsy with Jens Cajuste dropping to the bench, again probably due to a minor injury.

Delap, a sub for the last two matches due to a rib injury, returned as the central striker with George Hirst dropping to the bench.

While 10 were missing due to injury or suspension, Omari Hutchinson was back on the bench following his hamstring injury. Youngsters Somto Boniface and Tommy Taylor were also among the subs.

Newcastle made one change from the team which started the previous seven games with Joelinton having picked up an injury and Joe Willock coming into the team. Former Town academy youngster Nick Pope was in goal.

Town started brightly and were the first to take a shot at goal, former Sunderland man Jack Clarke picking up a loose Burn pass and then hitting a shot which deflected wide for a corner. From the flag-kick, the ball reached Delap beyond the far post but his strike was blocked.

But the home side quickly began to take control and dominate possession with Burgess and Greaves both heading away crosses into the box.

On 10, Jacob Murphy sent a dangerous low ball across the edge of the six-yard area but fortunately for Town with no one on hand to add the final touch.

Three minutes later, Fabian Schar failed to clear having dispossessed Julio Enciso and Delap seized upon it and hit a low which which deflected behind.

In the 18th minute, Delap picked up an overhit Newcastle corner in the right-back position and drove forward leaving Burn behind him but his pass to the unmarked Enciso breaking down the middle was too far in front of the Paraguayan and home keeper Pope was able to claim. A better ball and the on-loan Brighton man would have been in on goal.

Four minutes later, the Magpies had the ball in the net, but the goal was ruled out. O’Shea headed a cross from the right straight up in the air, keeper Alex Palmer looked to punch but was bundled over by Bruno Guimaraes as the Magpies skipper headed into the net. Referee Michael Salisbury immediately blew for a foul on the keeper and VAR upheld the decision, much to the annoyance of the home fans.

On 28, there was a VAR check after a clash between Morsy and Willock, the Newcastle man having had a pop at the Town skipper earlier in the half. On this occasion, Morsy had pulled the ex-Arsenal man over and was the subject of the check, but no action was taken.

On the half hour, Johnson was shown the game’s first yellow card after breaking towards the area past one defender before being felled by Burn’s outstretched leg just outside the box. However, referee Salisbury inexplicably judged that Johnson had dived and booked him. Two minutes later, Enciso shot over from well out on the right.

Newcastle created their first big chance of the game in the 35th minute. Murphy floated a cross into the box and Isak, who bagged a hat-trick in the game at Portman Road, heading over when the Sweden international will feel he should have done better.

Within seconds, Isak had another opportunity, another cross from the right reaching him but this time he scuffed his volley wide.

Two minutes later, Town were reduced to 10 men. Johnson, already on a yellow card following the controversial dive decision, hauled back Isak on the Newcastle left. It was a clear booking and following the earlier decision referee Salisbury issued Town’s fifth red card of the season and Johnson’s first of his career.

While the second caution was difficult to contest, the first was as poor as the one issued to Tuanzebe at Aston Villa earlier in the season and for a second time this season, Town were made to pay for what seems to be an anomaly of VAR that yellow cards which lead to red cards aren’t checked while all straight dismissals are.

Newcastle sought to turn the screw following the dismissal but with Town remaining resolute in defence. On 40, Clarke was sacrificed for Ben Godfrey, making his first Blues appearance in more than two months.

The Town goal began to lead a charmed life, O’Shea somehow diverting a low Murphy cross from the right away from the line and out for a corner off Palmer.

On 42, Woolfenden somehow kept out Guimaraes’s overhead kick, the Town centre-half diverting it over for a corner.

Burn and Delap repeatedly clashed holding up the restart and eventually referee Salisbury booked both of them. The pair subsequently ended up on the turf again after the corner was taken but no further action was taken.

As the half moved into its scheduled final minute, Isak scuffed another shot away, the ball falling to Murphy, whose shot struck Palmer’s post with the keeper perhaps getting a touch on its way.

Seconds later, the home side were awarded a penalty. Enciso pulled at Murphy as the ex-Norwich youngster burst past him into the area. Initially, referee Salisbury waved away the protests but after a VAR check took a second look and pointed to the spot.

Isak confidently beat Palmer from the spot to claim his fourth goal against Town this season.

There was no further action in a half which had been going as well as might have been hoped for Town until Johnson’s red card, or perhaps the former West Ham man’s first wrongly awarded first yellow card.

The Blues had defended steadfastly at one end, while creating one or two openings at the other.

However, the red card saw the home side put Town under more pressure with chances coming more frequently before Enciso gave the referee and VAR a decision to make with his pull, even if the contact almost certainly had nothing to do with Murphy going to ground.

The second half began with Newcastle renewing their siege of the Blues penalty area, Sandro Tonali blazing over three minutes after the restart. Within a minute, Harvey Barnes shot not too far over Palmer’s cross-bar from 25 yards.

Willock sent a dangerous ball across the Town area which no one was able to reach, then on 55 Isak hit a shot which deflected wide.

And from the resultant corner, the Magpies doubled their lead. The ball was played short to Kieran Trippier on the right, the England international stood up a cross to the far post and Burn headed into the net from on the line.

Murphy shot wide on 62, before Newcastle assistant boss Jason Tindall was booked for speaking out of turn, then Greaves joined him for a foul on Murphy.

Newcastle continued to put the Blues under pressure, presumably seeing an opportunity to boost their goal difference, Woolfenden nodding off the line from Willock before a bout of head tennis in the six-yard box was ultimately ended by a raised linesman’s flag.

The Magpies swapped Willock for Lewis Miley and Murphy for Anthony Gordon on 67 with Barnes moving to the right flank.

On 70, VAR looked at Barnes playing the ball against Greaves in the area but ultimately opted against awarding a spot-kick for handball.

A minute later, Schar shot well wide and moments afterwards Enciso and Delap made way for Conor Chaplin and George Hirst.

Newcastle maintained their dominance but with the game having lost its intensity and on 76 Isak and Barnes were rested for Callum Wilson and Osula.

And four minutes after coming on, Osula made it 3-0 with his first Premier League goal. The Dane rose highest to nod Trippier’s corner from the right into the top corner beyond Palmer’s left hand.

Newcastle replaced Schar with Sven Botman on 83, then Town switched Taylor for Massimo Luongo three minutes later, before Guimaraes shot over on the volley on the turn at the far post from a cross from the left.

As the game moved into its final minute, Palmer saved from Gordon, then in the first of five additional minutes Osula shot just past the Town keeper’s left post.

The Blues support well away in the upper reaches of St James’ Park made themselves heard as the final moments of the game and Town’s stay in the Premier League ticked away, singing ‘Ipswich ’til we die’ and ‘Que Sera’.

And it was the Blues fans singing at the whistle despite the defeat and it now being mathematically impossible for their team to stay up. The players and staff went over and applauded their supporters from the edge of the penalty area.

While the defeat officially confirms that Town will be playing Championship football next season, the writing has been written very clearly on the wall for some weeks now, perhaps as long ago as the home defeat to Southampton with the recent home loss to Wolves, for much of the season the side 17th, cementing that situation.

In truth, such has been Wolves’ form since the start of February - second in the division only to leaders Liverpool - it would have taken a remarkable run for the Blues to have got themselves out of trouble.

This afternoon’s defeat was one of a familiar type with Town having battled gamely to stay in the game before conceding and spending the rest of the match defending their own penalty area to keep the score down, unsurprisingly on this occasion given the first-half red card and an injury and suspension-hit squad.

But it’s not the defeats to Arsenal last week or Newcastle this which have led to the Blues’ relegation but the failure to turn winning positions against some of the division’s more run of the mill sides into three points, particularly at home, although even those run of the mill sides are streets better than the teams Town were competing with at the top of the Championship last season and where they will feel they will be strong contenders in 2025/26.

Four more games remain before Town’s first Premier League campaign in 22 years is brought to a close - the earliest all three promoted s with a last ever visit to Everton’s Goodison Park up next.

Newcastle: Pope, Trippier, Schar (Botman 83), Burn, Livramento, Guimaraes (c), Tonali, Willock (Miley 67), Murphy (Gordon 67), Barnes (Wilson 77(, Isak (Osula 77). Unused: Dubravka, Ruddy, Krafth, Longstaff.

Town: Palmer, O’Shea, Woolfenden, Burgess, Greaves, Morsy (c), J Taylor (Luongo 86), Johnson, Enciso (Chaplin 72), Clarke (Godfrey 40), Delap (Hirst 72). Unused: Walton, Boniface, Cajuste, Hutchinson, T Taylor. Referee: Michael Salisbury (Preston). VAR: Jeremy Simpson. Att: 52,171.

Photo: Action Images via Reuters

armchaircritic59 added 19:24 - Apr 26 Yes Gforce, agree with the sentiments re JRF. Another great set of supporters who are at last getting the rewards they've waited so long for.
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Wooly74 added 19:56 - Apr 26 Blueboy81 being anything but a blueboy, more like. Yellow kid in disguise!!
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JRF added 19:58 - Apr 26 Thanks lads! Stay strong, support your team and you’ll be back! Look forward to seeing the Bobby Robson Derby again soon!
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blueboy1981 added 19:58 - Apr 26 Don’t you Referee knockers (all season some of you) - realise that eventually it may work against us over time ? Referee’s do read comments I’m sure, and are Human after all !! Just stating the obvious, to most anyway !
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blueboy1981 added 20:00 - Apr 26 Wooly74 ……. Do One !
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Facefacts added 20:03 - Apr 26 Palmer/Burgess fighting, great to see the commitment to the cause. Fighting to the end. Morsy vs Willock, did anyone on their way home now actually see what that was all about, I know it was off the ball and there was a VAR check, possible red card, but for what? Johnson first yellow, his head would have gone at the injustice, no blame for him getting a second yellow at all. He must have still been in shock at the injustice. Momentarily unhinged. Unfortunately Chappers wasnt on the field to sit down and require the trainer to come on. In my view our away form has been good all season. Just suffered badly with refs and VAR. Home form has absolutely killed us. We probably won't get to see any of these significant moments on MotD so it would be good to get the views of those who were there. Now we're down we'll just get the patronising comments from MotD, if they even mention us at all.

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Wooly74 added 20:21 - Apr 26 Do one what you complete muppet Blueboy81, typical keyboard warrior, get back to playing on your PS5 on Football Manager and leave the real game to real coaches.
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armchaircritic59 added 20:24 - Apr 26 blueboy1981, it's rare I make direct comments about officials, but today I chose to make one of few exceptions. That has to have been one of the poorest displays I've seen from one since I started watching football in 1963. The only tinge of sympathy I have for him is, his onfield decision was 100% correct, play on. Then of course those lovely people at VAR, who take any opportunity they can to get in the limelight, chip in with an idiotic intervention. The ref then of course thinks " oh, my lords and paymasters believe I've possibly/probably made an incorrect decision, I will look at the screen and reverse my decision anyway " as few refs have the " cojones " to stick by their original decision. I will admit I was a big supporter of VAR when it was bought in, unfortunately it's run by people who think they are the main show, not the players. It still can be a tool for good if policed properly. Let the match be refed by referees, and only intervene if you think he's made an horrendous error. Oh and while I'm on my soapbox, regarding the nonsense that goes on and on before a corner is taken. For gods sake why don't refs just let it all continue without interefering, and if he sees an offence when the kick has been taken, then blow for the offence. Players will very quickly get the message I can assure anyone of that. To finish, I hope everyone that travelled up to Newcastle, has a safe journey home, as usual you were magnificent.

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bluesince76 added 20:31 - Apr 26 Automatic promotion has to be the remit for next season or at least promotion if mc Kenna can't achieve that then it's time for new manager.
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blueboy1981 added 20:50 - Apr 26 Wooly ….. by name, and nature obviously !!
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benslifeyt added 20:52 - Apr 26 I hope lee James mummy turns his internet off
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Cadiar added 20:58 - Apr 26 LeeJames obviously has a real personality problem, he nor Blueboy can put anything coherent on here. When we have so many long term injuries & the squad is depleted to the bare bones it's impossible to be competitive especially against established teams who think nothing of spending 40M on one player. We were always at a huge disadvantage and it's obvious the players who have been on the journey over the last three years were going to struggle. We were even at a disadvantage to Leicester & Saints but we've had a season at the top therefore financially we have more power now & will comply with the financial requirements. At least we're probably going to finish the highest of the promoted teams.

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Wooly74 added 21:24 - Apr 26 BlueBOY by name and footballing knowledge obviously
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Wooly74 added 21:25 - Apr 26 Do you actually go to games Blueboy81, or just play them out on your PS5?
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Leejames99 added 21:54 - Apr 26 Caviar That just read blah blah blah Which players with long term injuries -Szmodics, Ogbene, Phillogene and Burns would you of liked to play today? You Mckenna cult don't like the new signings, at the end of the game all your faves were there, as would Davis of been so who was missing from your starting 11 The Mckenna worshipers want Walton H Clarke Woolfenden Burgess Davis Morsy Taylor Chaplin Burns Broadhead Hirst You lot starting to get on my nerves slating people with different opinions who won't be swayed by a mob. I've told you before if you don't have anything football or Ipswich related to say, say nothing, once again all you got is names and mental health references because you have nothing football related to say. We arent going to be top of bottom three, Leicester will beat us and Saints at home. And you just agreed with me the plays who been on this 'journey' have struggled as has the manager and that exactly what I say and why they need to go, thanks for agreeing, long term injuries what Burns to the rescue. @benslifeyyoutube Told you all week if nothing football related to say dont say ut and go back to watching Jake Paul vids or something.

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londontractorboy57 added 21:56 - Apr 26 The only good thing about this season is the glory hunters will depart
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SuperTabby added 21:56 - Apr 26 The only thing clear and obvious is the shocking standard of decisions. This and the Leicester game were farcical. Two soft yellows for Johnson, the first just isn’t a booking is it. The penalty was a joke, if the referee had given it on the pitch I’d maybe understand, but to overturn it as a clear and obvious mistake? Do me a favour. Clarke’s overturned earlier in the season, Leif at the Etihad, and the Chaplin one against Leicester. All going against us. Really frustrating that two weeks in a row it’s been game over after 35 mins. Championship referees will be as bad if not worse, but hopefully we’ll get more in our favour. Just looking forward to next season now.

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benslifeyt added 22:22 - Apr 26 All you do Lee James is waffle on about McKenna and how terrible we are when you don’t take into consideration anything… do you really want brexit style football and players who have no flair and creativity about them because dyche will bring negativity. And then you waffle on about your love affair with muric . I agree he’s a brilliant shot stopper BUT that’s it . He don’t do the rest of the goalkeepers job well . Which is why palmer is a better keeper. Then you chat about cajuste staying, that only happens if we stayed in the prem . You haven’t got a clue I will say it how it is to you , I don’t beat around the bush. Ps I don’t watch the pauls much prefer blue Monday podcast . Go watch their channel, they might educate you in football

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FromIpswichToPhoenix added 22:42 - Apr 26 At least we won't have to deal with the EPL bandwagon fans we picked up this season who only care about top flight footy. I enjoyed last season way more than this and will be happy to stop reading all the negative crap from 'fans' who never said a word until we were promoted.
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Lukeybluey added 23:50 - Apr 26 I've offered to chauffer Cajuste full time if he sign full time, best mid we've had since Matty Holland, and J Magilton, also been behind enemy limes for a night out in Nodge...
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Leejames99 added 00:15 - Apr 27 Oh @benslifeyoutube That says it all the Bluemonday podcast the most boring nonsense petrified to say a word against anyone. It May be waffle to you makes sense if you folliw that show the one with the long hair asks a question then answes it himself and butt's in constant. Anyway back to your nonsense and excuses. What are you taking into consideration, teams too good, all refs fault, fine margins, muric fault. Yes Dyche plays negative football lol how do you work that out? He kept Burnley up for 5 out of seven seasons, had a top seven finish and won the championship and knows what a relegation battle is. He is a good man manager but also a tough nut. And he plays a 4-4-2 Which I think could suit ipswich with signings we have made. Im not dead set on Dyche i jist think for a club looking to bounce back and establish in Prem he is ideal, and yes if promoted then boring it may be but leaking goals and not shutting shop is our main issue. Also he always has pacy wingers. In a 4-4-2 So not waffle educated opinion. In terms of Muric, i cant believe the poor guy still being spoken about and why the need for homophones nonsense, yes he is a better shot stopper and much better in the air and had he been allowed to kick out like Palmer there would of been less mistakes. I'm not going over it again his record in Championship is outstanding, Palmer is most definately not a better keeper, in fact he is another who looks the part but isn't, his mistakes are terrible too, Muric will be number 1 next season. Thank me midway. Palmer is better on your oponion in mine he is not. Cajuste, I'm afraid you are wrong again you need to stop getting your info from Blue Monday. The loan deal for Cajuste was 1.5 million with an OPTION to buy him for 13 million but an OBLIGATION to buy him if stayed up, so we can buy him if we want and thats the loan agreement and I will tell you a little nugget of info, my friend is an estate agent and told me a Town player has bought a 1 million house all paid, how many of our young squad have made a million yet, so my money is on Cajuste, I don't know its him but who else has got a million? So yes we can buy Cajuste if it's viable, we don't have to now but we have the option. And that's Fabrizo Romano reported that. You don't need to beat around the bush but you do need to double check where you get your info from and check a few stats or i have to respond to your nonsense and its boring. Blue Monday is not good for footie knowledge, well there is 2 who do the extra version the stato guy drinks pints of Berrocca or Ki-ora and the fella with beard they good but the other three is just we live Mckenna, like a live version of this nonsense. Oh here's Ipswichtophoenix I forgot no new members allowed unless you agree to A love the king Mckenna, B only be positive about everything, C Never under any circumstances blame anything on the "band of brothers' and D must of travelled to away games and can only call players by the nicknames tha have to all end in y so BurnsY, MorsY, BroadY WaltsY, ChappsY, Leify, WoolfY, HirstY etc.

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Eeyore added 00:47 - Apr 27 Great effort from all the players. Just another moment of stupidity ruined the afternoon. Do players sometimes forget they are on a yellow?! It would have been nice to see what would have happened with 11 v 11. Obviously really short of players but the four centre half’s did ok! We just massively miss having players like Szmodics, Burns, Omari, Cajuste, Phillips. In fact 3-0 would have been an acceptable score if we had 11 men so I think they deserved the 10 minute standing ovation at the end ( I don’t think they expected it though!)

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johnwarksshorts added 06:48 - Apr 27 Call me cynical, but I do think the lesser teams ie not the big established Premier league teams get treated differently by refs. I will be so glad that we don't have VAR next season. We will have learned an awful lot from this experience and come back stronger and more prepared hopefully with MCKENNA still at the helm. Just like to give a big SHOUT out to our brilliant supporters.

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johnwarksshorts added 07:14 - Apr 27 Big thank you to JRF (Newcastle supporter) for his kind words.
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GoingUp added 08:14 - Apr 27 We will be back soon, our defence will prove so much better than in promo season, Narwich silently soiling themselves as we speak
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