Another week, another amazing comeback by Ipswich Town.
The Tractor Boys are showing no signs of slowing down in the quest for the Championship’s top two automatic positions, as they lead the table heading into the weekend’s fixtures.
Leeds United is a point behind in second place, while Leicester City is two points back, albeit with a game in hand, with all three clubs still hoping to play top-flight football in August.
The Suffolk side put on another late performance to overcome Southampton 3-2 in an Easter Monday duel to remember at Portman Road, with Jeremy Sarmiento stabbing home with seconds remaining on the clock to give his team the three points.
Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Jeremy Sarmiento strengthens Ipswich Town’s Championship promotion chances.
After another late winner to add to last month’s 3-2 success over Bristol City and February’s 4-3 thriller with Rotherham United, Ipswich are riding the crest of a wave that shows no signs of slowing down as the Championship season comes to a close.
All of that momentum could have been lost if Kieran McKenna’s side hadn’t won all three points against fourth-placed Southampton on Monday night, but because to Sarmiento’s brilliance, they continue to battle for supremacy.
The Brighton and Hove Albion loanee had only been on the pitch for a few minutes before he seized his opportunity, with the ball threatening to leave him as he attempted to control inside the area, only for him to regain his feet and stab an effort past the despairing Gavin Bazunu.
The outpouring of passion inside Portman Road was apparent as the Suffolk side scored another surprise success, bringing their total to 27 points from their last 30 available.
This is not the first time the Ecuador international has scored late to give his team crucial points this season; in January, he equalised at the death to earn his side a draw against promotion rivals Leicester.
Another strike with ten minutes remaining gave his side the lead against Birmingham City in February, and his flicked header set up Leif Davies for the game-winner against Bristol City just two games later.
With promotion to the Premier League estimated to be worth more than £100 million, McKenna’s decision to bring Sarmiento to the club during the January transfer window could prove to be a masterstroke for everyone at Portman Road.
The youthful talent had been impressed with West Bromwich Albion at the start of the season, scoring a couple of goals to top off a string of standout performances from the bench.
It’s been a similar narrative since he arrived to Suffolk, with only four of his 14 Town appearances coming from the start, but he’s made a significant contribution as a match-winner for McKenna and his squad.
With the additions of Ali Al-Hamadi and Kieffer Moore in the recent January transfer window, the Tractor Boys are spoilt for attacking options as the season comes to a close, with Sarmiento contributing as much as any of the forwards.
Moore’s six goals and Al-Hamadi’s four have all helped Ipswich become the league’s top scorers as of now, with 84 goals scored in 40 league games this season, but none have been more important than Sarmiento’s late victory on Monday.
Ipswich Town Championship Final Fixtures
Sarmiento will be looking to continue to play a role in their final few fixtures of the season, beginning with a major East Anglian Derby against Norwich City this Saturday, with the stakes higher than ever as both teams compete for promotion.
While Town lead the standings, the Canaries are battling for a playoff spot, with David Wagner’s side now in sixth place as we approach the weekend’s matchups.
The Tractor Boys will next play home games against Watford and Middlesbrough before visiting playoff candidates Hull City and Coventry City in the final week of the season, followed by the season-ending fixture at home to Huddersfield Town.
With the games approaching thick and fast, every player on the Ipswich team will be expected to make a difference, and in Sarmiento, they have the ideal guy to call on to pull them out of any tricky position they may encounter.
Easter Monday confirmed it once more, emphasizing the never-say-die attitude radiating from Portman Road at the moment; write Ipswich Town off at your risk, because they have the quality to go the distance.
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