Jeremy Sarmiento’s 97th-minute winner completed a remarkable comeback as Ipswich returned to the top of the Championship with a dramatic 3-2 win over 10-player Southampton.
After Leicester’s win at home to Norwich earlier on Easter Monday, Kieran McKenna’s side knew only a win against Saints – who also retained ambitions of automatic promotion – would return them to the summit.
Leif Davis’ brilliant early strike handed Ipswich the lead – but 10 minutes later, they were behind, thanks to sweeping Southampton moves that were finished by Che Adams and Adam Armstrong.
Southampton dominated the ball for much of the game and looked to be heading towards a crucial victory until Nathan Broadhead’s smart finish levelled the scores.
That goal changed the game, with Ipswich pushing for a late winner in front of a raucous Portman Road crowd.
James Bree’s straight red card for bringing down Davis as he charged towards goal pushed Saints closer to the brink and Sarmiento completed the turnaround with a stabbed finish in the final minute of added time – sparking wild celebrations and a return to the summit with just six games remaining.
