Newcastle United beat Ipswich Town 3-0 at St James' Park on Saturday afternoon in the Premier League, boosting their Champions League ambitions while also relegating the visitors.
The Toon were unfortunate to have a goal ruled out shortly after the 20-minute mark when Blues goalkeeper Alex Palmer tried to claim a cross and deflected the ball off of Bruno Guimaraes into the net.
Ipswich were reduced to 10 men late in the first half when Ben Johnson was dismissed after receiving a second yellow card following his pull on Alexander Isak.
Isak would open the scoring just before the interval from the penalty spot after Jacob Murphy was fouled in the box, before Dan Burn doubled the Magpies' lead from a corner a little over 10 minutes into the second half and there was time for 21-year-old William Osula to grab a third in the final stages.
The result means the Toon end the afternoon in third place with 62 points and occupy the third of five Champions League spots, whereas Ipswich are third last in 18th place with 21 points, 15 from 17th-placed West Ham United.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
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Newcastle have enjoyed a remarkable campaign so far, and having won the EFL Cup already, securing Champions League football would make the 2024-25 season even more historic.
Boss Eddie Howe's side are five points ahead of seventh-placed Aston Villa, so he will be confident of at least securing Europa League football.
Few would have predicted that Ipswich would survive, but their task against Newcastle was made impossible when Johnson was sent off in the first half.
Manager Kieran McKenna has performed excellently as head coach of the Tractor Boys, and he represents the club's best hope of returning to the top flight at the first time of asking.
NEWCASTLE UNITED VS. IPSWICH TOWN HIGHLIGHTS
22nd min: Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle United) disallowed goal
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Ipswich goalkeeper Palmer tries to claim a high ball in the box, but he bumps into Guimaraes and the ball deflects off of the Brazilian into the goal, though the goal does not stand.
Palmer can count himself lucky!
37th min: Ben Johnson (Ipswich Town) red card
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Isak attempts to race past Johnson but the Ipswich player pulls the striker back, and having already been booked for diving, the referee has no option but to issue a second yellow.
Such poor discipline.
45+4th min: Newcastle United 1-0 Ipswich Town (Alexander Isak)
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A penalty is awarded to Newcastle after a VAR intervention spotted a pull on the shoulder of Murphy from Julio Enciso, and Isak steps up before converting into the right side of the net.
His 22nd Premier League goal of the season!
56th min: Newcastle United 2-0 Ipswich Town (Dan Burn)
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The Magpies play a short corner from the right before Kieran Trippier sends a cross to the back post, where Burn rises above Dara O'Shea to head home from close range.
Game over!
80th min: Newcastle United 3-0 Ipswich Town (William Osula)
Trippier swings in a corner that arrives in the centre of the box at the head of substitute Osula, who sends his effort looping back across goal and into the right of the net.
A deserved third!
MAN OF THE MATCH - SANDRO TONALI
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Sandro Tonali was a hub of creativity against Ipswich, creating seven chances during the game, the most of any player on the pitch.
The midfielder also completed 65 of his 70 passes (93%), and he also made six recoveries, the most of any of his outfield teammates.
NEWCASTLE UNITED VS. IPSWICH TOWN MATCH STATS
Possession: Newcastle United 78%-22% Ipswich Town
Shots: Newcastle United 25-4 Ipswich Town
Shots on target: Newcastle United 5-0 Ipswich Town
Corners: Newcastle United 11-2 Ipswich Town
Fouls: Newcastle United 9-9 Ipswich Town
BEST STATS
Alexander Isak has now scored 16 goals in his 15 Premier League appearances against promoted sides. 🇸🇪 https://t.co/XaRKE8MCc1 pic.twitter.com/CzdRzlJQqp
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) April 26, 2025
Goals this PL season:
— StatMuse FC (@statmusefc) April 26, 2025
22 — Alexander Isak
21 — Erling Haaland pic.twitter.com/QM740uYgeX
WHAT NEXT?
Newcastle's next clash comes against Brighton & Hove Albion on May 4 away from home, while they host Chelsea in their next home match on April 11.
As for Ipswich, they will take on Everton at Goodison Park on May 3 before facing Brentford at Portman Road on May 10.
Lewis Nolan
