Newcastle Back in Business: Magpies Soar Into Champions League Spots as Ipswich Relegated

Newcastle United bounced back in style and reclaimed their place among the Premier League’s elite, cruising to a 3-0 victory over Ipswich Town — a result that sealed the visitors’ fate with relegation.

It wasn’t all smooth sailing early on at St James’ Park. Newcastle, who have a worrying habit of conceding from the first shot they face, nearly repeated the trick when Jack Clarke’s deflected strike skimmed just past the post. That early scare, however, seemed to jolt Eddie Howe’s men into action.

From then on, Newcastle seized full control. They thought they had an early lead when Bruno Guimaraes bundled the ball into the net after Ipswich goalkeeper Alex Palmer spilled a catch, but the goal was ruled out for a soft foul. Ipswich’s luck didn’t last much longer, though.

Already on a yellow for diving, Ben Johnson clumsily hauled down Alexander Isak, leaving the referee no choice but to show him a second yellow. Down to 10 men and backs firmly against the wall, Ipswich could only hang on for so long.

After Luke Woolfenden desperately cleared Guimaraes’ close-range shot off the line and Sandro Tonali rattled the crossbar, Newcastle finally made the breakthrough. Deep into first-half stoppage time, Jacob Murphy was pulled down in the box by Julio Enciso, and Isak calmly slotted home the resulting penalty to put the Magpies ahead.

Newcastle didn’t let up after the break. Just 11 minutes into the second half, Dan Burn popped up at the far post to head home his first league goal of the season, courtesy of a pinpoint Kieran Trippier cross.

Ipswich’s hopes of a miracle comeback were dead and buried by then. Newcastle’s dominance was absolute, and Murphy, lively all afternoon, almost grabbed a third but curled his effort just wide. The final nail in Ipswich’s coffin came when substitute William Osula rose highest to nod in Trippier’s corner, sealing a comprehensive win.

After the frustration of a 4-1 defeat to Aston Villa last weekend, this result was exactly what Newcastle needed. A fifth straight home victory propels them back into the Champions League mix, with confidence clearly restored.

Meanwhile, it’s heartbreak for Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich side. Their relegation means all three promoted clubs will be heading straight back down to the Championship — a harsh reminder of just how tough life in the top flight can be.