Ipswich miss chance to top Championship after Watford draw

Ipswich missed the chance to go to the top of English football's second-tier Championship after being held to a goalless draw at home to Watford on Wednesday.

⏱️ Stalemate. pic.twitter.com/hPR7pKFJJv

— Ipswich Town (@IpswichTown) April 10, 2024

But a point for a share of the spoils at Portman Road did take Ipswich into second place, on goal difference, after promotion rivals Leicester and Leeds both dropped points on Tuesday.

Leicester were left top by just a point following a surprise 1-0 loss to relegation-threatened Millwall, with Leeds – now third – losing ground with a goalless draw at home to Sunderland.

But Leicester have a game in hand over both Ipswich and Leeds.

Only the top two teams at the end of the regular season are guaranteed elevation to the Premier League, with the final promotion place decided by a series of play-offs involving the teams finishing third to sixth.

Ipswich kicked off knowing a win would take them top of the table.

NINETEEN HOME GAMES UNBEATEN

But four days after losing to bitter local rivals Norwich, they again failed to find the back of the net as they extended their unbeaten home league run to 19 games.

West Brom strengthened their grip on fifth place with a 2-0 win over relegated Rotherham at the Hawthorns thanks to goals from Brandon Thomas-Asante and John Swift.

Hull and Middlesbrough's playoff hopes both suffered a hit in a 2-2 draw.

Emmanuel Latte Lath gave Boro the lead but Jaden Philogene and Jean Michael Seri put Hull in front before Finn Azaz equalised in the 71st minute.

At the foot of the table, Birmingham were left in the relegation zone after a 1-0 loss at home to Cardiff, with John Bowler scoring the winner in the 65th minute.

Defeat left Birmingham second bottom, a point shy of safety.

Swansea bolstered their hopes of beating the drop with a 3-0 win at home to Stoke thanks to goals from Liam Cullen, Matt Grimes and Josh Key.

But Blackburn's relegation worries intensified after they were hammered 5-0 at Bristol City.

Tommy Conway's two first-half goals, the second from the penalty spot, sent City on their way before Anis Mehmeti was on target moments after coming off the bench.

Fellow substitute Nahki Wells put the result beyond doubt with two more goals.