Ipswich Triumphs Over Sheffield Wednesday to Boost Promotion Hopes
Ipswich Town secured a convincing victory against Sheffield Wednesday, furthering their aspirations for a quick return to the Premier League.
Cedric Kipre opened the scoring with a header, easing the nerves of the home fans at Portman Road. Jaden Philogene and Jack Clarke added to the tally, propelling Kieran McKenna's squad to third place in the Championship standings.
The Tractor Boys are now just five points behind second-placed Middlesbrough in the race for automatic promotion.
Sheffield Wednesday's Liam Cooper managed to score a consolation goal, but the Owls remain in a precarious position, sitting 30 points below the survival line after facing two separate points deductions.
Fans of the Owls are eager for some pre-Christmas joy, with former Newcastle owner Mike Ashley among those attempting to rescue the club from administration.
Ipswich nearly allowed Wednesday to take the lead when Dara O'Shea was dispossessed by Jamal Lowe, whose shot was cleared off the line by Kipre. The home crowd's frustration grew when Liam Palmer narrowly missed with a lob over the bar following a poor throw from Ipswich goalkeeper Christian Walton.
However, Ipswich regrouped, and Marcelino Nunez came close with a header after Wednesday's goalkeeper Pierce Charles saved Jens Cajuste's effort. Philogene also threatened with a scissors kick that struck the post.
The breakthrough came in the 33rd minute when Kipre headed in Leif Davis' corner, much to the relief of the home supporters.
Ivan Azon, who came on for the injured George Hirst, glanced a header wide before Philogene doubled the lead in the 60th minute. Cajuste surged forward, finding Nunez, who set up Philogene for his eighth goal of the season, all scored at Portman Road.
Despite the scoreline, Wednesday continued to fight, and Cooper capitalized on a defensive lapse by Ipswich to score after a free-kick from Barry Bannan.
Ipswich sealed the game with a third goal three minutes from time, as Azor Matusiwa intercepted the ball and Clarke finished the move. The Tractor Boys could have added a fourth, but Charles and Gabriel Otegbayo combined to deny Azon in the sixth minute of stoppage time.