Back to Headlines
Sports
Apr 11, 2026

Ipswich tighten grip on automatic promotion with derby win as Coventry and Millwall stumble

AI Summary
Ipswich Town boosted their automatic‑promotion hopes with a 2‑0 derby victory at Norwich, moving into the Championship’s top two. Meanwhile, Coventry City’s 0‑0 draw with Sheffield Wednesday and Millwall’s stalemate against West Brom left both clubs waiting for a breakthrough in the promotion scramble.

Ipswich Town reignited their push for automatic promotion by edging out rivals Norwich City 2‑0 at Carrow Road, a win that propels them into the top two with at least a game in hand.

The first goal came in the 11th minute after a contentious penalty: Anis Ben Slimane appeared to clash with Norwich defender Jack Taylor, prompting referee Anthony Backhouse to point to the spot. Jaden Philogene slotted the penalty, albeit sending goalkeeper Vladan Kovacevic the wrong way.

Just before halftime, a long throw from Darnell Furlong was flicked on, allowing George Hirst to volley home and double Ipswich’s lead. The victory marks Ipswich’s first win at Carrow Road since 2006 and their first derby double since the 1992‑93 season.

Despite dominating possession, Norwich were unable to create clear‑cut chances, and the defeat extinguishes any lingering playoff hopes, though a top‑10 finish remains a remarkable turnaround from their early‑year position near the bottom of the table.

In the same round, Millwall saw their automatic‑promotion bid dented by a goalless draw with West Bromwich Albion. The Lions generated the better chances, with Josh Coburn missing a close‑range volley and Mihailo Ivanovic striking the bar, but they were unable to find the net.

Coventry City were also left waiting after a 0‑0 stalemate at home against relegated Sheffield Wednesday. A win would have lifted them into the promotion places, but the draw leaves them dependent on other results, notably Middlesbrough’s clash with Portsmouth later in the day.

The draw gave Sheffield Wednesday their third point of 2026 and extended their record‑breaking run of 37 games without a win across all competitions.

Elsewhere, Queens Park Rangers and Bristol City maintained unbeaten runs with a 0‑0 draw at Loftus Road. While both sides have avoided defeat, the result does little to advance their outside‑the‑playoffs ambitions.

Later fixtures include Middlesbrough hosting Portsmouth, a match with implications at both ends of the table, and crucial battles for Oxford United against Watford and Leicester City versus Swansea City.