Ipswich promoted to Premier League in style after rolling over QPR

Ipswich Town are back in the Premier League. And in what style. They are used to promotion parties in this part of Suffolk and, under Kieran McKenna, they do not fall flat.

Two early goals dismissed any fears of shredded nerves, and an afternoon of celebration could commence. No police presence around the Portman Road pitch perimeter was ever going to be sufficient to stop this pitch invasion. Happy days, indeed.

It had not been the simple season many anticipated for a team widely expected to make this instant return to the top flight following last year’s relegation. Given the swashbuckling style of their last Championship ascent and their status as title favourites this time around, it is difficult to avoid the sense that McKenna’s team largely underperformed in a campaign that flickered at regular points, but never really caught light.

But there was nothing underwhelming when it truly mattered. The manner in which Ipswich put this promotion decider to bed was as exhilarating as anything they had produced all season, laying siege on the Queens Park Rangers goal from the moment the first whistle went. It was a barrage as devastating as it was sublime, and early goals from George Hirst and Jaden Philogene were no more than they deserved.

Job done with a total absence of fuss, and the remainder of the match could pass largely without incident before Kasey McAteer sealed the deal with a late third. No need for consideration of permutations that might have given Millwall or Middlesbrough designs on snatching the Championship’s second automatic promotion spot. Let the celebrations commence.

Kasey McAteer roars with delight after scoring his side’s third goal. Photograph: Paul Harding/Getty Images

The feverish atmosphere had been apparent around the stadium all morning, with flags flying and supporters singing themselves hoarse long before the players emerged onto the playing field.

Incredibly, this was the third time in four full seasons under McKenna that these fans had arrived expectantly at Portman Road with promotion at stake, and tens of thousands filled the streets with a fog of blue flares to greet the arrival of the players’ coach.

On those previous two occasions, McKenna’s team had achieved their task with consummate ease, brushing aside Exeter 6-0 to bid farewell to League One and then following up with a 2-0 win over Huddersfield that brought Premier League football to the club for the first time in 22 years. This was no different.