Ipswich top after last-gasp winner against Saints

Jeremy Sarmiento’s goal in the final seconds gave Ipswich Town a dramatic victory over 10-man Southampton and put them top of the Championship.

Adam Armstrong slotted home to give the Saints the lead but Nathan Broadhead levelled in the 68th minute with an instinctive turn and finish.

James Bree was sent off after bringing Davis down with five minutes left, before Sarmiento netted at the death.

The result leaves Ipswich two points in front of Leicester City, having played one game more.

It was also a big blow to Southampton’s slim hopes of automatic promotion.

Ipswich got off to the perfect start, with a lethal strike by Davis into the top left-hand corner opening the scoring.

Portman Road erupted as the ball flew into the net, venomously struck by the left-back, beating keeper Gavin Bazunu at his near post.

Russell Martin’s side equalised immediately when Adams helped on Joe Aribo’s pass into the back of the net.

Stuart Armstrong then made a determined run down the left-hand side before cutting infield and splitting open Ipswich’s defence, finding Adam Armstrong, who fired low into the bottom corner of Vaclav Hladky’s goal to give Southampton the lead.

Ipswich came close to equalising in the 65th minute when Al-Hamadi struck the post.

Broadhead then scored to level the game again with a first-time finish on the spin to beat Bazunu and trigger a deafening roar from the home crowd.

And with seconds remaining, Davis crossed to the penalty spot where Sarmiento mis-kicked before instinctively lashing out with his right foot, nudging the ball beyond Bazunu.

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna told BBC Radio Suffolk:

“I feel really proud of the effort everyone put in there. You have to enjoy moments like that. What a game to be a part of.

“There were so many good things in the performance and so much to improve. It was a real step up for us in quality to play a team like that.

“All of the subs had a great impact and it’s the sign of our culture. All of our players and staff are joyous in the dressing room. We have to enjoy it.”

Southampton head coach Russell Martin told BBC Radio Solent:

“Their (winning) goal came out of nothing. It shouldn’t go in and Gavin (Bazunu) should do better. He’ll know that.

“At 2-2 I thought we’d be the team that could win it but the red card changed everything. We should score more and can’t concede the way we did.

“We came here with so many brilliant performances. It’s so disappointing to lose. We were the best team tonight.

“The performance was great but moments have cost us. There’s 24 points to play for and we have to win every game now.”