The gulf in class between the Premier League and Championship has never been wider.
Ipswich Town were confirmed as the third and final team to be relegated from the English top flight following a dismal 3-0 loss away to Newcastle.
“We’ve been through it the last few weeks,” Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna told BBC after the match.
“We knew it was pretty likely and we had conversations inside to focus on each game as they come.
“We know there is a time for reflection so today the mathematical completion doesn’t change too much.
“We have been through the emotions.”
A miracle was required for the Tractor Boys to have stayed up, but those hopes took a major dent when Ben Johnson was sent off for a second yellow card in the 37th minute.
Johnson was given a yellow card for simulation in the 30th minute after he fell over Dan Burn‘s outstretched left leg.
He then had a major brain fade when he blatantly hauled down Alexander Isak on the left wing and subsequently received his second booking.
Down to ten men, McKenna’s side simply had no answer as Newcastle piled on the pressure.
They got the breakthrough in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time when Isak scored from the spot after Julio Enciso brought down Jacob Murphy inside the box.
Dan Burn and substitute William Osula added their names on the scoresheet to condemn Ipswich back down to the second-tier.
GettyIpswich have won just four out of their 34 Premier League matches this term[/caption]
Unfortunately for Ipswich, the result also ensured they earned two slices of unwanted Premier League history.
The first of which was just how early the three relegated teams had their fates confirmed.
Ipswich’s defeat on Saturday meant they, along with Leicester City and Southampton, had all been relegated with as many as four games remaining.
It is the earliest all three teams have had their relegation confirmed in Premier League history.
Southampton were the first of the trio to have their relegation confirmed following a 3-1 loss to Tottenham.
The defeat in north London sent the Saints back down with seven games remaining, marking the earliest a team had ever been relegated from the Premier League.
Leicester weren’t far behind as they were relegated with five matches left following a 1-0 defeat at home to Liverpool.
Additionally, it marked the second consecutive season the three teams promoted from the Championship were instantly sent straight back down.
Burnley, Sheffield United and Luton Town were the three who went up for the 2023/24 campaign.
The Clarets have already secured a ticket back to the Premier League having earned automatic promotion, as have Leeds United.
Sheffield United will look to join them as they contest the play-offs, while Luton endured an almighty tumble and could suffer back-to-back relegations.
