Ipswich Town beat Queens Park Rangers 3-0 to secure promotion to the Premier League in Championship matchday 46. Chilean Marcelino Núñez started and was key in the win at Portman Road. Fans invaded the pitch to celebrate with the team.
Ipswich Town sealed its return to top-tier English football with a resounding 3-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers at Portman Road stadium. George Hirst opened the scoring in the 3rd minute, followed by Jaden Philogene in the 9th. Kasey McAteer sealed the thrashing in the 85th, confirming direct promotion.
Chilean Marcelino Núñez, trained at Universidad Católica, played 71 minutes as a starter and was cheered by fans. Supporters invaded the pitch at full time, carrying the player on their shoulders with a Chilean flag. His move from rival Norwich City was initially seen as a 'betrayal' by some, as Norwich forward Onel Hernández said: “Marcelino was one of my good friends, but with that decision, I'm not sure I want to continue that friendship.”
In the season, Núñez featured in 38 matches, scoring three goals and providing 10 assists, becoming a pillar for Kieran McKenna's side. The manager said: “It means a lot, really... Probably the hardest achievement of the club's three promotions.” Ipswich had been relegated the previous year and bounced back in 12 months, with 30,000 fans celebrating in the streets and stadium.
The promotion returns a Chilean to the Premier League, as teams like Millwall, Southampton, Middlesbrough, and Hull City vie for playoff spots.
