Credit: Imago

Jack Dawson

Sat 2 May 2026 14:30, UK

Follow us on Google Discover

Ipswich Town won promotion back to the Premier League with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers at Portman Road.

It was the perfect start for the Championship outfit as George Hirst poked the hosts in front three minutes in.

A second goal was added shortly later, as Jaden Philogene-Bidace coolly slotted the ball into the net to put Ipswich in control.

Into the second half, QPR stepped up, and went close a couple of times, but simply could not find the goal to get them back into the game. Kasey McAteer then finished off the tie with a rebounded goal to begin the celebrations at Portman Road.

Below, Football Insider has rated the players after Ipswich finally secured promotion back to the Premier League.

George Hirst the hero again for Ipswich Town

Going into the match, it was crucial that Ipswich got off to a fast start at Portman Road.

From minute one, Hirst was up for the clash and was in the perfect place to net the opener and ease tensions around the stadium.

His ball to Philogene-Bidace for the second was fantastic, which truly put the hosts in a perfect position for the rest of the game.

Ipswich needed players to step up for this game, and Hirst truly delivered to bring the club back into the Premier League.

Hopefully, these performances will continue next season as they look to cement an immediate return to the Championship.

Darnell Furlong was poor vs QPR

While few players truly underperform, it was certainly not the greatest game for Darnell Furlong.

The full-back struggled to complete multiple passes, whether they were long balls, crosses or even simple close-range.

Ipswich Town 🤝 @premierleague.

WE'RE GOING UP AGAIN! ⬆️ pic.twitter.com/6S6QXdHKDP

— Ipswich Town (@IpswichTown) May 2, 2026

On top of this, he struggled to win his ground duels and was often forced to commit a foul, one of which resulted in a yellow card being awarded.

While he also did plenty right defensively, he was no doubt the weakest player on the field for Ipswich.

Hopefully, in the Premier League, he steps up, or it could prove to be costly in the long run.

Ipswich Town player ratings vs QPR

• Christian Walton – 7/10
• Leif Davis – 7/10
• Dara O’Shea – 7/10
• Jacob Greaves – 6/10
• Darnell Furlong – 5/10
• Azor Matusiwa – 8/10
• Jack Taylor – 8/10
• Wes Burns – 7/10
• Marcelino Nunez – 6/10
• Jaden Philogene-Bidace – 8/10
• George Hirst – 9/10

Substitutes

• Jack Clarke (on for Philogene-Bidace, 62’) – 7/10
• Kasey McAteer (on for Burns, 63’) – 7/10
• Ivan Azon (on for Hirst, 70’) – n/a
• Anis Mehmeti (on for Nunez, 71’) – n/a
• Daniel Neil (on for Taylor, 86′) – n/a