Premier League

IPSWICH TOWN are back in the big time after securing promotion to the Premier League today.Kieran McKenna’s plucky side beat Huddersfield 2-0 to clinch second place in the Championship.Ipswich had a very different look about them the last time they played in the Premier LeagueCredit: GettyThe Tractor Boys are back in the top flight after 22 yearsCredit: PAIt means they will be playing in England’s top flight for the first time in 22 years.Stars like Axel Tuanzebe and Conor Chaplin will look to lead Ipswich’s charge up the Prem table.While McKenna will be hopeful of keeping loan stars like Omari Hutchinson and Jeremy Sarmiento.And whatever Ipswich’s starting XI will be next term, it will look completely different to how they lined up the last time they played a Premier League match.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Tractor Boys’ last top-flight match came in May 2002 against Liverpool at Anfield.Ipswich lost 5-0 on the day, having suffered a 6-0 defeat in the previous encounter that season.And there were some familiar names in George Burley’s side, which finished 18th and won just nine games all season.In defence was none other than cult football icon Titus Bramble.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe was joined by Herman Hreidarsson, Mark Venus and John McGreal, with Andy Marshall between the sticks.Midfield saw Martijn Reuser, Tommy Miller, captain Matt Holland and Jamie Clapham combine.Ipswich return to Premier League after 22 years away as ex-Man Utd coach Kieran McKenna wins successive promotionsBut it was up top where Ipswich appeared most dangerous.That’s because they had not one but TWO strikers called Bent.Marcus Bent netted nine goals that term, having joined the previous summer from Blackburn.While his partner, talkSPORT pundit Darren Bent, netted once having only recently made his professional debut. More

FORGOTTEN Premier League star Joe Worrall scored a last-gasp winner for Besiktas to spark huge celebrations. The centre-back is on loan at the Turkish club from Nottingham Forest.Joe Worrall scored the winner for BesiktasCredit: GettyThe on loan Forest defender found the back of the net in the 97th minuteCredit: Bein sportsThere was huge celebrations in the dugoutCredit: Bein sportsAnd fans went wild in the standsBesiktas are battling to qualify for the next season’s Europa League and needed a win against Rizespor to keep their fight alive.A thrilling game was level at 2-2 in the 97th minute – only for Worrall to step up and seal the win.His shot from a set-piece took a deflection, looped over the goalkeeper and dropped into the back of the net.Worrall was mobbed by his team-mates like ex-Arsenal and Liverpool star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd there were mass celebrations from Besiktas supporters in the stands.But it was heartbreak for Ex-Prem and now Rizespor ace Jonjo Shelvey.Worrall captained Forest to promotion from the Championship in 2022.But since then he has found his game time limited and was even banned from training with the rest of the squad in December.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSA deadline day move to Sheffield United collapsed despite Worrall reaching an agreement with the Blades.And he eventually moved to Besiktas on a short-term deal – yet the Istanbul-based side have the option to make the move permanent in the summer.Worrall has so far played eight times for the club.Most dramatic Premier League’s final daysWho are these famous footballers? More

FORMER Tottenham defender Pascal Chimbonda has been sacked as manager at ninth-tier team Skelmersdale United.After coming out of retirement and signing himself as a player at the club the 45-year-old will now hang his boots up once and for all.Pascal Chimbonda has been sacked as manager at ninth-tier team Skelmersdale UnitedCredit: FC ISLE OF MANAfter a rocky six months at the North West side, Skelmersdale announced the departure of Pascal on their social media page.The club released a statement which said: “On behalf of everyone at Skelmersdale United FC, the club would like to place on record its gratitude to Pascal for all his efforts during his time with the club.”Pascal joined the club when it was rooted to the bottom of the table, with the aim to resurrect the club’s fortunes.”And whilst there were many memories during his six-month tenure, it didn’t quite work out the way either party had anticipated. READ MORE ON FOTOBALL”As such the club believe it’s time to regroup and seek a new appointment.”Chimbonda was unable to turn things around at the Lancashire club with only eight wins in 34 games.And the club were relegated from the North West Counties Football League Premier Division after finishing bottom of the table.Since his arrival at the non-league side, the ex-Tottenham star hit the headlines after an X-rated half-time rant in a 6-0 defeat which saw him unleash 72 swear words.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnd Chimbonda was sent off during Skelmersdale’s clash with Barnoldswick Town in October, less than a week after joining.The Frenchman – who played in the 2006 World Cup – was handed a five-game suspension and £50 fine for leaving his technical area after a row.Jamie Redknapp forced to apologise after ‘stealing Sky Sports host’s thunder’ in awkward moment on live TVIt was later reduced to three matches.Chimbonda then registered himself as a player for the club and made four appearances for his side.While he might not play anymore the fan favourite dreams of climbing the ladder to become an established EFL boss within the next decade.Back in his heyday, he made 149 Premier League appearances for Tottenham, Wigan, Blackburn and Sunderland.He spent two seasons in North London from 2006-2008 and then left for the Black Cats only to return back to Spurs for another term in 2009.Pascal Chimbonda’s career statsThose numbers in full:

Le Havre, 1999-2003: 92 games, 5 goals

Bastia, 2003-2005: 72 games, 4 goals

Wigan, 2005-2007: 44 games, 2 goals

Tottenham, 2006-2008: 98 games, 4 goals

Sunderland, 2008: 16 games, 0 goals

Tottenham, 2009: 5 games, 0 goals

Blackburn, 2009-2010: 37 games, 1 goal

QPR, 2010-2011: 3 games, 0 goals

Doncaster, 2011-2012: 16 games, 0 goals

Market Drayton Town, 2012-2013: 0 games, 0 goals

Carlisle, 2013-2014: 28 games, 0 goals

Arlesien, 2014-2015: 6 games, 0 goals

Washington, 2017-2018: 3 games, 0 goals

Ashton Town, 2018-2019: 4 games, 0 goals

Skelmersdale United, 2023-2024: 4 games, 0 goals

France, 2006: 1 game, 0 goals

Guadeloupe, 2003-2012: 6 games, 0 goals

Trophies: Carabao Cup (Tottenham)

Chimbonda had two spells at TottenhamCredit: TIMES NEWSPAPER LTD More