Town’s latest defeat virtually condemns them to relegation from the Premier League

It’s been a great opportunity to play in the top league in the world but inevitably Ipswich look to have fallen short of maintaining their Premier League status.

A 2-1 home defeat at Portman Road this afternoon to Wolves has almost condemned them to an immediate return to the Championship.

But they will have gained a massive amount of experience from their season in the top flight … despite only four wins so far this season.

Just one home victory against Chelsea back in December along with three away victories at Tottenham, today’s opponents from the Midlands at Molineaux, and Wednesday’s three points at Bournemouth.

So maybe there will be more to cheer about next season back in the second tier.

Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna has more or less accepted the inevitable.

He said: “Today was a really spirited performance but not enough to win. The likeliness is that we are going to fall short of our ultimate dream at the end of the season.”

Ipswich went ahead in today’s game through Liam Delap.

But Wolves second half come back saw them score twice through substitute Pablo Sarabia and Jorgen Strand Larsen.

The gap between the two clubs was extended to 12 points with just seven games left to play.

It could have been worse for Ipswich following a calamitous first half error by Ipswich goalkeeper Alex Palmer when the ball went under his feet following a back pass from Dara O’Shea but he managed to scoop the ball away at the last moment.

Speaking after the game Wolves boss Vitor Pereira, who was marking his 600th game in management, was delighted with his side’s come back win.

He said: “We prepared to come to the game and win and I’m very happy for the players, for the cub and especially for the supporters.”

It was Ipswich’s 11th league loss of the season at Portman Road and sixth in successive home games, matching a record league run back in 1963.

That has left the Tractor Boys needing a minor miracle to stay up.

Back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League was a staggering achievement, especially having been out of the top flight since 2002.

There was little expectation this season, but the aim to survive. Ipswich were not in the Premier League as tourists but there was little pressure after their rapid rise.

There will be pride in their journey but their spell among English football’s elite is about to come to an end.