Super Eagles and Southampton midfielder, Joe Ayodele-Aribo was left heartbroken after Jeremy Sarmiento scored a last-minute winner to seal a 3-2 win for title-chasing Ipswich Town, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 27-year-old Nigerian midfielder was drafted into The Saints' starting eleven by Martin Russell as they looked to rack up points as the season winds down to its business end.
The charge for promotion in the EFL Championships is on six fronts as Leicester City, Leeds, Ipswich Town, West Brom and Norwich all eye a spot in the English Premier League next season.
The first goal at Portman Road came from Ipswich's left-back, Leif Davis. A well-pinged pass was brought down by the former Leeds man, before rifling his shot through Gavin Bazunu's roof.
In less than sixty seconds, Russell's Reds responded. A quick exchange of passes saw Adam Armstrong cut the ball back to Joe Ayodele-Aribo who was roaming free in Ipswich's box. The Nigerian poked the ball to Che Adams, leaving the Scotland striker to send the ball beyond the goalkeeper to level the scores.
Southampton went ahead ten minutes later. A mazy run from Stuart Armstrong swept two opposition players to the side, but the Scottish midfielder went one better and produced a through ball that cut through the entire Ipswich defence, giving Adam Armstrong a chance to make it two, and that he did, burying the ball into the bottom corner.
Nathan Broadhead levelled for Ipswich in the second half. Davies got involved again as his pass found Jack Taylor on the edge of Southampton's box. Taylor laid the ball to Broadhead and the winger sent the through Jack Stephens's legs, and into Bazunu's goal, to bring the game to a 2-2 draw.
Aribo was withdrawn in the 82nd minute, but Ipswich had the last laugh. Davies again, sent a low cross into the box with six of seven additional minutes after the ninety already gone. Jeremy Sarmiento scuffed his initial shot but poked it home at the second time of asking to send the crowds wild.
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) April 1, 2024
Southampton are now 4th on the EFL Championships table, thirteen points behind Ipswich Town. They have a chance to reduce the deficit as they have two outstanding games.
