Real Madrid and Juventus can perhaps rest a little easier after Ipswich Town's chances of gracing next season's Champions League receded last night.
Many said the bubble would burst and this defeat leaves them fourth in the table - impressive enough for a UEFA Cup place but not what they really wanted.
It was their own fault in a way, as two pieces of suspect defending ceded their fellow Premiership upstarts Charlton a win which lifted them to eighth in the table. The Suffolk club badly needed a victory to keep pace with the challenge of Liverpool and Leeds, especially having played more games.
Although Ipswich's achievements have eclipsed those of Charlton this season, it is worth remembering that it was the London club who won the First Division last season while Ipswich needed the play-offs.
It did not take the home side long to reassert that pecking order when they took the lead after only 11 minutes. John Robinson broke down the right and looped in a cross to the near post where Swedish striker Mathias Svensson nipped in front of Titus Bramble and headed past Richard Wright, back after injury in Ipswich's goal.
Ipswich must have been surprised to be behind. They had dominated the early stages and looked for all intents and purposes like the home side. On eight minutes they had nearly scored as Martijn Reuser uncorked one of his trademark free-kicks and hit the post from 35 yards.
But it did not take them long to get on level terms. On 20 minutes Reuser took a short corner to Jim Magilton, received the ball back and then from about 25 yards out on the left chipped a hopeful ball into the area. The further forward players missed it, then one by one so did those behind. By the time Sasa Ilic realised the ball was heading his way it was too late. It was already sneaking in by the far post and his late dive was a mere token.
Ipswich's majestic, sweeping football then laid siege to the Charlton goal and Ilic was twice called on to make amends for his rather dozy reaction for the equaliser. First he pushed away Jermaine Wright's header, then did even better to extend a saving arm as Marcus Stewart's shot on the run looked to be heading for the net.
Charlton reorganised to 4-4-2 at the start of the second half and set about trying to stifle Ipswich's passing game and loosen their grip on the match. The change in formation and attitude paid immediate dividends. After 57 minutes they won a free-kick wide on the right which Claus Jensen floated into the area. Eventually the ball made its way the other side where substitute Graham Stuart had arrived unobserved. He cut inside and slightly mishit his shot. But the big defender Richard Rufus, up for the dead-ball kick, turned and diverted the ball beyond Wright.
CHARLTON: Ilic, Fish, Todd, Rufus, Powell, Robinson, Kinsella, Jensen (Konchesky 86), Parker (Stuart 38), Svensson (Lisbie 77), Bartlett. Subs Not Used: Brown, Caig. Goals: Svensson 12, Rufus 57.
IPSWICH: Richard Wright, Makin, Bramble, McGreal, Hreidarsson, Jermaine Wright, Magilton, Holland, Reuser, Armstrong, Stewart (Burchill 66). Subs Not Used: Branagan, Wilnis, Clapham, Naylor. Booked: Makin. Goals: Reuser 20.
Referee: R Styles (Waterlooville).
