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EFL Championship round-up: Norwich edge closer to Premier League, Sheff Utd take massive step toward

Writer's picture: Andrew ZarbAndrew Zarb


Round-up:

In the early kick-off, Aston Villa sealed their place in the end of season promotion play-offs as they sealed a club-record 10th consecutive win, after they beat Millwall 1-0 thanks to a Jonathan Kodija goal. Top of the table Norwich City failed to officially seal promotion today, as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Stoke City who twice came from behind to earn a point. Onel Hernandez gave the Canaries the lead in the 24th minute, before Ashley Williams cancelled out the lead just after half-time, before Teemu Pukki restored Norwich's lead but that lasted less than 5 minutes as Tom Edwards levelled up again for the Potters. Sheffield United took a giant stride towards the Premier League after they ruthlessly beat Hull City 3-0 thanks to a brace from David McGoldrick and a goal from Enda Stevens. West Bromwich Albion also sealed a place in the promotion play-offs, despite being held to a goalless draw by Reading who have taken a massive step towards survival. Middlesbrough suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of mid-table Nottingham Forest, whilst Bristol City suffered a 2-0 defeat away to Sheffield Wednesday. Thanks to both Middlesbrough and Bristol City slipping up, Derby County took full advantage, after in the 90th minute they were awarded a controversial penalty which Harry Wilson converted, and then Wilson doubled their lead from a counter-attack. Swansea City kept their slim promotion play-off hopes alive after they beat already-relegated Ipswich Town 1-0 thanks to a goal from Wayne Routledge. Wigan Athletic secured their Championship status for another season as they beat 10-man Preston North End 2-0 thanks to goals from Leon Clarke and Lee Evans. Birmingham City also secured their Championship status for another season after they came from behind to beat Rotherham United 3-1, a result which seriously dents Rotherham United's survival prospects. Already-relegated Bolton Wanderers suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of in-form Blackburn Rovers thanks to goals from Ben Brereton and Adam Armstrong.

In the evening kick-off, Leeds United suffered a very damaging 2-0 defeat away to Brentford, thanks to goals from Neal Maupay and Sergi Canos. Thanks to this result, Norwich City are all-but certain of promotion to the Premier League, as they boast a six-point advantage over Leeds United with 2 games to play as well as superior goal difference of 10 - a draw next Saturday at home to Blackburn Rovers will seal automatic promotion, and if Sheffield United fail to win - Norwich City will be confirmed as champions. Meanwhile, if Sheffield United win against bottom side Ipswich Town - then Leeds too will be six points behind with two games to play and inferior goal difference (to Sheffield United), meaning Leeds United would then have to win both their games and recover a significant deficit in the goal difference whilst hoping that then Sheffield United lose on the final day.

Results:

Aston Villa 1 Millwall 0

Blackburn Rovers 2 Bolton Wanderers 0

Derby County 2 Queens Park Rangers 0

Hull City 0 Sheffield United 3

Ipswich Town 0 Swansea City 1

Nottingham Forest 3 Middlesbrough 0

Reading 0 West Bromwich Albion 0

Rotherham United 1 Birmingham City 3

Sheffield Wednesday 2 Bristol City 0

Stoke City 2 Norwich City 2

Wigan Athletic 2 Preston North End 0

Brentford 2 Leeds United 0


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