Going into game week 46, relegation was already decided after Neil Warnock pulled off the great escape at Huddersfield Town to down Reading. The Royals whose season was derailed by further points deductions, joined Blackpool and Wigan Athletic in joining League One next season. The Play-off spots were closer than ever with five sides; Coventry City, Millwall, Sunderland, West Bromwich Albion and Blackburn Rovers all in contention to join Middlesbrough and Luton Town in the final two places. Meanwhile upon the precipice of the Championship, Burnley were awaiting to be crowned champions at Turf Moor after facing Cardiff City, with the opportunity to cap off a memorable season.
Vincent Kompany's side easily surpassed Cardiff City in a comfortable 3-0 victory, as the Clarets became the fourth ever side to pass the 100 point landmark. Ashley Barnes scored on his farewell at Turf Moor, after he announced earlier this week he would be leaving after nine years at the club. Joshua Brownhill and Scott Twine scored the other two goals before Burnley fans were sent into pandemonium watching their team lift the Championship trophy.
Coventry had endured a fairy-tale campaign rising from the brink of relegation into the top six and a hard fought point at Middlesbrough secured their play-off place. The 1-1 stalemate was a rehearsal for the Play-off duel that will take place next week. Both teams have overcame struggles this season, to end on a high with Borough reaping the impact of Michael Carrick and Coventry still buoyant after their season turnaround under Mark Robins.
The game of the this weekend was at The Den as Millwall suffered a second-half capitulation as they blew a two goal advantage. All Gary Rowett's team had to do to finish in the top six was secure a win and it appeared job done at half-time with the score 3-1. However, the Londoners complacency was evident in the second half and they collapsed against a hungry Blackburn side still desperate to sneak into the play-offs themselves. Joe Rankin-Castello scored a second for Blackburn to instil optimism for the away side and 12 minutes later they were level through talisman Ben Brereton Diaz. The Chilean has signed a deal with La Liga outfit Villarreal for next season, but gave Blackburn fans a brilliant farewell after he scored the winner in the 87 minute to crush Millwall fans hearts.
But, if Rovers were to reach the play-offs they were going to have to rely on local nemesis' Preston North End to do a huge favour and ensure that Sunderland did not win. Unfortunatley, the Black Cats unleashed a ruthless performance in the second half with goals from Amad Diallo, Pritchard and Jack Clarke which sent them into the top six. If they win the play-offs they will have successfully managed back to back promotions, after a superb revival under Tony Mowbray who is intent on guiding Sunderland back to the Premier League where they belong.
West Brom went into their game at the Liberty Stadium with the play-offs out of their hands, but the Baggies did not help themselves blowing their one goal lead to lose 3-2 to an inform Swansea side. Since March 19th Swansea have acclaimed seven wins and two draws, and look a real potential threat for next season under Russel Martin. Dutch striker Joel Piroe's 93 minute winner was his 20th goal of the season and it sent his team level on points with West Brom.
Elsewhere, second placed Sheffield United still bouncing from securing promotion to the top flight under Paul Heckingbottom edged past Birmingham City thanks to goals from McBurnie and McAtee in a 2-1 win. Luton Town continued their end of season slump with a goalless draw at Hull City, to make it three draws in five games, it doesn't add confidence going into their play-off battle with Sunderland.
If Huddersfield had slipped up in midweek against Sheffield United, then their final day clash against Reading would have been a relegation decider. Instead, the two teams went into the game with very different attitudes Huddersfield were still ecstatic from securing survival, while Reading were shell-shocked after a horrendous April that had seen them crash out of the second division. It showed; in Neil Warnock's final game of the season the Terriers cruised to a 2-0 victory.
QPR fans were desperate for this woeful season to end after a turbulent car-crash of a season where they had gone from leaders to relegation candidates. Gareth Ainsworth could not make it three wins in a row, after the Rangers small revival and they lost 2-0 to Bristol City finishing in a miserable 20th place.
In a fixture which at the start of the season would have expected to be a heavyweight clash for the title, Watford faced Stoke City. The two sides both had underwhelming campaigns, and it was Chris Wilder's team who secured the three points with a third 2-0 victory of the day. Both fans will be curious as to what the future holds, any Watford supporter only knows to well it is likely to be a new manager for the Hornets.
Finally, Blackpool salvaged some dignity with a 1-0 away win against Norwich it was just their fifth win on the road all season. Meanwhile, Wigan and Rotherham shared the points at the DW Stadium in a game that meant very little with Wigan long relegated and Rotherham safe for another season.
Comments