OneFootball
Padraig Whelan·22 July 2020
OneFootball
Padraig Whelan·22 July 2020
The final night of Championship action threw up some incredible drama in the races for both promotion and survival.
This is what went down.
With Leeds Unitedâs title win already secure, it was all about who would join them in the second automatic promotion position.
West Bromwich Albion started the day in the box seat they stayed there after a 2-2 draw at home against QPR to regain their Premier League status.
They were done big favours by relegation-threatened sides Wigan and Barnsley though, who denied both Brentford and Fulham the wins that could have saw them muscle their way into second.
The play-off positions will be occupied by Brentford, Fulham, Cardiff City and Swansea City.
Incredibly, Nottingham Forest held a three-point lead and five-goal superior difference over the Swans prior to kick-off!
But their 4-1 loss at home to Stoke City coupled with the Swans victory over Reading by the same scoreline means the Welsh side pipped them at the death on goal difference.
Fulham will face Cardiff in the play-offs, while Brentford take on Swansea.
The Bees are the only side in the top six who have yet to compete in the Premier League before but spurned the chance to leapfrog the Baggies with a shock defeat at home to relegation-threatened Barnsley.
Wigan Athleticâs fairytale survival bid sadly came up short.
Following an EFL statement on Monday night, they were aware that they would be hit with a 12-point deduction for entering administration after the full-time whistle blew tonight.
That meant they had to win against Fulham but despite taking the lead through Kieffer Moore, they were pegged back and drew 1-1.
With that deduction, it means they will now be relegated, although they do have the option to appeal that decision.
Charltonâs return to the second tier lasted just one season, their 4-0 loss at the champions condemning them to the drop.
Both will be joined in League One next season by the basket case that is Hull City of late. They lost 3-0 away to Cardiff City and finish bottom.
Birmingham City stayed up by the skin of their teeth too despite defeat at home to Derby County, while Luton Town staved off relegation fears with a win over Blackburn Rovers.
Finally, the legend that is Neil Warnock ensured Middlesbroughâs safety coming from behind to beat Sheffield Wednesday.
There were some fixtures that had little real impact at either end other than that they had to be fulfilled.
Preston North End drew 1-1 with Bristol City, while Millwall smashed Huddersfield at The Den.
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