Championship final day LIVE: Results, final scores and reaction as Sheffield United and Luton win play-off places
Follow the live updates from all 12 Championship games as the final two play-off berths are confirmed
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sheffield United thrashed champions Fulham 4-0 to book their place in the Sky Bet Championship play-offs.
Fulham had scored 106 goals in 45 games and hammered Luton 7-0 on Monday to secure the Championship title.
But Marco Silva’s side were cut apart by the Blades inside 25 minutes at Bramall Lane.
Morgan Gibbs-White, Iliman Ndiaye and Sander Berge all punished poor Fulham defending and Enda Stevens added another in the second period.
Fifth-placed Sheffield United will play Nottingham Forest in the play-offs, while Luton meet Huddersfield.
Luton sealed sixth place with a 1-0 home victory over Reading, in which Harry Cornick’s winner came in bizarre fashion on the stroke of half-time.
Royals goalkeeper Orjan Nyland rolled the ball out unaware that Cornick was behind him, and the Hatters striker pounced on the loose ball to score.
Middlesbrough’s promotion dream died with a 4-1 defeat at Preston. Follow all the reaction on the final day of the Championship season below:
Championship final day latest
Full time!
Middlesbrough and Millwall have both finished - and both lost.
That means Sheffield United and Luton are now guaranteed top-six finishes, just as their own matches head to the final whistle too.
Championship final day latest
Final goals going in around the second tier now in the last minutes of the season.
No dramatic changes in the top six in the end, which will be a big positive in the eyes of Luton fans we are sure. They have done superbly to finish sixth this season, a massive achievement.
Peterborough 5-0 Blackpool: Jack Marriott and Jack Taylor at least wrap up a fine last day for the relegated Posh, they’ll finish 22nd.
AS IT STANDS:
5th Sheffield United, 75
6th Luton, 75
--
7th Middlesbrough, 70
8th Millwall, 69
Championship final day latest
We can pretty much now say the top-six race is wrapped up and both Sheffield United and Luton, who started the day in the play-off race, will end it there too.
Bournemouth are ahead through Kieffer Moore against Millwall, while Middlesbrough’s final-day implosion has been confirmed with a Patrick McNair red card and subsequent penalty scored by Emil Riis Jakobsen - it’s 4-1 to Preston there.
Meanwhile, QPR are ahead at Swansea and Birmingham have pulled one back, still 2-1 down to Blackburn.
Championship final day latest
We’re rapidly heading into the final 20 minutes of the Championship season - then it’s just the play-offs to come.
As it stands, and there’s very little reason to think it might change at this stage, it’ll be Huddersfieldvs Luton and Nottingham Forest vs Sheffield United in the semi-finals.
Elsewhere:
Peterborough 2-0 Blackpool: Sammie Szmodics with the second here.
And
Peterborough 3-0 Blackpool: The same player bags a quickfire brace.
Championship final day latest
The race for play-off spots was very nearly OVER.
Bournemouth thought they had taken a 1-0 lead at home to Millwall, the only side left who could potentially catch Luton if they conceded an equaliser.
Marcondes has the ball in the net but a very late offside flag cancels those celebrations.
Still, it leaves the Lions (and Boro, if they get a move on with a miraculous turnaround) with barely half an hour to mount a big finish.
Championship final day latest
Middlesbrough’s revival did not last long.
Preston back into a two-goal lead, Emil Riis Jakobsen making it 3-1 there. Sheffield United are 4-0 up against Fulham as Enda Stevens adds another there.
Jordan Hugill has put Cardiff a goal up at relegated Derby, while West Brom have scored a third and fourth against Barnsley, Matthew Clarke and a second goal for Karlan Grant.
Championship final day latest
Back underway around the Championship...and an early goal!
Middlesbrough have put themselves back in with a hint of a chance as Marcus Tavernier pulls one back. They still trail Preston 2-1 and need Luton to concede against Reading, for starters.
But we’ve all seen crazy turnarounds in football recently...
Championship final day latest
Top-six race as it stands then...is actually looking on the verge of done and dusted.
Huddersfield are third ahead of Forest right now, while neither Boro nor Millwall are doing what they need to do to trouble Luton and Sheffield United, who are both winning.
AS IT STANDS:
5th Sheffield United, 75
6th Luton, 75
--
7th Middlesbrough, 70
8th Millwall, 70
Championship final day latest scores
Bournemouth 0-0 Millwall
Birmingham 0-2 Blackburn
Derby 0-0 Cardiff
Huddersfield 2-0 Bristol City
Hull 0-0 Nottingham Forest
Luton 1-0 Reading
Peterborough 1-0 Blackpool
Preston 2-0 Middlesbrough
Sheffield United 3-0 Fulham
Stoke 1-1 Coventry
Swansea 0-0 QPR
West Brom 2-0 Barnsley
Championship final day latest
GOAL!
An absolute SHOCKER from Reading goalkeeper Orjan Nyland and Luton are in the lead!
The ‘keeper has the ball in his hands, doesn’t check behind him and rolls it out to kick long and clear...but doesn’t spot Harry Cornick lurking behind him and the Luton man simply races in, nicks back possession and finishes into the empty net!
AS IT STANDS:
5th Sheffield United, 75
6th Luton, 75
--
7th Middlesbrough, 70
8th Millwall, 70
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments