Skip to content

Championship round-up: Bolton survive as Cardiff are promoted

Bolton Wanderers' Aaron Wilbraham celebrates scoring his side's third goal during the Sky Bet Championship match against Nottingham Forest at the Macron Stadium on May 6, 2018
Image: Bolton Wanderers' Aaron Wilbraham celebrates scoring the winning goal against Nottingham Forest

Cardiff sealed promotion to the Premier League as Burton and Barnsley slipped out of the Sky Bet Championship on a dramatic final day.

The Welsh side were forced to settle for a goalless home draw against struggling Reading - but Fulham's 3-1 loss at Birmingham meant Neil Warnock's men could celebrate a return to the top flight after a three-year exile.

Barnsley's 4-1 loss at Derby ended their brief stay in the Championship. Cameron Jerome opened the scoring for the home side with a powerful left-foot shot in the 14th minute, then set up Matej Vydra for the Rams' second goal 10 minutes into the second half.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Highlights of the Sky Bet Championship match between Birmingham and Fulham.
VOTE: EFL Goals of the Month
VOTE: EFL Goals of the Month

Watch and Vote for your favourite April goals in the Sky Bet Championship, League One and League Two here...

Substitute Vydra then set up David Nugent for Derby's third midway through the second half. Tom Lawrence made it 4-0 in the 71st, before George Moncur's reply 10 minutes from time. The win secured the Rams' place in the play-offs.

Burton lost 2-1 at Preston, with Louis Moult's goal in added time ending their survival hopes. Bolton produced an impressive late finish to escape the clutches of League One as a result of a 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Highlights of the Sky Bet Championship match between Bolton and Nottingham Fore.

Adam Le Fondre volleyed Wanderers in front midway through the second half but Ben Osborn (70) and Jack Colback (79) turned things around and had Bolton staring relegation in the face.

However, goals from David Wheater (87) and Aaron Wilbraham (88) - who had earlier hit the post - kept the hosts up, sparking joyous scenes at the Macron Stadium.

Also See:

Play-off hopefuls Middlesbrough drew 2-2 at Ipswich. Freddie Sears (eight) and Martyn Waghorn's 83rd-minute penalty had the hosts ahead twice but Stewart Downing (71) and Patrick Bamford (90) earned the visitors a draw.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Highlights of the Sky Bet Championship match between Preston and Burton.

The other top six team, Aston Villa, lost 1-0 at Millwall. Shaun Williams got the decisive goal from the penalty spot in the 30th minute, before Lee Gregory missed another spot-kick for the Lions late on.

Elsewhere, bottom club Sunderland stunned champions Wolves 3-0, in front of prospective new owner Stewart Donald.

On-loan duo Ovie Ejaria (19) and Ashley Fletcher (45) had the hosts 2-0 ahead before Paddy McNair got Sunderland's third midway through the second half.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Highlights of the Sky Bet Championship match between Sunderland and Wolves.

Sheffield Wednesday drubbed Norwich 5-1 at Hillsborough, while Wednesday's city rivals Sheffield United were also final-day winners, 3-2 at Bristol City.

Leeds beat QPR 2-0 with goals from Kemar Roofe (30) and Kalvin Phillips (47), while Brentford and Hull drew 1-1 at Griffin Park.

Play Super 6
Play Super 6

Could you be the next Super 6 £250k jackpot winner? Enter your predictions for free here.

Around Sky