Sheffield United make Premier League return after 12-year absence
Sunday 28 April 2019 17:08, UK
Sheffield United have been promoted to the Premier League as a result of Leeds' draw with Aston Villa on Sunday.
Leeds needed to win to have any chance of preventing the Blades from joining Norwich in the top flight, but were held to a 1-1 draw at Elland Road.
Sheffield United had already made their return to the Premier League all-but certain on Saturday night with an impressive 2-0 victory over Ipswich at Bramall Lane.
The Sheffield United players and staff watched the Elland Road game together and following confirmation of their promotion, manager Chris Wilder told Sky Sports: "It's incredible for everybody, it's fantastic.
"First and foremost, Marcelo Bielsa full respect, Patrick Bamford not. He [Bielsa] did the right thing, Bamford didn't. I'm an old-fashioned football man and I have full respect.
"At the moment we're the second best team in the division and we're going to try and be the best next Sunday.
"It has been a proud experience to be the manager of this football club. Both of us [Wilder and Billy Sharp] have worked tirelessly to get this club back into the Premier League, so have a lot of the people behind us."
Captain Sharp added: "I'm so thankful to the gaffer and grateful to be part of this. To be captain is unbelievable. The gaffer's the best manager in the club's history, the fans will definitely agree with me - two promotions in three seasons to get us back to the Premier League for the first time in 12 years.
"The lads have been absolutely superb and it's because the gaffer's driven us on every single day, even if he's done our heads in at times."
Mateusz Klich put the home side in front as Villa players signalled for the ball to be put out of play so that the injured Jonathan Kodjia could receive treatment, the goal sparking a melee which led to Anwar El Ghazi being sent off for a clash with Patrick Bamford.
When play eventually resumed, Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa told his players to allow Villa to score an equaliser and although Pontus Jansson tried to stop him, Albert Adomah was allowed to slot the ball into an empty net.
