fbpx
Connect with us

Championship

Three relegations confirmed on the final day of the Championship season

Three relegations were all confirmed on what was a hotly anticipated final day of the Championship season, with plenty at stake.

Going to the 12:30pm kick off, we knew that it was between Wycombe, Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham and Derby, who were separated by only three points going into the last round – in which Derby and Wednesday play each other at Pride Park. However, Wycombe would need an enormous swing in goal difference to stay up.

Derby (21st) would be relegated to League One if they lose at home to to the Owls (23rd), who in turn would stay up. Rooney’s Rams will also be down if they draw and Rotherham (22nd) win at Cardiff. Wycombe (24th) – visiting Middlesbrough need an 11-goal swing, though are all but confirmed down.

The first big goal of the lunchtime kick offs came at the Cardiff City Stadium, and this caused quite a change to the bottom four.

A thunderous strike by Lewis Wing puts the Millers ahead on the 8th minute, causing wild celebrations for his side’s players.

It was a sensational first-time volley from 25 yards which went straight for the bottom right-hand corner just inside the post.

As results stood, the Millers were staying up and Derby would fall in the relegation zone.

At this point, nothing major to report from the Riverside. Marvin Johnson sent an early effort over the Wycombe bar. The visitors need to go goal-crazy. They need 13, and other results to help them out too.

Back at Pride Park on the 11th minute, it was almost an opener for Derby as Martyn Waghorn got on the end of a flick-on from Nathan Byrne’s corner.

However the experienced forward sent his header wide from point-blank range and then clattered into the post. It looked a nasty one, but was able to walk off the pitch, then played on after at least four minutes of treatment from medics.

On the 14th minute, Wycombe got scoring on Teesside.

The Chairboys were on the back foot for majority of the game and then Fred Onyedinma was released one-on-one with Jordan Archer.

The winger showed composure to dink over the Boro keeper. Just need another 12 goals. And one for Sheffield Wednesday. And a Cardiff equaliser.

Rotherham really should have gone 2-0 up on the 22nd minute.

Angus MacDonald, who was back in the side today, headed just wide of the Cardiff goal.

The Millers are staying up as things stood, but they could do with a cushion.

Wycombe come close to doubling their lead on the 30th minute mark.

Jordan Archer made a good save to tip an effort from Admiral Muskwe from a tight angle behind for a corner.

The Chairboys left with too much to do to stay up, but are battling on bravely in the final weeks of the campaign, everyone knew at the start of the campaign how much of a challenge it would be for them to stay up.

Wycombe looked to be heading down on a high. The Chairboys got some breathing space following some good hold-up play by Admiral Muskwe to set up their second on the 33rd minute.

The on-loan Leicester striker shield the ball, got to the byline and cut the ball back.

Garath McClearly was there to get on the end of it with a scrappy finish as he stumbled onto the ball.

Wycombe still need another 11 goals, and one for Sheffield Wednesday and Cardiff.

By this point, Michael Pearlman for BBC Sport Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium said: “Impossible to overstate how much Rotherham are dominating this game, they are absolutely all over Cardiff in every area and have missed a host of chances.

“They could/should be winning by more.

“If I was a Rotherham fan I’d be very worried by the fact the scoreline is only 1-0, because the performance merits more.”

Just before the 40th minute, Colin Kazim-Richards thinks he’s put the Rams ahead, but the goal was rightly ruled out for offside.

Sheffield Wednesday scored on the fourth minute of first half injury time to really mix it up.

Sam Hutchinson put the visitors ahead from a long throw.

Kelle Roos got down to save a Jordan Rhodes header after the throw in from the right was flicked on.

Hutchinson was there to tuck in the rebound, giving Wednesday hope of surviving.

At this point, Derby needed two goals now to stay up.

HALF TIME | STATE OF PLAY

Three relegations all but confirmed on the final day of the Championship season

Derby relegated to League One (1-0 down against Sheffield Wednesday)
Sheffield Wednesday relegated to League One (1-0 up against Derby)
Wycombe relegated to League One (2-0 up against Middlesbrough)

On the 49th minute, Derby got the start to the second half that they wanted.

Martyn Waghorn headed the Rams level from just outside the six yard box, diverting the ball towards the right-hand side of the net.

The hosts knew that another goal will keep them up at the expense of Rotherham.

And that is exactly what Rooney’s side got.

Patrick Roberts bent a brilliant long-range shot into the Owls net from 20 yards out.

This meant Derby would now be staying up after two goals in the space of four minutes.

On the 56th minute, Wycombe continued to score scored at the Riverside Stadium.

Jason McCarthy headed home from a corner to make it 3-0. The Chairboys are going to end their first-ever campaign in the second tier with victory.

The goals didn’t stop at Pride Park, as the Rams were sent right back into trouble on the 62nd minute.

It’s a defensive error by Derby allows Callum Paterson to make it 2-2 from close range. A Derby defender couldn’t diver the ball to safety and all eyes went back on how Rotherham are getting on, they were still leading 1-0 at Cardiff.

Ian Woodcock for BBC Sport at Pride Park said: “I was just thinking that Derby had dropped off far too deep and well, there you go.

“Wednesday have had much more of the ball since Derby’s quick double.

“Can Wednesday turn this back around?”

Well, again, that is what happened! Sheffield Wednesday took the lead on the 69th minute.

A dramatic game has a fifth goal, after Rams led 2-1 after the 52nd minute, they at this point were staring League One right in the face.

Julian Borner headed in right on the goalline as Sheffield Wednesday kept a corner alive and the ball was headed back from the far post.

Replays showed he might be narrowly offside, however no VAR in the Championship, so goal stands. Eeek.

What an extremely tense end for everyone involved in the final 10 minutes. There were goals at both Pride Park and the Cardiff City Stadium.

Incredible composure from Martyn Waghorn, who sendt his spot-kick high into the top-left corner to make it 3-3.

For about 20 seconds after that Marlon Pack leveller for Cardiff against Rotherham, Wednesday were staying up.

Derby were going to survive as things stood.

Rotherham came so close to staying in the Championship, however Marlon Pack’s equaliser with two minutes left send the Millers down.

Victory would have kept Rotherham up if Derby had dropped points. An immediate return to League One.

Wycombe sealed a fine win at Boro on the final day but they were left with too much to do. Their first-ever campaign in the second tier comes to an end.

Derby survive after a dramatic afternoon at Pride Park.

Sheffield Wednesday see their nine-year stay in the Championship ended.

FULL TIME | STATE OF PLAY
Sheffield Wednesday relegated to League One (drew 3-3 with Derby)
Rotherham relegated to League One (drew 3-3 with Sheff Wed)
Wycombe relegated to League One (won 3-0 against Middlesbrough)

FULL TIME SCORES
Barnsley 2-2 Norwich City
Blackburn Rovers 5-2 Birmingham City
Bournemouth 0-2 Stoke City
Bristol City 1-3 Brentford
Cardiff City 1-1 Rotherham United
Coventry City 6-1 Millwall
Derby County 3-3 Sheffield Wednesday
Middlesbrough 0-3 Wycombe Wanderers
Nottingham Forest 1-2 Preston
QPR 3-1 Luton Town
Reading 2-2 Huddersfield Town
Watford 2-0 Swansea City

Now you’ve seen three relegations confirmed on the final day of the Championship season, here is the fan reaction…

ON ROTHERHAM’S TWEET:

@LumbardiYT: LOOOL GOING DOWN

@Joedick93425036: Enjoy league one shit club

@MOTweets1919: Commiserations. Feel for Paul Warne. Top manager. Top bloke. Got so close so many times now. Deserves a chance at a more ambitious club higher up surely, but if he doesn’t go, then good luck to you next season and he’s the right man to take you back up

@BFCLucasJack: Unlucky lads you will be back let’s just all watch Wednesday go down with you

@JamesHammez7: Literally couldn’t have given anymore today but story of our season really, relegated by missed opportunity’s up top and very suspicious officiating. Roll on league one I know I’ll be there

ON WYCOMBE’S TWEET:

@rhysmfc_: Unlucky fellas. Was hoping for 0-13 but :/

@garrob66: A picture doesn’t say it all. No way you’d know from it that we’d been relegated. Shows the spirit of the club. Great effort boys, so proud

@jeremyspo: There can only be pride with these guys. Look at what we’ve done over 6/7 years compared to teams with massive history and resources. Great win today, no complaints with this year. Season ticket renewed, bring on the next one.

@FA__Ralph: quality today lads! We are easily good enough for this league and we will come back stronger! Also won wyc picks so been a good day

@andrewchappe11: Absolutely STUNNING performance and season. What a final position, could not be prouder of this team, so much heart, effort and pride. Heroes every one. We will smash it next season boys, keep that faith. SUPERSTARS

@RichHook_: Saved the biggest performance for last in a season of brilliant battling – won a lot of plaudits and more points than expected and showed we will be back! Can’t wait to see #Chairboys live in person next time we’re in @SkyBetChamp and just as much next season

Fans continued to react as three relegations were confirmed on the final day of the Championship season…

ON SHEFF WED’S TWEET:

@AlexRed00561762: BYEEEEEEEEREEEEEE HAHAHAHAHA. GOOOODBYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE. AHHAHHAHHAHAHHAHHAHHAHAHHAHHAHHAHAHHAHHAHHAHAHHAHHAHHAHA

@eddieffc: Never nice to see a big club suffer and go down. Best of luck next year.

@cafc___: Hope you enjoy league 1 next season #karma @SWFC

@aboutceltic: I feel your supporters. A points deduction through no fault of your own when the big sides from the Super League will face no punishment from their negligence. It’s completely unfair & shows how far our game has fallen.

@rhodesy_92: As a Hull City fan who was on here when all the Wednesday fans laughed at us when we got relegated… this is delicious.

@fife_owl: ….waiting for full apology from Chansiri. It’s HIS six point deduction. It’s HIM and his “ADVISOR” that assembled this ageing squad.

@RussAppleby: Can I have my refund from last season now please?

ON DERBY’S TWEET:

@dcfclewisss: Where’s the Leeds and Forest fans gone

@Flashstormer: wazzzzzaaaa. Leeds fans are cryin as we speak

@dcfcgally: MY FUCKING CLUB

@george_peck12: Don’t ever fucking do that again

@UTDBernardo: YESSSSSSSS ROOOONEYYYYY

@KrustyAIG: Ok, so let’s not do this again

@akflanders: Celebrating staying up by the skin of our teeth is not where we want to be. But the boys did us proud today, not giving up. Time to put this season behind us

After seeing three relegations confirmed on the final day of the Championship season, what surprised you? Let us know via our socials!

Related Topics
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

More in Championship