Yes, Cardiff can!
Vincent’s Cardiff promoted to Premier League
Cardiff were promoted to the Premier League after a goalless draw against Reading secured them second place in England’s second tier Championship. The Bluebirds finished with 90 points, two points ahead of third-placed Fulham, who suffered a shock 3-1 defeat at Birmingham on the final day of the campaign. The final whistle was delayed at the Cardiff City Stadium because of a pitch invasion in the final minute of injury time. There was another one after full time, when Cardiff’s Malaysian owner – Tan Sri Vincent Tan – was carried on the shoulders of fans. Cardiff re-enter the top flight for the first time since the 2013-14 season.
LONDON: Cardiff returned to the Premier League when a goalless draw at home to Reading was enough to give veteran manager Neil Warnock a record eighth promotion.
Only the top two at the end of the regular season were guaranteed a place in English football’s lucrative top flight and second-tier title-winners Wolves had already secured one of those spots heading into yesterday’s final round of regular-season Championship matches.
A draw left Cardiff waiting on Fulham’s result at Birmingham, but the Cottagers 3-1 loss left the London club facing the lottery of the playoffs, where the teams finishing third-sixth compete for the lone remaining promotion place.
The draw saw Cardiff return to the Premier League after a single season in the competition in 2013/14.
When Warnock took over some 18 months ago, Cardiff were at the other end of the table but Malaysian owner Tan Sri Vincent Tan’s decision to bring the experienced manager to the Welsh capital paid dividends.
“It’s the biggest achievement in my 38-year career by an absolute mile,” Cardiff manager Neil Warnock told Sky Sports.
“I’ve got a great bunch of lads. Nobody gave us a chance. I’m so proud of them. In the end we did enough.
“I’ve had some great promotions and squads but because of the circumstances when I came here, second bottom, it’s the proudest achievement of my life,” added Warnock.
Birmingham were still facing relegation when they kicked off but firsthalf goals from Lukas Jutkiewicz (15) and Harlee Dean (43) settled their nerves.
Tom Cairney scored for Fulham with six minutes left but Che Adams’ 89th-minute goal put the result beyond doubt.
Barnsley’s 4-1 loss at Derby ended their brief stay in the Championship, with Burton – managed by Nigel Clough – also relegated after a 2-1 loss at Preston.
Meanwhile, Bolton beat the drop in remarkable fashion after beating Nottingham Forest 3-2.
Bolton were going down with three minutes left when Forest led 2-1 after goals from Ben Osborn (70) and Jack Colback (79) overturning Adam Le Fondre’s early volley.
But David Wheater (87) and Aaron Wilbraham (88) scored to keep northwest side Bolton in the division to the delight of their delirious home crowd.
Elsewhere, bottom club Sunderland stunned champions Wolves 3-0, in front of prospective new owner Stewart Donald.
On-loan pair Ovie Ejaria (19) and Ashley Fletcher (45) put the hosts 2-0 up before Paddy McNair scored Sunderland’s third midway through the second half.
Atdhe Nuhiu (14, 60 and 90) hit a hattrick in Sheffield Wednesday’s 5-1 thrashing of Norwich at Hillsborough, with Wednesday’s city rivals United winning 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. — AFP