Wednesday win Cardiff showdown to seal playoff spot
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY booked their place in the Championship playoffs with a 3-0 victory in their top six shoot-out against Cardiff yesterday.
Sixth placed Wednesday knew avoiding defeat against seventh placed Cardiff would be enough to guarantee their spot in the end-ofseason play-offs as they held a four-point lead over the Bluebirds with two games left.
After a goalless first half at Hillsborough, Wednesday striker Gary Hooper opened the scoring and Lee Peltier’s own goal with 15 minutes left was followed by another Hooper strike as the hosts cruised into the playoffs.
“I said from the beginning that we were outsiders this season. We achieved this place because we have a fantastic group of players, they’re acting like a team,” Wednesday manager Carlos Carvalhal said.
“We feel strong at the moment. We saw that today. We saw the reaction when we lost the ball – we were like dogs.”
Despondent Cardiff manager Russell Slade added: “It hurts. You’re disappointed whenever you lose a football match.
“For half a game we were still in it but we’re very disappointed with the second half and, in particular, the goals we conceded.”
Hull were already assured of a play-off place but they slipped to a 1-0 defeat at relegated Bolton.
Substitute Stephen Dobbie fired home a cross from Lawrie Wilson to give League One-bound Wanderers a first home triumph in 15 matches and only their fifth win of the campaign.
Charlton restored some pride despite relegation with a 2-1 win at Leeds which did nothing to improve under-pressure Steve Evans’ hopes of continuing as manager at Elland Road next season.
Johann Gudmundsson gave the Addicks the lead late in the first half and Ademola Lookman doubled their advantage four minutes after the break to condemn Leeds to a first defeat in five matches despite Sol Bamba’s header.
Brentford struck twice inside the first seven minutes on their way to a 3-0 victory at home to west London rivals Fulham.
Ipswich defeated relegated Milton Keynes Dons 3-2, while Bristol City routed Huddersfield 40.
Preston secured their first win in six attempts as Dan Johnson’s stoppage-time goal sealed a 2-1 victory at Reading.
Shane Duffy’s header clinched a 1-0 win for Blackburn and ended Rotherham’s 11-match unbeaten run, while Nottingham Forest drew 1-1 with Wolves.
Today, the focus returns to the race for promotion to the Premier League as second placed Burnley host QPR and third placed Brighton take on Derby.
Middlesbrough are one point clear at the top after Friday’s 2-2 draw at Birmingham. – AFP