CHAMPIONSHIP REVIEW
DOMINIC Solanke’s 30th goal of the season helped Bournemouth retain the advantage over Nottingham Forest in the race for automatic promotion from the Skybet Championship.
The former Liverpool and Chelsea forward’s 21st-minute effort, followed by two in the second half from Philip Billing, secured a 3-0 win and ended Blackburn’s playoff chances.
It kept the Cherries three points ahead of Forest, 5-1 winners over Swansea, ahead of the pair’s meeting in midweek.
It also means Fulham’s coronation as champions will have to wait until at least Monday, when a win against Luton will provide confirmation.
Huddersfield remain in fourth but automatic promotion is essentially now beyond them, such is their inferior goal difference, after their 2-1 win at Coventry.
Harry Toffolo’s fourth goal in six matches put the hosts ahead and January signing Tino Anjorin’s penalty, his first for the club, doubled the advantage before Viktor Gyokeres pulled one back late on.
Middlesbrough remain in the hunt for a play-off place after a 3-1 win at home to Stoke.
Matt Crooks’ 10th and 11th goals of the season either side of a Lewis Baker own goal retained Boro’s interest in the promotion race despite a late Nick Powell consolation.
However, Millwall’s hopes of sneaking in on the last day of the regular season require a significant change in goal difference despite their 3-0 win over Peterborough.
Benik Afobe and George Saville scored in the second half either side of a Josh Knight own goal. They remain three points behind sixth-placed Sheffield United with one match to play but are six goals worse off.
In the mid-table safety zone, West Brom beat Reading courtesy of a solitary 78th-minute Karlan Grant goal, while Daniel Johnson scored twice as Preston came from behind to beat relegated Barnsley 3-1.
Johnson quickly cancelled out Aiden Marsh’s 17th-minute opener and then doubled his tally shortly after half-time, with Riis Jakobsen’s 19th goal of the season sealing victory.
Relegated Derby beat Blackpool 2-0 when Malcolm Ebiowei and Eiran Cashin scored late in the second half after goalkeeper Kelle Roos saved Gary Madine’s first-half penalty.
Bristol City beat Hull 5-0 with two goals each from Andi Weimann and Chris Martin, Antoine Semenyo adding the other, and Cardiff drew 1-1 with Birmingham.