Middlesbrough secure play-off place as Wolves celebrate title
Goals from Britt Assombalonga and Jonny Howson secured a 2-0 victory over Millwall that means Middlesbrough can start to prepare for the Championship playoffs and continue to dream of an instant return to the Premier League.
Manager Tony Pulis knows Aston Villa will be their opponents in the semi-finals of the play-offs if they leave Ipswich with at least a point next week. “We are delighted we are now in the play-offs and we are looking forward to those games,” he said.
Millwall, meanwhile, know only an improbable sequence of results in the final round of fixtures will earn them a top-six finish. They must beat Aston Villa at home and hope that Preston and Derby lose, but Derby’s goal difference is still likely to give them the edge.
Even manager Neil Harris accepts their race is run. “It’s a long shot,” he said. “We have to be realistic. We have been found wanting in our last two games against quality sides and shown a lack of ability to keep a clean sheet.”
Wolves lifted the Championship trophy after their final home game of the season, a goalless draw with Sheffield Wednesday.
“It is a special day,” said manager Nuno Espirito Santo. “A fantastic day. When you get something that is material and you can hold on to that is when you feel you are champions.
“I think we were the better team in the competition, more consistent and we deserved it after the hard work of the boys. It is a day that I will always remember.”
Barnsley beat Brentford 2-0 to move out of the relegation zone and end their opponents’ slim chances of making the play-offs, while Reading failed to secure their Championship status after conceding four goals in the final 19 minutes at home to Ipswich.
Birmingham’s fight for safety will also go down to the final day after they lost 3-1 to QPR at Loftus Road.