Bournemouth, Watford in promised land

– Bournemouth were promoted as Championship winners after routing Charlton 3- 0 to take the title from previous leaders Watford on the final day of the second-tier season on Saturday.

Eddie Howe’s team had effectively sealed their place in the Premier League last Monday when they defeated Bolton to move three points clear of Middlesbrough with a vastly superior goal difference.

The Cherries needed a point from their trip to the Valley to be certain of clinching a spot in the English elite for the first time and they achieved it with the added

London

bonus of finishing in first place.

Matt Ritchie gave them the perfect start with a 10th-minute goal and Harry Arter added the second two minutes later.

Ritchie netted again in the 85th minute and the 4 000 Bournemouth supporters who made the trip from the south coast to south London were able to celebrate the title when news fi ltered through that Watford had been forced to settle for a 1-1 draw after conceding a stoppage-time equaliser against Sheffield Wednesday.

“We are thankful for that bit of help but I do think we deserve it,” Howe (right) said.

“In my opinion we have been the best team this season.”

Watford had already secured their place in the Premier League last weekend, but their hopes of taking the winners’ trophy as well were dashed after Atdhe Nuhiu struck to cancel out Matej Vydra’s first-half goal at Vicarage Road.

There was more drama in the race for the play-offs as Derby slipped out of the top six, allowing Brentford to claim a place for the last spot in the Premier League.

Derby needed only one point at home to Reading to be certain of qualifying for the play-offs.

But Steve McClaren’s

side crumbled to a 3- 0 defeat as Reading ran riot thanks to goals from Kwesi Appiah, Michael Hector and Gareth McCleary.

The Rams had a chance to equalise after Appiah’s opener, but Darren Bent’s penalty was saved by Adam Federici.

Derby’s stumble allowed Brentford to rise to a fi fth-place finish as they cruised to a 3- 0 win over relegated Wigan at Griffin Park.

Brentford will face fourthplaced Middlesbrough for a place in the play-off final, with the second semifinal a potentially explosive East Anglian derby between Norwich and Ipswich. –