Rotherham stun 10-man Middlesbrough to secure Championship survival
Rotherham ensured they will be playing Championship football again next season with a battling 1-0 victory over 10-man Middlesbrough.
The Millers had been relegated in each of their previous three campaigns at this level but Hakeem Odoffin’s powerful second-half strike secured survival before their final-day trip to the bottom side Wigan, who are already down.
Middlesbrough lost defender Anfernee Dijksteel to a straight red card just before half-time and could find no way back once Odoffin struck three minutes into the second half. Michael Carrick’s side are now guaranteed to finish fourth in the table, with Luton securing third spot as a result of Boro’s defeat.
It might have been a different story for the visitors, had they made the most of an early chance when Riley McGree outpaced Richard Wood. The Boro forward flicked his effort beyond home goalkeeper Viktor Johansson but Wood managed to get back and stop the ball from crossing the line.
Rotherham then forged a chance of their own from Wes Harding’s long throw but Jamie Lindsay fired off target. The home side suffered a blow when dangerman Chiedozie Ogbene picked up an injury, before Middlesbroughborn Jordan Hugill almost got on the end of a curling cross from Ollie Rathbone
for the hosts.
It was Middlesbrough’s turn to suffer a setback just before the break when they were reduced to 10 men after Dijksteel bundled over Hugill and blocked his path to goal. The foul also gave Rotherham a shooting chance from the edge of the box but Cohen Bramall’s free-kick was off target.
United did not have to wait too much longer to take the lead though, with Odoffin netting what would prove to be the winner in the 48th minute. The midfielder powered a low shot from the edge of the box that beat keeper Zach Steffen.
Even a man down Middlesbrough continued to pose a threat. The former Rotherham midfielder Dan Barlaser, who swapped clubs in January, sent a long-range shot comfortably over the bar, before substitute Tommy Smith sliced over at the back post from McGree’s flick.
Rotherham fans were calling for another red card when Paddy McNair looked like he had hauled down Georgie Kelly on his way through to goal, but the appeals were dismissed by the referee Keith Stroud.
The Championship’s top scorer, Chuba Akpom, had been having a quiet afternoon until he burst into life with a menacing run and strike which had to be deflected over the bar. Johansson also had to pull off a despairing late save when a cross was diverted goalwards by Lindsay as Rotherham held on for a vital result.
Victory guarantees they cannot be caught by Reading who, following their six-point deduction, occupy the third and final relegation spot. The Royals can now only catch Huddersfield, who are three points above them.
Neil Warnock’s side host Sheffield United in their game in hand on Thursday, and need a point to condemn Reading to the third tier before the two sides meet at the John Smith’s Stadium next Monday.