The Championship always throws up drama. Leeds returning to the Premier League, one side beating another 8-0, and teams waiting until the last possible second to either secure a place in the play offs or avoid relegation.
For pure entertainment, not much can match it, and the final day of the division on Wednesday did not disappoint.
So, here’s all you need to know from the second tier’s breathless final gameweek of the 2019/20 season.
THE BAGGIES ARE BACK IN THE @premierleague!!! ??? pic.twitter.com/poHF0yt8il
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) July 22, 2020
As we all know, Leeds secured their place in next season’s Premier League as title winners when West Brom and Brentford both lost their previous games. They comprehensively smashed Charlton 4-0 on Wednesday night, thanks to goals from Ben White, Stuart Dallas, Tyler Roberts and Jamie Shackleton, relegating their opponents in the process.
Going into the final day, West Brom, Brentford and Fulham all had a chance of grabbing second place, though the Baggies were in pole position ahead of their clash with QPR.
West Brom could only draw 2-2, but Brentford’s loss to Barnsley and Fulham’s draw with Wigan means the Baggies will play Premier League football again next term.
We regroup, we go again in the Play-Offs
? 1-2 ?#BrentfordFC #BREBAR pic.twitter.com/0SXiFW6NZo
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) July 22, 2020
Those results saw Brentford and Fulham take third and fourth respectively.
Cardiff‘s 3-0 victory over Hull meant they snuck into fifth, while Swansea‘s 4-1 triumph at Reading saw the Swans leapfrog Nottingham Forest into sixth on goals scored. Poor Forest, eh?
But more importantly, there is now the possibility of a Cardiff-Swansea play-off final, and who wouldn’t want to see that?
In those play-off semi finals, Brentford will face Swansea, while Cardiff will take on Fulham.
It’s all over at the DW. Whatever happens from this moment, every single one of these players can leave this field knowing they’ve given absolutely everything for this football club.
Heroes to a man.#wafc ???? pic.twitter.com/tBNfDntQfA
— Wigan Athletic (@LaticsOfficial) July 22, 2020
Hull were effectively already relegated before their trip to Cardiff, given they needed Barnsley, Luton and Charlton all to lose while also overturning over a 16-goal disadvantage on goal difference. However, their loss to Cardiff means the Tigers will be playing in League One next season.
Wigan were in danger due to their 12-point deduction, and their excellent late season run of form ultimately wasn’t enough. They failed to beat Fulham, so unless their appeal against that decision is successful, they will join Hull in the third tier.
Luton managed to escape the drop with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Blackburn, coming from behind courtesy of two own goals and James Collins’ penalty. That win means they’re safe, with Charlton – who were smashed at Leeds – going down.
Barnsley’s brilliant win against Brentford means they’re safe for now, though the Yorkshire club will be sweating on the result of Wigan’s appeal, given they ended up finishing 22nd.
Results
Birmingham 1-3 Derby
Brentford 1-2 Barnsley
Bristol City 1-1 Preston
Cardiff 3-0 Hull
Leeds 4-0 Charlton
Luton 3-2 Blackburn
Millwall 4-1 Huddersfield
Nottingham Forest 1-4 Stoke
Reading 1-4 Swansea
Sheffield Wednesday 1-2 Middlesbrough
West Brom 2-2 Queens Park Rangers
Wigan 1-1 Fulham
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