The Championship is hotting up, there are three different races in the league that everyone is dying to see what happens with. Wolves look to have secured the title after victory over Cardiff who are now looking over their shoulders with Fulham just two points behind them. The race for the top six his hotting up as is the battle to stay in the league below is a round up of all the games.
Cardiff 0-1 Wolves:
This was the big game of the weekend on Friday night as Cardiff looked to cement second place in the league and cut the gap to Wolves to just three points, but they were unable to a beautiful Ruben Neves free kick was the difference between the two sides. There was drama at the end as Cardiff missed two stoppage time penalties first from Gary Madine and the second from Hoilett. Neil Warnock was unhappy with with Nuno Santos for the way he behaved at the end of the game as emotions boiled over.
Barnsley 3-2 Sheffield United
This was a huge win for Barnsley a first home win in 12 games and with other results going the way they did it was vital that Barnsley got this win. They took the lead through Gary Gardner who's strike from outside the box made Sky's goal of the day poll. However, after the break the play-off chasing Blades turned it round with goals from John Fleck and top scorer Leon Clarke. The Blades never looked comfortable and the Tykes levelled through on loan Swansea man Ollie McBurnie and with two minutes to go Tom Bradshaw won it for Barnsley who move to within two points of Bolton with a game in hand. For the Blades its a huge blow to their play-off hopes.
Norwich 3-1 Aston Villa
To say that Norwich have underachieved this season is an understatement but their recent form has given their fans hope ahead of next season and they were much better than a below par Aston Villa side in Saturday's other early kick off. Josh Murphy curled home a beauty to give the home side the lead, Srbeny then doubled the lead before Jack Grealish brought Villa back into the game before James Maddison added a third for Norwich to all but end Aston Villa's automatic promotion hopes. The play-offs now seem the best Villa fans can hope for.
Birmingham 1-1 Burton
This was the big game at the bottom of the table and for a long time it looked like Burton were going to get a much needed win in the battle against the drop but Birmingham had won their previous three games before this one and created enough chances to win two games so Garry Monk would have been pleased when Lukas Jutkiewicz levelled for the home side with two minutes left. The draw leaves Birmingham three points outside the relegation places while Burton are seven from safety with just five games to play.
Brentford 1-0 Ipswich
Brentford's faint play-off hopes are still alive after victory over Ipswich. This was a fairly uneventful game, the only talking point was the penalty when Jonas Knudsen shoved Sergi Canos in the box. Neal Mupay stepped up and covered the penalty sending the keeper the wrong way and Ipswich never replied. Mick McCarthy's tenure at Portman Road is ending with a whimper.
Derby 3-0 Bolton
Derby made it back to back wins with a 3-0 win over Bolton at the Pride Park. Alex Pearce gave the hosts the lead after just six minutes, Championship top scorer Matej Vydra doubled the lead before Tom Lawerence added a third in the second half. Derby stay 5th in the table while Bolton after a good run are now just two points clear of the relegation places having played a game more than Barnsley.
Hull 4-0 QPR
Thus was a big win for Hull who in my eyes are now safe from the drop. Nigel Adkins has done a good job in difficult circumstances there. It was three minutes at the end of the first half that killed Rangers as Harry Wilson gave the hosts the lead on 42 before an own goal by Smithies made it 2-0 at the break. Grosicki made it three before Abel Hernandez added a fourth, I wonder what Hull's season would have been like had they had him fit all season. As for Rangers they have been woeful away from home all season but they are safe on 50 points.
Leeds 1-1 Sunderland
A season that promised so much for Leeds has once again delivered very little as the Whites have failed to make the play-offs once again. The future of Paul Hckingbottom's will defiantly be in question over the summer as he has failed to lift the form of Leeds since his arrival. This was a big chance for Sunderland to make up ground but their failure to hold on to the lead here cost them dearly. Paddy McNair gave them the lead just after break but Pablo Hernandez levelled with 18 minutes to play. Baradi was sent off for the fifth time this season meaning he will play no further part in Leeds's season. Back to back relegations now look destined for Sunderland who along with Burton are seven points from safety with five to play and could both be relegated as soon as next weekend.
Boro 2-0 Forest
Forest are now on a run of five games without scoring after losing 2-0 at the Riverside. It was a win that kept Boro in the play off places as they did their damage in the first half. A goal from Daniel Ayala in the 7th minute was followed by 31st minute strike from Stuart Downing as the Boro stay sixth in the table but have a huge game at Sheffield United in midweek which is a chance for them to eliminate another side aiming to take their place in the top six. For Forest their season is once again passing them by as they start planning for next season and making a charge for the top six next season.
Millwall 2-0 Bristol City
The Lions kept up their charge for Championship play-offs with a 2-0 win over Bristol City who now haven't won away since December and for the second game in a row failed to get a shot on target. Jed Wallace gave the Lions the lead with a stunner on eleven minutes before Steve Morison added a second in the 2nd half to give the Lions a third straight home win and clean sheet their 17th of the season, they sit just a point outside the top six. Bristol City are now four points behind in the play off race.
Reading 1-0 Preston
Preston's Play-off hopes now look dead in the water after a bad easter and defeat at Reading. Paul Clement has won both of his two home games in charge of the royals 1-0. Mo Barrow's 10th goal of the season was enough to put this one to bed and move the Royals onto 42 points within touching distance of safety, while Preston continue to drop of the pace in the race for the play-offs.
Sheffield Wednesday 0-1 Fulham
The unstoppable force that is Fulham win again thats now 19 games unbeaten and their hopes of automatic promotion are back on after Cardiff's defeat against Wolves. Aleksander Mitrovic scored the winner at Hillsborough, what a signing he has proved to be for the Whites as they target the Premier League.
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