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By HARRY BAMFORTH and HENRY CLARK AT FRATTON PARK and MATT BARLOW AT CBS ARENA Published: 20: 10 AEST, 3 May 2025 | Updated: 23: 56 AEST, 3 May 2025 2 View comments Follow Mail Sport's live blog of the final day of the Sky Bet Championship for the latest score, team news and updates as either Leeds or Burnley will lift the title.   It really is a wild party down on the south coast. Pictures are flooding in as Leeds celebrate winning the Championship title on the final day. As I type this, Ethan Ampadu is about to get his hands on the silverware at last. What type of lift will he do? Every captain has his style, one that comes to mind is Jordan Henderson's shuffle. Or maybe he will just be generic. Frank Lampard, Coventry boss, speaking to Sky Sports: On Jack Rudoni's brace: On facing Sunderland in the play-offs: Football can be brutal, can't it? This time two years ago, Luton were on top of the world as they won the play-offs under Rob Edwards. The Hatters had been promoted to the Premier League after a long journey to the top. Well, how they have fallen apart since. Relegation from the top flight was bad enough, but I don't think anybody saw them going down again this year. Three wins heading into today gave them hope of staying up, but for 60 minutes at the Hawthorns, they were pathetic. Conceding five goals when you are fighting to stay up is embarrassing, really. You don't deserve to survive after a display like that. Still, it's going to suck. The players look devastated, as you would be. Full-time scores in the Championship: By Henry Clark At Fratton Park The party has well and truly begun at Home Park. The Leeds players have rushed over to the end where their fans are situated and are going mental. It's been a non-stop party this past week, but this may just be the biggest one of them all. I'm sure there will be a few sore heads in the morning, that's for sure. Now, we just have to wait for the trophy lift, which is just moments away. Time to pop the champagne. .. I'm jealous. By Henry Clark At Fratton Park Luke Power, Mail Sport: By Henry Clark At Fratton Park The Bristol City players celebrate as news filters through that Blackburn have drawn at Sheffield United. For the first time in 17 years, the Robins are in the play-offs! The fans leap over the hoardings and it's chaos on the Ashton Gate turf, the supporters flood it in celebration. What a moment for the club, they have waited for this for a long, long time. The last time they got to celebrate like this, I was only eight years old. .. Tells you everything you need to know. It's devastation for Blackburn. .. It just wasn't to be, and they come agonisngly close to the play-offs, but not close enough. Coventry have done it! It's job done for Frank Lampard and his players, they are heading for the play-offs. What an achievement. LEEDS ARE THE CHAMPIONS! They are not falling apart anymore, Daniel Farke's side have turned it around to pick up three points and win the title. Let the party begin. It looks like Bristol City have done enough! It's now a nervous wait as Blackburn are still playing over at Bramall Lane. Will they be able to celebrate soon? Back-to-back relegations for Luton. .. It's a dark day for the Hatters, they are on their way down to League One after just one season back in the Championship. They gave themselves just too much to do. HULL ARE STAYING UP! !! It's bedlam in the away end; a singular point is enough to save Hull on the final day. Pure and mesmerising limbs. You love to see it. Well, unless you are a Luton fan. Burnley may be heading to the Premier League, but without the title. Well, as things stand. .. It's a handsome win for the hosts, and I'm sure they will be partying tonight regardless. Job seemingly done for both Derby and Stoke, they are staying up. This is not a game that will long in the memory, but that won't matter to the pair of them. Josh Brownhill has his brace! The midfielder rounds off the season in style with a wonderful free-kick at the death. And what a season it has been! Pandemonium in the away end! Manor Soloman has his top off as he wheels away in celebration, he has surely just won Leeds the title. The Tottenham loanee produces quality right when his side need it to find the back of the net. The title is heading to Yorkshire, as things stand. This is mental, Luton are still alive. It's all Luton now, and Tahith Chong comes so, so close to getting another goal back. He cuts inside and drills the ball toward the bottom corner, but he is denied by the keeper. Fair play to the Hatters, they are going down fighting. Surely not, surely? There is life in Luton yet as Millenic Alli bends home his second of the day. They have left themselves too much to do, though. All eyes are on Fratton Park now, can Portsmouth save them at the death? JACK RUDONI DOES IT AGAIN! Coventry are surely home and hosed now and will be facing Sunderland in the play-offs. Brandon Thomas Asante is away, he races into the box, and slides the ball across to Rudoni to finish. The party has started at the CBS Arena! The goals really have been flying in everywhere, I just can't keep up. Cardiff are on the board at Carrow Road, they have pulled two goals back but still trail 4-2. Meanwhile, their rivals Swansea have led three times against Oxford United, and Liam Cullen has just put them back in front. Carnag, pure carnage. This is one hell of a game, my word. Now, it's Middlesbrough's turn to smash the ball against the woodwork, and it's Morgan Whittaker. The winger does brilliantly to work his way inside and then lets fly across Ben Wilson from the edge of the area. But the ball smashes back off the post. Wow, wow, wow. .. How are Coventry not two goals to the good? I really can't believe it. The hosts are hammering at the door, with Brandon Thomas-Asante crashing a long-range effort off the post. Moments later, though, you think he has scored. The ball drops to the forward just six yards out, and he smashes it toward goal, but somehow it's blocked. Crazy. Oh, I thought that was the moment. Joel Piroe thought he has turned this game around, but the flag is up for an offside in the build-up. Willy Gnonto looks like he is in, slides the ball across, and Piroe finishes. However, a slight flick toward the Italian in the build-up means he is offside. That is so, so tight. .. but there is no VAR. Ashton Gate erupts! ! I told you they were alive, and now Bristol City are back level in a flash. It's Ross Mc Crorie with a brace, who saw that coming? Jason Knight sends the ball through, and Mc Crorie is like a prime striker as he slides the ball home. Can they win in it now? By Henry Clark At Fratton Park And breathe. .. For just a few moments, I don't have a goal to take about. .. yippee. That doesn't mean time to rest, though; there are still chances going on around the grounds. And as I type this. Jason Knight almost snaps the crossbar with one hell of a strike. Bristol City are alive and kicking now, that's for sure. Oh, hello, hello, hello. .. Bristol City finally take the handbrake off, and Ross Mc Crorie pulls a goal back for the hosts. The full-back ghosts in at the back stick to nod home in style, and he picks up the ball and races to the centre circle. Game on! Is that the goal that wins the title? ? Jaidon Anthony almost takes the roof off of Turf Moor with a brilliant goal - not that it has a roof. He takes a magical touch to take down a long ball and race through on goal, before sliding the ball low into the corner. A huge stride toward the Championship title. What a goal that is! It's only a consolation from the Hatters, but that is some strike from Jordan Clark to pull one back. He cuts inside from the left 25 yards out and bends the ball beautifully into the far corner. They couldn't, could they? What am I on about? Of course, they can't. Luton are truly crumbling here! This is getting silly now; Callum Styles has another, and Luton really are doomed now, surely? He has a pop from range, it takes a massive deflection, and then it hits the back of the net. I think it's all over now, don't you? It just gets better for Preston! Bristol are stumbling toward the play-offs like some of their fans will be stumbling later tonight if they don't make. Or if they do, either way. Milutin Osmajic races away, and you just know he is never going to miss. Of course, he doesn't. The away end starts to spill onto the pitch, they are going crazy. The play-off landscape changes again! Sheffield United land a massive blow to Blackburn's hopes of the play-offs, and Anel Ahmedhodzic taps home the equaliser. Blackburn fail to deal with the cross, and it bounces all the way through to the United skipper to score. Rovers drop out of the top six. That away end is so nervy, you can feel the anxiety. Luton may be getting battered right now, but Hull simply have to do their job. As it stands, they are staying up, but if they concede another, League One beckons. A huge 30 minutes coming up. West Brom are running riot! ! Luton are solely relying on Portsmouth now in their hopes for survival. West Brom are ripping the Hatters to shreds, and Callum Styles slides home a fourth. An embarrassing display from the visitors, right when it matters. Luton have hope! ! Portsmouth do the Hatters a huge favour, and what an equaliser it is from Christian Saydee. The half-time substitute is fed down the left, he makes his way into the box, and blasts the ball across the goalkeeper. The battle for survival heats up! The title race takes another turn! Willy Gonoto taps home a leveller, and all of a sudden Leeds are on course to win the league. It's a scrappy one, but those away fans don't care; it's bedlam in that end. Can they go on and win it now? It's so nearly four, That is nearly spectacular from Alex Mowatt as he slices a volley inches wide from outside the area. The tekkers are real; that really would have been a screamer. Had that gone in, it would have been game over and season over for Luton. But they hang on that little bit longer. Massive, massive goal in the play-off battle! Yuki Ohashi sends the away end into pandemonium as he sends Blackburn into sixth place. He drives it home via a deflection, and then a flare is thrown onto the pitch by the Rovers fans. That could be a huge goal. My word, Bristol City are asleep at the back today. Preston come close to pulling two ahead, and it's Milutin Osmajic who streaks away down the right. He tries to drill the ball in at the near post, but can only find the side-netting. Not the start to the second half that Liam Manning will have wanted. Right guys, we are back underway! 45 more minutes of drama and we will know who is staying up, who is going down, and who will win the title. A massive half of footie coming up. Luke Power, Mail Sport: Half-time scores in the Championship: Luton have a mountain to climb. .. The Hatters are on the brink as a poor first half means they are in the final relegation spot, at the moment. It feels like they need a miracle now. The Hull end celebrates as the whistle goes for half-time. As things stand, Matt Crooks' opener means that they will stay in the Championship. Can they do the unthinkable? 45 minutes from glory. .. With Leeds losing down on the south coast, this point would be enough to secure the title for Burnley. A bad day for Leeds, so far. They have been on top, but Sam Byram's own goal means the title is heading to Turf Moor, as things stand. What a time to score the opener! Jack Rudoni's header means that Coventry lead at the break, and the CBS Arena roars as the whistle goes. A huge 45 minutes coming up. It can't get any worse than that. Cagey doesn't quite tell the story; that was a terrible half of football at Pride Park. It can't only get better, guys. Well, I hope. Preston are 45 minutes from safety! Preston are doing everything they need to do in their bid to stay up. Bristol City's place in the play-offs is hanging by a thread. The CBS Arena erupts! !! Just as it looked as though Middlesbrough were closing in on an opener, Jack Rudoni breaks the deadlock for Coventry. It's sensational work down the right by Sakamoto, who has been unreal all game, and he whips in a teasing cross. Rudoni charges into the box and meets it with his noggin, before the ball hits the back of the net. Massive, massive goal. Oh no, I am absolutely stunned this is a draw. .. Obviously not, this is a result that suits both teams in their fight for survival. Barely anything is happening in this game; Stoke's game plan of sitting back is killing it stone dead. As things stand, both clubs are staying up. What a save from Ben Wilson, wow! Finn Azaz thinks he has scored as he bends the ball toward the bottom corner, and honestly, so did I. But Wilson does brilliantly well to get down to his left and palm the ball just wide of the post. Middlesbrough well on top. Oh. My. Word. That may just be the miss of the season from Josh Coburn, I can't believe it. The ball is slid across the six-yard box, and Coburn has the goal at his mercy; it would be easier to miss. Somehow, that's what he does as he slides the ball wide from three yards out. Even I could have scored that, and I am rubbish at football. Coburn looks like he wants the ground to swallow him up. Ohhhh, what a goal that would have been! Samuel Iling-Junior comes just whiskers away from belting in one of the goals of the season. He runs onto the ball 25 yards out and hits it first time. It's one hell of a strike and looks like it is bending toward the top corner. But it veers wide at the last second. So close. I can see why Cardiff are going down, jeez. They are being ripped apart at Carrow Road, and Borja Sainz has added a third for Norwich. City's rivals Swansea, meanwhile, are having a good day as Eom Ji-Sung has fired them in front. Sheffield Wednesday are also ahead. Luton are falling apart here. They look destined for League One now as Tom Fellows gets his second of the game. It's a lovely goal from the hosts as Daryl Dike holds up play before setting the Baggies on their way. Tom Fellows ghosts in and then chips Kaminski in style to land another blow to Luton's survival hopes. The West Brom fans sing 'cheerio'. .. By Matt Barlow At Cbs Arena Things go from bad to worse for Luton. .. The Hatters look like they are heading down to League One as Daryl Dike nods West Brom back in front. It's a huge goal for the American, who has been hampered by injury all season, and he heads the ball beautifully across the keeper inside the box. I'm sure the Hull fans will love him now. By Henry Clark At Fratton Park Who saw this coming? I mean, this league always throws up curveballs on the final day, and this is one of them. Preston take a monster stride toward survival as Emil Riis turns home a corner to give them the lead. Ashton Gate is shellshocked. How are Leeds not level? ?? The promoted side have reacted well to going behind and how they have not put away one of these two chances, I don't know. The first one falls to Joel Piroe six yards out, but he blazes the ball miles over. Moments later, the ball is flashed across the six-yard box, but somehow Willy Gnonto doesn't tap home. I mean, how? Just how? The Championship may be being its chaotic self at most of the grounds, but not this one. If I were only covering proceedings at Bramall Lane, I think I would be falling asleep. Not much is going on. Oh dear. .. Mustapha Bundu has a sensational solo goal ripped off him at the last moment. He dances through the Leeds midfield and defence from the left, before arcing the ball toward the far corner. But it takes a massive deflection off of Sam Byram and hits the back of the net. That will go down as an own goal. .. Huge goal at Fratton Park! It's utter limbs in the away end as Matt Crooks sends Hull out of the relegation zone, for now. Hull's brilliant start gets it reward as the ball is flicked on in the box and Crooks races in to tap home. Just how big will that goal be? It's been a mental day already, and it's hard to keep up. Cardiff have had a stinking few minutes as Norwich opened the scoring through Marcelino Nunez. And now the Championship's bottom side are down to 10 men as Calum Chambers is sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity. And just as I type that, Nunez scores the resulting free-kick. Brutal. Meanwhile, QPR are ahead at Sunderland thanks to Nicolas Madsen. Another quick response! Millwall weren't in the play-off positions for long, as Josh Brownhill scores yet another goal. The hosts are straight on the attack after conceding, and the midfielder strokes the ball calmly into the bottom corner. A lovely finish. A huge goal in the race for the play-offs! Mihailo Ivanovic sends Millwall into the play-off places as he ghosts in behind the Burnley defence to tap home. It means that Burnley will not break the clean sheet record in an English football season. Not sure they will care, but Millwall will. An instant response from Luton! ! Luton were not in the relegation zone for long as Millenic Alli arrows them back level. It's a lovely finish from the forward as he drives the ball into the bottom corner with style. Game on! The party atmosphere has just been ramped up another level. They have heard the news from Fratton Park, and the chants just get louder. As things stand, they are staying up. Meanwhile, Lewie Coyle comes close with a bending effort, but his strike is beaten away. The visitors on top here. A massive early goal in the relegation scrap! It's a nightmare start for Luton Town as West Brom score with their very first chance. Tome Fellows picks up the ball down the right-hand side of the box and manages to arrow it in off the post. As things stand, Luton are heading for League One. By Henry Clark At Fratton Park Ohhhh, you have to do better there! Coventry have come flying out of the blocks and they really should be a goal to the good. The ball is whipped into the box, and it drops to Ellis Simms just eight yards out. You expect him to finish, but he flashes his volley wide. .. It's all Burnley at Turf Moor. You'd expect them to maybe suffer a bit of a hangover after the celebrations of promotion. But that's not the case, they are stroking the ball about crisply here and look like they mean business. I say that, but they haven't done anything with it yet. My word, this Preston side look nervy. It's only been a couple of minutes, but every time that Preston get the ball they just rush to try and get it away from their goal. I mean, it makes sense. They are just doing all they can to not lose here. If I were a Preston fan watching this, I would be bricking it. .. Right then, it's time for the chaos to begin. If you think the last nine months have been dramatic, just wait until these next 90 minutes. It's going to be an emotional rollercoaster, and I am here for it! By Henry Clark At Fratton Park Scott Parker, Burnley boss, speaking to Sky Sports: No, there are no helicopters involved. I have heard some proper wild theories in my time when it comes to how the Championship trophy is transported to the ground, depending on who wins it. From Helicopter rides to plane transport. Most people think the trophy gets a luxury route to the stadium. Well, that's not the case. There is actually a replica trophy at both Turf Moor and Home Park, ready for whoever wins the Championship. Will it be Burnley, or will it be Leeds? By Matt Barlow At Cbs Arena I bet there are a lot of fans who didn't get sleep last night. I wasn't messing about when talking about the magnitude of this day, it's absolutely huge. Fans are now starting to flock in, and I'm sure the pints will be flowing to try and relax. Whatever happens, I am sure they will be flowing the final whistle too, eh? I don't need to spell out why. .. Frank Lampard, Coventry boss, speaking on Friday: By Matt Barlow At Cbs Arena It almost feels like a play-off to get into the play-offs today, doesn't it? This isn't no 'ordinary' game, as Michael Carrick said, this is massive for both Coventry and Middlesbrough. It's almost winner takes all. Well, that is certainly the case for Coventry. If they pick up three points, their place in the play-offs is secure. The scenario is not as straightforward for Middlesbrough, though. They need to win and hope that both Millwall and Blackburn lose. To say this is a seismic day for the pair of them is an understatement. Is this Bristol City's year, at last? The fact that the city has never had a team in the Premier League is actually mental, if you think about it. The Robins have not been in the top flight for over 40 years and are the most Championship side in the league. You know what I mean, you think of the Championship and Bristol City are one of the first teams that come to mind. They just scream second-tier. .. Well, if all goes well today against Preston, they will take a massive step toward changing that narrative. City have not been in the play-offs since 2008, when they lost in the final. It's been a long, painful journey back to them ever since, although it's not necessarily over yet. Will nerves get the better of them after they got battered by Leeds last week? Robins fans will be hoping not, but you never know. By Henry Clark At Fratton Park And last, but not least. .. Here are your teams for the battle at the bottom over in Derby. Both just need a draw to stay up, remember. How are we feeling, Luton fans? Well, this is both yours and West Brom's line-ups in what is a huge clash at the Hawthorns. Over in Bristol, these are the teams for the big day. Massive day, in fact, for both teams. Here are the 22 taking to the pitch in the West Midlands. By Harry Bamforth Nope, that's not Robert Pires. .. If it were, Millwall would be in for one tough afternoon. I mean, they are anyway, to be honest. And yes, I know I said no text, but I can't help it. By Harry Bamforth Team news from the crunch match at the bottom. By Harry Bamforth The line-ups are out at Elland Road. .. By Harry Bamforth Right guys, the team news is upon us. Before I reveal the teams, I have to tell you that it will not be displayed in a normal manner. Why is that? Well, the fact that there are 12 games it's just too hard to get all of them into here. So, I am going to show you the team news of the seven feature games, but they will not be accompanied by the usual text. I hope that's OK, it's just a one-off, I swear. By Harry Bamforth This is another tasty storyline. .. Sheffield United and Sunderland have already secured their spots in the play-offs, but there are two still up for grabs. Bristol City and Coventry are currently in pole position to claim them, but there are three other teams still in with a chance. Coventry are sixth on 66 points, but have a slightly better goal difference than Millwall on the same number of points. Blackburn have 65, while Middlesbrough have 64. Frank Lampard's side face off with Boro, which is where most of the eyes will be. Most likely, whoever wins that is in. Well, unless Millwall surprise Burnley, or Blackburn turn up to Bramall Lane and do a job on Chris Wilder's men. It really is another tough one to call; all the battles are. By Harry Bamforth Now, this is where it gets tasty. With the promotion race already wrapped up, that story; one isn't really that interesting. However, the battle at the bottom ios where it's at. There are still five teams battling to stay up, with two points separating them all. I know, right. .. It's mental, just two points. Technically, Plymouth are the sixth side in the fight, but they need a miracle. The Pilgrims are three points adrift and need to batter Leeds, and hope Luton get smashed to overturn a -14 goal difference. Yeah, unlikely, isn't it? Hull currently occupy the final relegation spot on 48 points, with Luton, Preston, and Derby all on just 49 points above them. Stoke aren't safe on 50 points, but it's pretty hard to see them going down, if I'm being honest. But you just never know with this league, it throws up some crazy moments when you least expect it. I can't call this race for survival. .. By Harry Bamforth Will it be Leeds, or will it be Burnley? It is a question we have all been asking for the last few days. Which side will get their hands on the Championship title? I mean, I doubt either of them really care that much, surely? They probably all have sore heads from celebrating promotion. Still, a trophy is a trophy, and it would be nice to go up as title winners, I guess. Both The Clarets and United are locked on 97 points each, so whoever gets the better result wins it. Leeds do currently have the better goal difference, mind. So as long as they equal Burnley's result, the trophy is all theirs. However, I have a sneaky suspicion Burnley will win it, seeing as they are at home. But my predictions normally jinx teams, can't lie. Sorry in advance Clarets. .. By Harry Bamforth When I say this is going to be chaotic, I mean it. I need all the luck I can get today, so please have me in your thoughts. there are 12 games going on at the same time. Yes, 12! Now, not all of them have a lot on them, but most do. I will be providing all the major updates from seven that have something on them, while also doing less regular updates from the other five. So, with that being said, here is the schedule: By Harry Bamforth It all comes down to this. Nine months. 45 games each. Hghs. Lows. And now it's all on the line. It's the Championship final day. This is one of my favourite days in the footballing calendar; it's just utter chaos. You guys know how much I love chaos. The emotions we will see up and down the country will be like no other day in football. The ecstasy, the agony. The tears of joy, the tears of sadness. It's going to be one hell of a ride. The pendulum is going to be swinging a hell of a lot today. Whether the title heads to Yorkshire or Lancashire is yet to be decided, while two play-off spots are up for grabs. There is also one relegation spot still on the line, with Plymouth practically doomed down in 23rd. Strap yourselves in and enjoy a rollercoaster of a day. Quite the final day, everything went to the wire. . ..

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