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Championship Review: Rotherham relegated, Derby secure vital win

SoccerNews in General Soccer News 27 Apr 2019

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Rotherham United suffered relegation from the Championship on a day when Derby County gave their play-off hopes a huge boost.

The Millers succumbed to defeat at high-flying West Brom, meaning Millwall can afford to breathe easy going into their final two games.

At the top end of the table, the Rams claimed a potentially crucial victory over fellow play-off hopefuls Bristol City.

Elsewhere, Middlesbrough kept pace with Frank Lampard’s side courtesy of a come-from-behind win over lowly Reading.

MILLERS DOWN AND OUT

Having started the season among the favourites for the drop, Rotherham ultimately failed to overcome the odds.

But Paul Warne’s side threatened an upset at The Hawthorns on Saturday, with Clark Robertson’s header handing them a lead they held until the final 13 minutes.

The Baggies hit back with a quick-fire double through Jay Rodriguez from the spot and Rekeem Harper’s strike.

That left the visitors four points behind 21st-placed Millwall – who drew 0-0 with Stoke City in the early game – with only one match left for the Yorkshire club.

Rotherham will join Ipswich Town and Bolton Wanderers – whose match with Brentford was postponed amid a player strike – in League One next season.

DERBY EDGE CLOSER

Derby headed to Ashton Gate just one point ahead of Bristol City, but a 2-0 win put them in the driving seat in the race for sixth place.

Lampard’s men were on the back foot for long spells against the Robins, who fell behind to a Tom Lawrence goal.

The hosts’ hopes of a turnaround were hindered by Antoine Semenyo’s red card for a foul on Tom Huddlestone, with Jayden Bogle capitalising to double Derby’s tally.

The Rams head to Swansea City in midweek before finishing the season at home to West Brom, while Lee Johnson’s side – who are now winless in four – have Millwall and then Hull City.

 

PULIS KEEPS RAMS IN HIS SIGHTS

Middlesbrough are the side most likely to overtake Derby in the home straight, although Tony Pulis’ men have just one game left.

Boro’s 2-1 win over Reading saw them stay level with Derby on 70 points, with a goal difference that is six worse.

Lewis Wing cancelled out Danny Loader’s fine finish before Britt Assombalonga netted the winner from a penalty.

The Royals had the consolation of being assured of safety courtesy of Rotherham’s loss, although a far superior goal difference was always likely to keep them safe.

 

JOSTLING FOR POSITION

There were several games in which sides technically had nothing to play for, but that did not mean they were short on entertainment.

Preston North End and Sheffield Wednesday shared a 3-3 draw in the pick of the bunch, while Hull came from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Swansea.

Elsewhere, Birmingham City settled for a point at home to Wigan Athletic and Nottingham Forest won 1-0 at QPR, who would have equalised in the 88th minute had Nahki Wells not failed to convert from the spot.

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SoccerNews

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