Ok, that concludes today’s clockwatch. Thanks for reading.
Here’s Louise Taylor’s on Sunderland’s disastrous day.
Burton are still alive, though must hope Barnsley do not win their game in hand on Tuesday when the Tykes play Nottingham Forest.
FULL TIME: #SAFC 1-2 #BAFC.
— Burton Albion FC (@burtonalbionfc) April 21, 2018
Wow. Just...wow.
A boost to our safety hopes - what an ending to this game - the #Brewers pick up a win courtesy of late goals from @DarrenBent and Liam Boyce.
There is an FA Cup semi being played right now, and Tottenham, the home team, lead Manchester United 1-0 after a goal from Dele Alli. Rob Smyth is your guide.
And it’s in there...
Today's result and results elsewhere mean #SAFC have been relegated. https://t.co/ClL42vsbzr
— Sunderland AFC 🔴⚪ (@SunderlandAFC) April 21, 2018
Here’s Ed Aarons’ report from Vicarage Road.
Sunderland’s Twitter feed still yet to admit the club will be in League One next season.
News from the lower reaches, where it’s been a big day for the self-styled “Class of ‘92” (and Phil Neville). Salford City will play in the National League next season.
FULL TIME | @SalfordCityFC 1-2 @bostonunited
— Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) April 21, 2018
It’s a loss in the final home game but with Harrogate losing, We are CHAMPIONS OF THE VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NORTH! pic.twitter.com/UUAHgtbDMf
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As we wait for reports from Watford and Sunderland to come in, Richard McGahey emails in on the ref debate.
“I don’t know if the tolerance for overly physical play and inconsistent standards is why English refs aren’t going to the World Cup. But the Premier League allows much more physical play, and English fans and commentators reflect this culture in their commentary and analysis--”oh, nothing much in that,” “no intent there,” let the lads play” while Lee Dixon and others on TV pine for the good old days of leg breaking. That’s why it was such a shock to see Michael Oliver calling fouls (inconsistently, of course) in the Juventus-Real Madrid match, and even issuing yellow cards, which he and other English refs don’t do nearly as much in the PL.”
Matters across Europe rounded up here.
And in all that hubbub, it’s best to round off matters at Bristol City which ended up 5 (five) - 5 (five) with Hull City. Joe Bryan grabbed the equaliser in the 94th minute. Football!
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The reason Sunderland are relegated is that Burton and Bolton play each other next week. That’s not the only reason of course, but that’s the maths.
Sunderland’s Twitter feed still yet to admit the club have been relegated.
⏰ FULL TIME: Despite taking an early lead in the game through Paddy McNair, #SAFC fall to defeat at the hands of Burton Albion, thanks to two late goals. pic.twitter.com/rLIegniWeN
— Sunderland AFC 🔴⚪ (@SunderlandAFC) April 21, 2018
Wolves win the Championship title
Having won 4-0 at Bolton.
Chesterfield need a 19-goal turnaround on Morecambe to stay up, so are all but down.
Chesterfield lost 4-1 at Forest Green, but are not yet relegated after Morecambe lost. That’s now a question of mathematics.
Luton are promoted from League Two
A 1-1 draw at Carlisle was enough for them
Wigan are promoted from League One
After winning 4-0 at Fleetwood.
Updated
Sunderland are relegated
It’s full-time and it’s finished 2-1 to Burton.
Full-time: Watford 0-0 Crystal Palace
Both teams edge to safety after a rather angry affair.
Sunderland have just had a goal disallowed for handball. Anger at the Stadium of Light.
Goal! Sunderland 1-2 Burton (Boyce 90+3)
A disaster for Sunderland, and it is Burton who have hope of survival, as Liam Boyce scores.
Updated
Darren Bent almost won it for Burton, only to be denied by a great save from Jason Steele.
Sunderland hit the bar after Ashley Fletcher’s header.
It’s 5-4 to Hull at Bristol City! What a comeback. Fraizer Campbell grabbed it. Drama! And pain for Bristol City.
Barnet are now leading 2-0 and can still escape the drop to the National League.
Goal! Sunderland 1-1 Burton (Bent 86)
Darren Bent scores against his old club and hopes of a great escape are extinguished.
Another humdinger between Cambridge and Cheltenham, which is currently a 4-3 scoreline to the home team.
4-4 between Bristol City and Hull! Abel Hernandez has equalised. That could be a felling blow for City’s hopes of sidling into the play-offs.
Forest Green lead Chesterfield 2-1 and that puts Chesterfield on the edge of their first time outside the Football League for almost 110 years.
Luton, drawing 1-1 at Carlisle, are close to being promoted, but need Exeter’s 2-2 scoreline with Crawley to hold.
Joseph Harvey has a view on the Zaha booking
“Is it just me or has it been a terrible year in the EPL for referees? That Zaha penalty was a stone dead penalty. He got a yellow for diving. Could part of the problem be that the FA and the referee’s association in England want a game that just doesn’t resemble the rulebook anymore? The idea that a punch in the WBA match earlier is part of the game, that contact off the ball isn’t a penalty, and that there wasn’t enough contact (on a high boot in the box) for the penalty in case of Zaha, just isn’t consistent with the laws of the game. I can think of more than a dozen or so events like this across the year. It’s been weighing on my mind a lot since England won’t have any referees at the World Cup.”
Isn’t England’s lack of referees down to Mark Clattenburg choosing to work in Saudi Arabia? And perhaps a lack of familiarity with VAR?
Sheffield Wednesday lead Reading 3-0, after another Fernando Forestieri goal.
It’s now AFC Wimbledon 2-2 Oldham. A tense afternoon down at the Cherry Red Stadium.
Meanwhile, Burton are piling on the pressure against Sunderland, who are trying to hold on to their lifeline.
Bristol City 4-3 Hull: What a game out west. Harry Wilson, on loan from Liverpool, has got Hull back into it.
Watford are living dangerously against Crystal Palace, who have had a shot cleared off the line. But it’s still 0-0.
Birmingham City lead Sheffield United 2-1, and with Bolton losing, this could be a big say for Blues.
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Middlesbrough lead Derby 2-0 after a goal from Britt Assombalonga.
How wrong can you be? Bury have equalised at Shrewsbury through Jay O’Shea. And as it stands, Wigan, now leading 4-0, will be heading to the Championship.
Wolves are 4-0 up and that is desperate news for Bolton. Captain Conor Coady slotted in from the penalty spot.
Bristol City now lead Hull City 4-2. A humdinger at Ashton Gate.
Penalty to Palace? No, Wilfried Zaha has been booked for diving. There was contact, too, and the Watford pariah is being jeered by the home fans.
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Wilfried Zaha is at the centre of things at Watford as Palace begin to put together some attacking pressure on. He’s taken a few whacks.
Updated
Wigan lead 3-0 at Fleetwood after a Dan Burn goal. They are now waiting on a Bury equaliser to confirm their promotion, which may be some wait considering that Bury have already been relegated.
Updated
Some duff info on that Barnsley equaliser. In fact, Oli McBurnie’s goal was ruled out for offside. Still 2-1 to Leeds United.
Aston Villa lead 2-0 at Norwich now, after Lewis Grabban scored against his old club.
Bristol City lead Hull 3-1 and as it stands will be a point outside the play-offs.
Barnsley have equalised at Leeds, and now Wolves are 3-0 up on Bolton, who are losing goal difference on Sunderland. A great escape might - might - just be happening.
That relegation six-pointer in League One is now AFC Wimbledon 1-1 Oldham.
Leeds United are leading Barnsley 2-1 now, which is great news for Sunderland and Birmingham of the teams trying to avoid the drop.
Here’s some more Wenger love.
There is something rather sad about the faded red seats at the Stadium of Light. And these days, there are plenty on view.
⏰ We're back underway...#HawayTheLads pic.twitter.com/jqWsK8IE0R
— Sunderland AFC 🔴⚪ (@SunderlandAFC) April 21, 2018
We are back underway in the second halves of the 3pm kick-offs.
What looks likely to be decided in the next 45 minutes?
- Wolves to claim the Championship title
- Wigan to be promoted from League One
- Accrington to be champions of League Two
- Torquay to plunge down from the National League
- Macclesfield are already promoted from the National League
Updated
Of course, the big news of the weekend is still Friday’s events at the Emirates.
QPR goalkeeper Matt Ingram will take no further part for his team, having been injured in the incident which led to the Brentford penalty he subsequently saved from Ollie Watkins.
Idrissa Sylla has just equalised for QPR at Brentford.
At Watford, it’s half-time with Crystal Palace and still 0-0, but one yellow card.
Here’s some Harry the Hornet v Zaha memories.
Wolves are 2-0 up at Bolton, after a goal from Benik Afobe. The Championship trophy is within reach and so is 100 points.
There are handbags at Watford, over a disputed penalty. It is Wilfried Zaha who was been accused of simulation and Watford players were not very happy with him. There is history there. Remember Harry the Hornet performing a dive to Zaha?
Bristol City, chasing a play-off place, though probably in vain are now 2-1 up on Hull City.
Another lifeline, this time for Chesterfield, who have just scored an equaliser through Kristian Dennis from a penalty at Forest Green.
Wigan 2-0 up at Fleetwood - is Joey Barton watching? - and they are heading back to the Championship.
Updated
Meanwhile, Barnsley have equalised at Leeds through Paudie O’Connor. The strugglers are really fighting for their lives.
Fernando Forestieri has just scored for Sheffield Wednesday against Reading. 1-0.
Should Sunderland land a win here, they will be three points shy of safety, and still breathing. That is desperate news for Burton.
Goal! Sunderland 1-0 Burton (McNair 34)
Paddy McNair, who scored a pearler last week at Reading, has scored his third in four matches.
Updated
Lifeline for Birmingham City, who have just scored against Sheffield United to equalise. Marc Roberts with the goal.
Forest Green against Chesterfield, who are hanging on to their league status by a thread.
Aston Villa lead 1-0 at Ipswich as they seek to stay in form ahead of the play-offs.
Watford piling on the pressure against Palace, but still no goal.
Interesting stat on West Brom
West Brom are undefeated this season under caretaker managers:
— Daniel Hewitt (@DanielHewittITV) April 21, 2018
Man United (a) 1-0
Tottenham (a) 1-1
Liverpool (h) 2-2
Newcastle (h) 2-2
Swansea (h) 1-1
If Gary Megson or Darren Moore had been appointed manager, we would not be getting relegated. #wba
In a vital play-off encounter, Middlesbrough lead Derby 1-0. Mo Besic drilled in. The power of Pulis may be coming to the play-offs.
Brentford lead the West London derby between them and QPR after a goal from Sergi Canos.
And with Barnsley now losing 1-0 to Leeds, that is good news for both Sunderland and Reading. We just need something to happen between those two clubs.
Updated
Wolves’ title celebration is imminent after Barry Douglas’ goal puts them 1-0 up at Bolton.
Luton Town, chasing automatic promotion from League Two, are losing 1-0 to Carlisle.
In League One, a vital goal perhaps as AFC Wimbledon lead Oldham in the battle to avoid relegation, while Shrewsbury, chasing automatic promotion, lead Bury, already relegated, 1-0.
At the very bottom of the league, Barnet are 1-0 up on Newport. Martin Allen’s five-time manager bounce may yet pull the Bees out of the mire.
Wolves, who need a single point to be champions, are under a bit of pressure from Bolton, themselves trying to escape the drop zone.
Sheffield United are 1-0 up on Birmingham City, who are only two points clear of the bottom three. Mark Duffy with the goal. That’s good news for Sunderland and Reading.
Updated
And Watford hit the crossbar. It’s Okaka again with the chance.
Updated
Watford have begun the brighter against Palace, and Will Hughes has just gone close to setting up an opener for Okaka.
Ok, we are underway in the 3pm kick-offs.
Watford will start with two strikers today in Stefano Okaka and Troy Deeney. Manager Javi Gracia, in charge for only games so far but still in danger of feeling the annual managerial axe from Watford’s owners, is going for this one.
Roy Hodgson speaks ahead of Crystal Palace’s match at Watford.
We have decided to go with the same side but the good news is now we do have players on the bench who can not only change our formation but also our fortune. It’s all about performances and we know if we play well we can get points.
More on Brendan Rodgers, who was evasive but not dismissive of reports linking him with the Arsenal job. He said this before Celtic lost 2-1 to Hibs.
I’m extremely happy and I’ve got three years left on my contract after this year. The club have been brilliant to me since I came in so I don’t think so much about it to be honest.
Updated
More Silkmen love here.
SILKMEN FANS! DRINK IT IN! pic.twitter.com/XntZ3IyOJx
— Macclesfield Town (@thesilkmen) April 21, 2018
It will be nervy at the Stadium of Light, where ears will be glued to portable radios or, to be more modern, button will be pushed on smartphones, as news is awaited from Birmingham and Bolton’s games.
⚽️ Checking out the surroundings...just under half-an-hour to kick-off!#BAFC #Brewers ⤵️https://t.co/ds6TTeRShN pic.twitter.com/ahY2lq7MsQ
— Burton Albion FC (@burtonalbionfc) April 21, 2018
In Scotland, Brendan Rodgers’ hopes of landing the Arsenal job have taken a blow after Celtic lost 2-1 to Hibernian. That delays Celtic’s title celebrations.
Here’s an amended version of what is still at stake through the divisions.
Premier League
Manchester City have won their fifth English league title. Manchester United (74), Liverpool (71) and Tottenham (68) look set to join United in the top four with Chelsea five points behind Spurs in fifth. Arsenal are just two points above Burnley in sixth, but could still reach the Champions League if they win the Europa League. Burnley look bound for Europe, unless Southampton win the FA Cup.
West Brom (25pts) are still eight points from safety, after their draw with Liverpool, and could be relegated on Sunday. Stoke (28pts) and Southampton (29) are losing touch with Swansea (33), Crystal Palace (35), West Ham (35), Huddersfield (35) and Brighton (36) in the fight to avoid relegation.
Championship
Wolves (pictured) have won the title and with it promotion to the Premier League. Cardiff's defeat to Derby leaves them in a race with Fulham (85pts) one point behind them and Aston Villa (82) with an outside chance of finishing second. There is a fierce battle for the final two play-off spots, with Middlesbrough (72) and Derby (71) leading the way. Millwall, Brentford, Preston, Bristol City and Sheffield United are separated by three points.
Sunderland (34pts) have been relegated after their defeat to Burton (38), who face a relegation shootout with Bolton (40) on Saturday. Barnsley (38pts) will look to take advantage whatever the result there as they host Brentford. Birmingham (43) and Reading (43) are closing on safety.
League One
Wigan (94pts) and Blackburn (93pts) have sealed automatic promotion and will now battle for the title. Shrewsbury and Rotherham have sealed play-off places, and will be joined by two from Charlton (68), Scunthorpe (67), Plymouth (65) and Portsmouth (63).
Bury have been relegated to League Two while MK Dons have only a mathematical chance of survival. Northampton (46) and Oldham (48) are in the bottom two with Walsall, Rochdale (both 48) and Wimbledon (50) still in trouble.
League Two
Accrington Stanley and Luton have sealed promotion. Wycombe (78pts), Exeter City (77) and Notts County (76) are battling for third place. Lincoln (74) are set for the play-offs and could still sneak into third after beating Coventry, who have a three-point cushion over Mansfield in the fight for the final play-off place.
Chesterfield have been relegated to the National League after 97 years, while Barnet are five points from safety with two to play. Grimsby and Morecambe are the only teams the Bees can still catch.
Macclesfield Town have secured the only automatic promotion spot from the National League, with one other team set to come up via the play-offs. Tranmere, Sutton and Aldershot have all sealed their places.
West Brom can still go down if Swansea win at Manchester City tomorrow and if Crystal Palace win or draw today with Watford. So, all Baggies eyes will be on those matches. Well, those who think there is still a chance.
Here’s the story of the Silkmen.
Macclesfield Town are promoted to the Football League
Well done the Silkmen, well done John Askey. The whistle has gone at Eastleigh.
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Full-time at the Hawthorns: West Brom 2-2 Liverpool
The Baggies stay alive and Jürgen Klopp is hot happy with the referee here.
Darren Moore is doing one hell of a job for West Brom. What a caretaker manager bounce he is having. Just like Gary Megson did, in fact.
Here’s the teams from the derby of imminent doom.
Sunderland: Steele, Jones, Kone, O’Shea, Wilson, Cattermole, McManaman, Honeyman, McNair, McGeady, Fletcher.
Subs: LuaLua, Camp, Maja, Matthews, Asoro, Clarke-Salter, Ejaria.
Burton Albion: Bywater, Brayford, Naylor, McFadzean, McCrory, Davenport, Akins, Murphy, Akpan, Sbarra, Boyce.
Subs: Allen, Turner, Bent, Sordell, Samuelsen, Buxton, Campbell.
Referee: Darren England (South Yorkshire)
Now it’s 2-2 at West Brom! Rondon with the headed equaliser. Hope for the Baggies indeed. Roma will be practicing set pieces like mad.
Updated
In the Premier League, West Brom are heading for a weekend relegation if tomorrow’s results go against them. Liverpool lead 2-1. Danny Ings and Mohamed Salah got Liverpool’s goals, while Jake Livermore’s goal has given the Baggies a sliver of hope. The good news for Liverpool is that Salah has left the field. Looked to have taken a slight knock but nothing too serious. He’ll surely be OK for Roma.
Here’s Rob Smyth with the dying embers.
Here’s the teams from Vicarage Road.
Watford: Karnezis, Mariappa, Cathcart, Kabasele, Holebas, Hughes, Doucoure, Capoue, Deeney, Okaka, Pereyra.
Subs: Gomes, Janmaat, Britos, Richarlison, Sinclair, Gray, Femenia.
Crystal Palace: Hennessey, Ward, Tomkins, Sakho, Van Aanholt, McArthur, Milivojevic, Cabaye, Loftus-Cheek, Townsend, Zaha.
Subs: Speroni, Sorloth, Lee, Benteke, Wan Bissaka, Kelly,
Riedewald.
The news from Eastleigh is that Macc Town are 2-0 up and heading back to the Football League. They previously spent a 15-year spell up there, and were promoted to League One - or was it Division Two - after the 1997-8 season. There, they played Manchester City. It is fair to say the two clubs have gone in different directions since then.
Preamble
There is an FA Cup-shaped hole in the Premier League this weekend, but still plenty to play for at Vicarage Road, going solo as a 3pm kick-off. Watford and Palace are edging to safety, with Watford, on 37 points, probably already there and Palace, having secured that vital 3-2 victory over Brighton last week, three points behind them.
In the EFL, it could be a decisive day. Sunderland and Burton could both be relegated if the teams above them win and they draw. The loser in that game will be suffer the same fate if Bolton and Birmingham win. Wolves will be crowned Football League champions if they avoid defeat against Bolton.
In League One, Wigan will be promoted if win at Fleetwood on Saturday and Shrewsbury fail to beat already-demoted Bury at home. In League Two, Luton can join Accrington in being promoted if they beat Carlisle, while Barnet and Chesterfield could go down if they fail to win and other results go against them.
And from the National League, Macclesfield will go up to the Football League if they win their early kick-off at Eastleigh.
Here’s a handy guide to what is at stake.
Premier League
Manchester City have won their fifth English league title. Manchester United (74), Liverpool (71) and Tottenham (68) look set to join United in the top four with Chelsea five points behind Spurs in fifth. Arsenal are just two points above Burnley in sixth, but could still reach the Champions League if they win the Europa League. Burnley look bound for Europe, unless Southampton win the FA Cup.
West Brom (25pts) are still eight points from safety, after their draw with Liverpool, and could be relegated on Sunday. Stoke (28pts) and Southampton (29) are losing touch with Swansea (33), Crystal Palace (35), West Ham (35), Huddersfield (35) and Brighton (36) in the fight to avoid relegation.
Championship
Wolves (pictured) have won the title and with it promotion to the Premier League. Cardiff's defeat to Derby leaves them in a race with Fulham (85pts) one point behind them and Aston Villa (82) with an outside chance of finishing second. There is a fierce battle for the final two play-off spots, with Middlesbrough (72) and Derby (71) leading the way. Millwall, Brentford, Preston, Bristol City and Sheffield United are separated by three points.
Sunderland (34pts) have been relegated after their defeat to Burton (38), who face a relegation shootout with Bolton (40) on Saturday. Barnsley (38pts) will look to take advantage whatever the result there as they host Brentford. Birmingham (43) and Reading (43) are closing on safety.
League One
Wigan (94pts) and Blackburn (93pts) have sealed automatic promotion and will now battle for the title. Shrewsbury and Rotherham have sealed play-off places, and will be joined by two from Charlton (68), Scunthorpe (67), Plymouth (65) and Portsmouth (63).
Bury have been relegated to League Two while MK Dons have only a mathematical chance of survival. Northampton (46) and Oldham (48) are in the bottom two with Walsall, Rochdale (both 48) and Wimbledon (50) still in trouble.
League Two
Accrington Stanley and Luton have sealed promotion. Wycombe (78pts), Exeter City (77) and Notts County (76) are battling for third place. Lincoln (74) are set for the play-offs and could still sneak into third after beating Coventry, who have a three-point cushion over Mansfield in the fight for the final play-off place.
Chesterfield have been relegated to the National League after 97 years, while Barnet are five points from safety with two to play. Grimsby and Morecambe are the only teams the Bees can still catch.
Macclesfield Town have secured the only automatic promotion spot from the National League, with one other team set to come up via the play-offs. Tranmere, Sutton and Aldershot have all sealed their places.
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