Reading sealed the Championship title in emphatic fashion by crushing Derby County with five second-half goals. Royals backers on at 8/15 may have felt nervous until James Harper broke the deadlock after 59 minutes. Kevin Doyle on 65, John Oster on 70 and two from Shane Long after 74 and 83 minutes saw Steve Coppells side promoted to the Premier League in style. Sheffield United are stuttering to automatic promotion as a hard-fought draw at Stoke City sent them seven points clear of third-placed Watford. On-loan Josip Skoko gave the Potters the lead after 16 minutes but Danny Webbers equaliser seven minutes from time earned the Blades a vital point at 11/10. Watford looked good to beat Crystal Palace on Friday night until a spectacular collapse in the second half dented their automatic promotion hopes. Marlon King gave the Hornets the lead after 28 minutes but Dougie Freedman levelled for Palace. Own goals from Jordan Stewart on 59 and Jay DeMerit four minutes from time secured a 5/4 Eagles victory at Selhurst Park. Leeds United also received a blow in their bid for a runners up berth after losing to local rivals Hull City 1-0 at the KC Stadium. Jon Parkin headed in a winner for the 19/10 Tigers after 76 minutes which should ease his side's relegation fears. Preston North End took a giant step to securing the final play-off spot with a 1-0 victory at Coventry City which ended the Sky Blues 12-match unbeaten run. Simon Whaley scored his first goal for the 2/1 Lillywhites following his move from Bury. Play-off chasing Wolves slumped to a 2-0 defeat at mid-table Plymouth Argyle. Hasney Aljofree opened the scoring for the 8/5 Pilgrims after nine minutes while an own goal from veteran campaigner Paul Ince 10 minutes from the end ensured a miserable day for Glenn Hoddles side. Cardiff City also saw their play-off hopes fade after a 3-2 defeat at Southampton. Claus Lundekvam gave Saints the lead two minutes after the break but Cameron Jerome levelled for Cardiff on 54. A brace from Ricardo Fuller after 70 and 75 minutes put the 6/4 Saints into the driving seat before Darren Purse scored a consolation. Bottom club Crewe Alexander kept their slender hopes of survival alive with a 2-1 victory at QPR. Kenny Lunt after 39 minutes and David Vaughan on 73 secured three precious points for the 10/3 Alex before Gareth Ainsworth scored a consolation. Brighton & Hove Albion registered the second away win to give them a slim hope of avoiding relegation but hindered Millwalls own cause in the process. Albion, 13/5 on the day, performed a smash-and-grab with Paul Reid netting the first after six minutes and Paul McShane grabbing second on 11. |
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