Friday, 14 April 2017

Clinical Wood prolongs Newcastle agony


New Zealand international Chris Wood scored in time added on to secure Leeds a 1-1 draw and frustrate Newcastle's hopes a little longer of an immediate return to the Premier League.
Wood, who took his tally to 25 in the Championship this season as Leeds stayed on course for the play-offs, scored with his only chance of a game second-placed Newcastle dominated.
The draw was costly to Newcastle. A win would have meant they'd be promoted on Monday as long as they defeated Ipswich and third-placed Huddersfield lost to Derby. 
However, instead of holding a 10-point advantage over Huddersfield, who beat Preston earlier on Friday 3-2, Newcastle are just eight points clear and Huddersfield have a game in hand.
Brighton, though, top the table by four points after a double from Championship Player of the Year Anthony Knockaert, taking his total to 15 for the campaign, eased them to a 2-0 win over Wolves.  
Chris Hughton's side are chasing a return to the top-flight for the first time since 1982-83 and they will be guaranteed a lucrative place among the English elite if they beat Wigan at home on Monday and Huddersfield lose or draw at Derby.
Brighton have won six of their last seven matches and are 12 points clear of Huddersfield as they try to make amends for last season's painful play-off semi-final exit having lost out on goal difference for second place.
However, Hughton, who guided Newcastle to the Championship title in 2010, said he and the players would not be spending the weekend obsessing over how close they are to promotion. 
"We all know a win on Monday would all but mathematically see us up but it would be irresponsible of me and a group of players who have conducted themselves well all season to think that," said the 58-year-old.
Promotion would cap an incredible revival for Brighton, who were penniless and homeless 20 years ago but whose fortunes have been aided by their owner, leading poker player Tony Bloom.
The Seagulls only avoided relegation from the Football League on the last day of the 1996-97 season and were forced to play in Gillingham, 70 miles away from their home town, for the next two years after their old Goldstone Ground was sold to pay off debts.
Huddersfield kept alive their slender chance of automatic promotion as Collin Quaner clinched a dramatic victory over Preston.
David Wagner's side trailed to an Aiden McGeady strike before goals from Elias Kachunga and Jack Payne put them ahead.
Jordan Hugill headed Preston level with 11 minutes remaining before the striker conceded a stoppage-time penalty for an off-the-ball incident with Kachunga.
Aaron Mooy's spot-kick was saved by Chris Maxwell, but Quaner tucked away the rebound.
Sheffield Wednesday strengthened their grip on the final play-off berth with a 1-0 victory over Cardiff.
Wednesday substitute Fernando Forestieri struck in the 84th minute to keep his sixth-placed side two points ahead of Fulham.
Fulham remain in contention for a top-six finish after beating Norwich 3-1 at Carrow Road despite playing the second half with 10 men.

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