Huddersfield all but relegated from Championship while League Two play-off spots decided

By Sports Desk April 27, 2024

Huddersfield Town saw their relegation from the Championship all but confirmed after a 1-1 draw with fellow strugglers Birmingham City on Saturday.

The Terriers avoided a defeat that would have seen them relegated on Saturday, but even a win on the final day over promotion hopefuls Ipswich Town will not be enough unless they overcome a huge goal difference of 15 goals with Plymouth Argyle.

Birmingham remain in the other relegation place and now must beat Norwich City to stand a chance of staying up with Sheffield Wednesday, Plymouth and Blackburn Rovers also still in danger.

At the other end of the table, the Canaries dropped points in a 2-2 draw with Swansea City, leaving the door open for Hull City, who face Ipswich Town later today.

Related items

  • Sheffield United up to second after Blackburn victory Sheffield United up to second after Blackburn victory

    Sheffield United moved into the Championship's automatic promotion places with a 2-0 win over Blackburn Rovers, with Harrison Burrows and Tyrese Campbell on target.

    Burrows scored his first goal for the Blades to hand them a 16th-minute lead at Ewood Park, where Blackburn failed to record a single shot on target against their rock-solid visitors.

    A close-range finish from Campbell gave Chris Wilder's men breathing space shortly after the hour mark, with Kieffer Moore, Gustavo Hamer and Burrows all missing chances to add further gloss to the scoreline.

    Sheffield United, who have only conceded six goals in 13 league games this campaign, moved up to second ahead of Saturday's remaining fixtures, leapfrogging Burnley and Leeds United. 

    Elsewhere, Stoke City claimed a much-needed 2-1 victory over Derby County – just their second win under new boss Narcis Pelach. 

    Tom Cannon won and converted a first-half penalty to put the Potters ahead, though Derby got back on terms when the ball deflected in off Stoke goalkeeper Viktor Johansson after 68 minutes. 

    However, Ben Gibson headed the winning goal eight minutes from time, with Derby enraged by Junior Tchamadeu's heavy challenge on Nat Phillips going unpunished. 

    In the last of the early kick-offs, Swansea City recorded their first win in seven matches by overcoming Oxford United 2-1 at the Kassam Stadium.

    Zan Vipotnik swept home after 38 minutes for Swansea's first goal in 563 minutes of Championship action to open the scoring, then Florian Bianchini doubled their advantage with 10 minutes to play.

    Dane Scarlett gave Oxford hope late on, but they were unable to force an equaliser and remain two points clear of the relegation zone.

  • Man Utd decision was 'now or never' for Amorim Man Utd decision was 'now or never' for Amorim

    Ruben Amorim says the decision to move to Manchester United during the season was made for him, after he was told it was "now or never".

    The 39-year-old Sporting Lisbon coach is set to make the move to Manchester on November 11, despite wanting to wait until the end of the season to make the switch.

    The move was announced on Friday, with Amorim agreeing on a contract that will keep him at the club until 2027.

    He becomes the sixth permanent manager at United since Alex Ferguson's departure 11 years ago.

    Sporting have made a flying start to the season with 10 wins from 10 putting them top of the Primeira Liga table, but Amorim was keen to attest he would have preferred to continue his victorious streak.

    "The season started, we started very well, and then Manchester United came, they pay above the compensation clause and the president defends the club's interests," he explained.

    "I never discussed anything with the president. For three days, I said I wanted to stay until the end of the season, but then I was told it was not possible.

    "It was now or never, or Manchester would go for another option. So, I had three days to make my mind up, to make a decision that radically changes my life."

    Amorim brought substantial success to the Portuguese capital, winning two league titles in the space of four seasons after the club had failed to do so in the 19 years prior.

    Despite being one of the most promising coaches in the game, the Lisbon-born manager asserted that only a call from Manchester would persuade him to leave his home club.

    "I've had other opportunities - the president and [director of football] Hugo Viana can confirm this," he added. "It's not the first or the second time that I have been requested by another team, and I don't want another team.

    "After Sporting I wanted that one, Manchester, and I want that context because that context allows me to do things my way, and the club believes me that way.

    "There's a time when I have to take a step forward in my career. That's what happened. It was harder for me than any Sporting fan, believe me, but I had to do this."

  • Newcastle United 1-0 Arsenal: Isak header dents Gunners' title bid Newcastle United 1-0 Arsenal: Isak header dents Gunners' title bid

    Alexander Isak headed Newcastle United to their first Premier League win in five games as they beat Arsenal 1-0 to dent the Gunners’ title hopes.

    The decisive moment came in the 12th minute when Isak combined with Anthony Gordon, heading the ball into the roof of the net to continue his fine form at St. James’ Park.

    Arsenal rarely threatened throughout, registering just one shot on target, which came in the first half when Mikel Merino saw his effort blocked on the line by Lewis Hall. 

    Isak threatened a second for the hosts on the hour mark, but his attempt stung the palms of David Raya, while Declan Rice’s deflected strike narrowly evaded the far post just under a minute later.

    The win moved Newcastle into eighth place in the table, while Arsenal remain third but could find themselves eight points off the top should Manchester City beat Bournemouth later on Saturday.

    Data Debrief: Alexander the Great

    Having marked his return from a toe injury with two goals in as many games, Isak's return to form for Newcastle is a welcome boost for Eddie Howe.

    The Swede has now scored in three successive appearances in all competitions for Newcastle for the first time since January last season, and has been directly involved in 18 goals in his last 17 Premier League starts at St. James’ Park (16 goals, two assists).

    Isak's header also saw the Magpies claim a third win in their last four Premier League home games against Arsenal (L1), as many as their previous 23 beforehand (W3 D8 L12).

    For Arsenal, meanwhile, their poor run continued. After losing just one of their first 25 Premier League games in 2024 (W21 D3), they have since lost two of their last three (D1).

    The Gunners have also now lost successive away matches in the league for the first time since May 2022.

© 2024 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.