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Anorak News | The Championship finale in photos: Hull gain, Barnsley survive, Wolves sink and Leicester’s last gasp glory

The Championship finale in photos: Hull gain, Barnsley survive, Wolves sink and Leicester’s last gasp glory

by | 4th, May 2013

Soccer - npower Football League Championship - Hull City v Cardiff City - KC Stadium

 

FOOTBALL. Bloody hell. Hull City have been promoted to the Barclays Premier League. It wasn’t easy. It was nerve-shredding tension. Unless you were a Cardiff city fan.

Soccer - npower Football League Championship - Hull City v Cardiff City - KC Stadium

 

 

When Nicky Maynard converted a penalty for already promoted Cardiff City, they were drawing with Hull 2-2. Watford’s match became all-important. Radios were tuned in.

Soccer - npower Football League Championship - Hull City v Cardiff City - KC Stadium

 

 

A win for Watford would see them occupy the second automatic promotion spot. Could they beat Leeds United?  Hull City players gathered around a television to watch the Watford game. It’s kick of had been delayed  because of an injury to Watford’s goalkeeper, Jonathan Bond. For sixteen minutes Hull waited and Watford toiled. Then Ross McCormack scored in the 90th minute. Leeds were 2-1 up. Watford were gutted. Watford’s manager Gianfranco Zola summed it up.

Soccer - npower Football League Championship - Watford v Leeds United - Vicarage Road

 

Hull went nuts.

Soccer - npower Football League Championship - Hull City v Cardiff City - KC Stadium

Soccer - npower Football League Championship - Hull City v Cardiff City - KC Stadium

Soccer - npower Football League Championship - Hull City v Cardiff City - KC Stadium

 

Soccer - npower Football League Championship - Hull City v Cardiff City - KC Stadium

 

Meanwhile, at the foot of the table, Wolverhampton Wanderers lost to Brighton & Hove Albion. That meant back-to-back relegation.

Soccer - npower Football League Championship - Brighton and Hove Albion v Wolverhampton Wanderers - AMEX Stadium

 

 

But it’s Peterborough who were crushed. They were drawing 2-2 away to Crystal Palace when disaster struck.  Mile Jedinak scored in the 89th minute.

Soccer - npower Football League Championship - Crystal Palace v Peterborough United - Selhurst Park

 

Barnsley, who only managed a 2-2 draw with Huddersfield, would be up if they hung on for the point. They did.

Soccer - npower Football League Championship - Huddersfield Town v Barnsley - John Smith's Stadium

Soccer - npower Football League Championship - Huddersfield Town v Barnsley - John Smith's Stadium

 

Soccer - npower Football League Championship - Huddersfield Town v Barnsley - John Smith's Stadium

 

Nottingham Forest are also gutted at the last.  They will not be in the play-off places because Leicester City scored in the 90th minute.

Soccer - npower Football League Championship - Nottingham Forest v Leicester City

Soccer - npower Football League Championship - Nottingham Forest v Leicester City

 

 

And for Crystal Palace fans, it might soon be goodbye from him. What price Manchester United-bound Wilfried Zaha taking Palace to the Primer League via the play-offs?

Soccer - npower Football League Championship - Crystal Palace v Peterborough United - Selhurst Park



Posted: 4th, May 2013 | In: Sports Comment | TrackBack | Permalink