Championship Round-Up: Burnley clinch title, Middlesbrough fend off Brighton for second spot

Burnley were crowned Championship champions after a 3-0 win at relegated Charlton saw them clinch the title.

Sam Vokes opened the scoring with just 20 minutes played and the Clarets ensured first-place after the break thanks to quick-fire goals by George Boyd and Andre Gray. Addicks boss Jose Riga resigned immediately after the hosts’ defeat and there were even more protests from Charlton fans before and after the match.

Sean Dyche’s Burnley have secured an instant return to the Premier League after suffering relegation only last May – Photo: Kieran Clarke / Offside.

Middlesbrough will return to the Premier League for the first time in seven years after they drew at home to Brighton 1-1. Both sides knew that a win would guarantee them a spot in the English top-flight next term, so Cristhian Stuani applied the finishing touch to put Boro ahead after a fine free-kick routine. Dale Stephens’ looping header levelled the score for the Seagulls shorty after half-time, but the midfielder was sent-off just moments later for a foul on Gaston Ramirez, as the hosts held on for an all-important point.

Hull thrashed Rotherham 5-1 in their last match before the play-offs, despite going a goal down courtesy of Lee Frecklington. Robert Snodgrass equalised for the Tigers and goals from Abel Hernandez, Mohamed Diame and a brace by Jake Livermore gave Steve Bruce’s side momentum ahead of their showdown with Derby.

Meanwhile; Brentford also won 5-1, at Huddersfield as Sergi Canos put the Bees ahead after just 21 seconds in a fairly quiet first-half. Jamie Patterson made it 1-1 shortly after the restart, but strikes from Lasse Vibe, John Swift and a brace by Scott Hogan saw the visitors record their seventh victory in nine matches.

Blackburn comfortably dispatched Reading 3-1 in Paul Lambert’s last game in charge of Rovers. The hosts raced into a 2-0 lead after efforts from Elliot Bennett and Danny Graham in the first quarter-of-an-hour of the game. Yann Kermorgant reduced the deficit for the Royals, only for Simeon Jackson to confirm victory with only four minutes left to play.

Boss Lambert signed off his Blackburn Rovers spell with a comfortable victory inside Ewood Park – Photo: Paul Roberts / Offside.

Wolves won their first match in six attempts to end their season on a high with a 2-1 win over play-off bound Sheffield Wednesday. First-half goals from George Saville and an own goal by Michael Turner gave Kenny Jackett’s side a comfortable lead. The Owls responded in second-half stoppage-time as Lewis McGugan scored a consolation effort from the penalty spot.

Fulham recorded their first win in five matches after beating Bolton 1-0, as the Trotters ended a poor campaign without a single away victory all season. Tom Cairney netted the game’s only goal with a fine curling effort as the Cottagers climbed up to 20th in the table, whilst the visitors played their final fixture in the Championship for at least a year.

Nottingham Forest beat relegated MK Dons 2-1, despite having a player sent-off. Ben Osborn’s cross fell perfectly for Chris Cohen to put Paul Williams side in the lead, but Nick Maynard soon equalised for the Dons. Danny Fox was shown a straight red for a foul on Jordan Spence, but the visitors took the spoils as Britt Assembalonga scored the winner with his first goal in 15 months after returning from injury.

QPR ended their campaign with a 1-0 win over Bristol City, thanks to a Karl Henry effort, as the midfielder found the back of the net with a long-range curling strike from the edge of the penalty area. The Hoops finished the season in 12th place, after being relegated from the Premier League last year, whilst City remain in 18th position.

Derby lost their final match before the play-offs as they went down 1-0 at home to Ipswich. A first-half penalty scored by David McGoldrick was all that separated the two sides in a game that provided few chances.

Cardiff and Birmingham drew 1-1 in Russell Slade’s final match in charge of the Welsh club, after it was announced last week that he will take up a new role as head of football. David Cotterill put the Blues ahead, but Anthony Pilkington’s simple finish meant it was a point apiece.

And finally, Preston scored in stoppage-time to draw 1-1 with Leeds. Steve Evans’ side took the lead through Chris Woods, who thought he had won the match as his penalty struck the back of the net with just over ten minutes left to play. Yet, Jordan Hugill levelled the score in the 92nd minute from close-range.

Player of the Weekend: Jake Livermore (Hull City)
Team of the Weekend: Middlesbrough
Goal of the Weekend: Karl Henry (QPR vs Bristol City)