04 May 2024 , 15:15
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The Championship season is complete and Ipswich Town have secured their place in the Premier League next season alongside Leicester City.
The Tractor Boys earned a 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town with goals from Wes Burns and Omari Hutchinson ensuring Kieran McKenna's side finished as the division's runners-up. Ipswich were one of eight teams with something to play for on the final day of competition.
Competing with Ipswich for promotion were Leeds. They saw their hopes dented early when Southampton went ahead through Adam Armstrong but soon hit back through Joel Piroe. The Saints made sure that they could face the Yorkshire side once again via the play-off final as Will Smallbone's goal earned an Elland Road win for the visitors.
There were still sides who would be more than happy to earn their place in the play-offs however. Norwich's spot was all but secure due to their superior goal difference but West Brom had work to do to remain above Hull City.
The Tigers had a long trip to make to Plymouth Argyle to become involved in the relegation battle, while the Hawthorns welcomed Preston. Joe Edwards put the south coast club ahead after 20 minutes at Home Park Stadium to provide hope of survival.
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Hull's play-off chances took a hit but were utterly devastated by West Brom. The Midlands team came away easy victors over Preston with goals from Alex Mowatt, Kyle Bartley and Darnell Furlong ensuring WBA have at least two more games in their season. West Brom face Southampton over two legs for a place in the play-off final while Leeds take on Norwich.
Four teams were in contention for the final space in the relegation zone on the final day with Rotherham United and Huddersfield already down. Each would do their utmost to remain in the division as Plymouth, Sheffield Wednesday, Blackburn and Birmingham emerged with four victories.
Blackburn Rovers' Sammie Szmodics celebrates with Kyle McFadzean (Alex Dodd - CameraSport)The Owls looked to have safety secured first. They went 2-0 up before half time against Sunderland thanks to goals from Liam Palmer and Josh Windass.
Birmingham required the greatest turnaround after starting the day in 22nd place but gave themselves a glimmer of hope through Paik Seung-ho's second half header but still required Blackburn or Plymouth to concede. Rovers star striker Sammie Szmodics made sure the John Eustace's side maintained their Championship status with a second half brance to extend his lead as the second tier's top goalscorer.
After sacking Eustace in October with Birmingham in sixth place, the Blues were cast into League One for the first time since 1994/1995 as results did not fall their way. Take a look at the final Championship table below.
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