Football
2018-19 English League Championship, Regular Season
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Reuters 5y

Frank Lampard's Derby County seal final Championship playoff spot

Derby County sealed their place in the promotion playoffs with a 3-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion on the final day of the Championship season on Sunday, leaving Middlesbrough facing another year in the second tier.

Frank Lampard's Derby side needed a victory to guarantee sixth place and they could start celebrating after two goals in three minutes in the second half from Mason Bennett and Harry Wilson settled the jitters.

West Brom, already assured of fourth spot, had equalised just after halftime through Stefan Johansen after Derby had led at the interval through Martyn Waghorn's header.

Middlesbrough did their part, winning 2-1 away at Rotherham United while Bristol City, who also still had a chance of making the top six if results went their way, drew 1-1 at Hull City.

"The lads deserved it and we played brilliantly in spells but when it goes back to 1-1 you fear, I knew Middlesbrough were winning," Chelsea great Lampard told Sky Sports.

"They were magnificent today. I said be brave, there was a lot on this game."

Norwich City were confirmed as champions after winning 2-1 away at fifth-placed Aston Villa. Sheffield United, who finished runners-up and also gained automatic promotion to the Premier League, ended with a 2-2 draw at Stoke City.

Third-placed Leeds United, who for so long seemed destined to go up automatically before a late-season slump, finished their regular season with a surprise 3-2 defeat by bottom club Ipswich Town.

It means Lampard will now meet Leeds United in the playoff semifinals for a place in the Premier League. Earlier this season, the two clubs were involved in a high-profile spying row which led to Marcelo Bielsa's side being fined by the EFL. The other semi is a West Midlands derby between West Brom and Aston Villa.

Middlesbrough did their part, winning 2-1 away at Rotherham United while Bristol City, who also still had a chance of making the top six if results went their way, drew 1-1 at Hull City.

Norwich City were confirmed as champions after winning 2-1 away at fifth-placed Aston Villa.

PLAYOFF FIXTURES

Leeds United vs. Derby County
West Bromwich Albion vs. Aston Villa

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