Hull promoted in dramatic fashion, Wolves relegated

4May 2013

England - The Championship

Mike Norman details the ups and downs in the Championship after this afternoon's final day of incredible action...

Champions: Cardiff

Promoted: Hull

Relegated: Bristol City, Wolves, Peterborough

Play-Offs: Watford, Brighton, Crystal Palace, Leicester

Hull City will play in next season's Premier League after drawing 2-2 with Cardiff at the KC Stadium this afternoon, and Watford's 1-2 home defeat to Leeds.

But in an incredible finish to the game at Hull, Steve Bruce's men missed a stoppage time penalty when leading 2-1, only to see the Bluebirds go down the other end and score a penalty of their own. Hull were matched at just 1.02 to win the game, much to the despair of short-price backers.

Bruce's outfit started the day with fate in their own hands, needing a victory to guarantee promotion or the Watford v Leeds result to go in their favour should they fail to win.

And when Cardiff took an early second-half lead automatic promotion looked unlikely with Watford level against Leeds, meaning The Hornets would be the side to go up.

But goals in quick succession from Nick Proschwitz and Paul McShane put The Tigers back in control of their own destiny until the late twists and turns.

With the game at Vicarage Road running 15 minutes behind due to some first half injuries Hull City had a tense wait before promotionn was confirmed, with Watford just needing a single goal. But it was Leeds that won the game late on, meaning Gianfranco Zola's men will have to contest the play-offs in an attempt to join England's elite.

Hull were matched at a high of 15.0 in the Top 2 Finish market, and at 12.0 to be promoted.

Down at the bottom of the table Bristol City's relegation was confirmed weeks ago, but Wolves' 2-0 defeat at Brighton confirmed their own relegation to League One next season, this just a year after they were relegated from the Premier League.

In an ironic twist, the club Dean Saunders left to try and save Wolves - Doncaster - were promoted from League One last weekend and will now play at a higher lever than their former manager's club. Wolves were matched at a high of 75.0 in the Relegation market.

Joining Wolves in League One next season will be Peterborough after they lost late in the game at Crystal Palace. Darren Ferguson's men led 2-1 with just seven minutes to go, and with Barnsley leading Huddersfield it seemed Posh's chances of going down were slim.

But two late goals at Selhurst Park, giving Palace the victory and securing their play-off place, and a late Huddersfield equaliser meant that Peterborough were relegated. Posh were matched at just 4.0 to go down.

Meanwhile, Watford will be joined in the play-offs by Brighton, Crystal Palace, and Leicester who came from behind to beat Nottm Forest in the East-Midlands derby, while Bolton could only draw at home to Blackpool.

To be Promoted