Coventry City squandered the opportunity to clinch their long-awaited return to the Premier League after 25 years, drawing 0-0 with a Sheffield Wednesday team that hasn’t tasted victory since September.
The loss suffered by Middlesbrough against Portsmouth meant that Frank Lampard’s side would have confirmed their promotion had they managed to secure a victory against the Owls.
However, the pressure of the occasion seemed to weigh heavily on Coventry, as they failed to find the back of the net at home for only the second time this season.
“We usually find the scoresheet here and win our matches, so we need to keep a level head,” Lampard commented.
“I understand the pressure; everyone is eager to relieve it by clinching promotion. Now, we must focus on the next challenge.”
It’s increasingly apparent that it’s only a matter of time before the Sky Blues secure their Premier League status, as they sit 12 points ahead of third-placed Millwall with just four matches to go, and boast a significantly better goal difference.
Ipswich Town made a vital stride towards joining Coventry in the top tier next season with a 2-0 triumph over local rivals Norwich City.
Jaden Philogene and George Hirst netted in the first half, marking Ipswich’s first league double over their East Anglian foes in 33 years.
Kieran McKenna’s squad moved two points clear of Millwall and hold two games in hand in the race for automatic promotion.
Middlesbrough’s hopes of finishing in the top two have taken a hit recently, as they have gone six matches without a win at such a critical stage of the season.
Andre Dozzell’s late deflected shot, seven minutes into stoppage time, provided Portsmouth with a crucial boost in their fight for survival.
This win for Pompey has pushed Leicester City even closer to the relegation zone, a decade after they celebrated their Premier League title win.
The Foxes were unsuccessful in their appeal against a six-point deduction for breaching financial regulations this week, and a 1-0 defeat at home to Swansea now sees them sitting at the bottom, four points shy of safety.
Southampton continued their remarkable form, coming from behind to secure a 2-1 win against Derby County, further solidifying their position in the play-off spots.
Goals from Leo Scienza and Taylor Harwood-Bellis helped Southampton extend their unbeaten streak to 17 matches.
Hull City’s hopes for a play-off spot were hampered by a 2-1 defeat to Sheffield United, which has seen them slip to sixth place.
Oxford United claimed a 2-0 victory over Watford to remain just one point away from safety.
Compiled by SportArena.au
Fanpage: SportArena.au.
LiveScore – Live Sports Results & Odds.
