EFL Championship fans stunned as final-day drama flips the script | OneFootball

Chaos, heartbreak, and ecstasy all erupted simultaneously around England on the final day of the EFL Championship campaign. In a goals explosion and changing fortunes, Leeds United seized the title, Millwall's playoff hopes were left in shreds, and relegation arrived in heartbreaking style, all within 90 crazed minutes. It was a day that reminded fans everywhere why the Championship is still the most unpredictable division of football.

Would it be Leeds United or Burnley?

Tied at 97 points, Leeds, with 93 goals, held an insurmountable lead in goal differential. Win this final weekend- or at least match Burnley’s result, and the title would be theirs.

As Leeds faced relegation-threatened Plymouth Argyle in Devon at the Theatre of Greens, Burnley hosted Millwall at Turf Moor, the second-oldest football ground in England.

Burnley’s built on defense; keeper James Trafford recorded 29 clean sheets this season, and The Clarets have picked up points in 32 straight leagues games, dating back to November 3 of last year, when they lost 1-0, to Millwall.

On Saturday, Millwall, with a playoff spot in the balance, struck first. In the 11th minute, Mihailo Ivanović slipped through the Burnley defense and slotted a cross past the keeper.

The Lions struck first- but the lead wouldn't last | Matt McNulty/GettyImages

The lead lasted less than a minute.

On the ensuing kickoff, a long ball and subsequent ricochet fell to Burnley midfielder Josh Brownhill at the top of the box. The captain blasted it into the corner pocket, sending the home crowd mad. Tied at halftime, the second half was a flurry of Burnley bravado, The Clarets seeking the kill. In the 65th minute Jaidon Anthony took a long pass down the left wing, cut inside the defender and struck home. Millwall fought to the end- but as the match entered extra time, Brownhill ended all doubts, and Millwall’s playoff dreams-with his second of the game and 18th of the season.

Burnley's captain hit a brace to keep the pressure on Leeds | Matt McNulty/GettyImages

What about Leeds?

Leeds, the title within grasp, but also theirs to lose, took a punch to the gut when lowly Plymouth scored 18 minutes in. Heroic work by striker Mustapha Bundu, the striker from Freetown fought his way though a pair of defenders to fire a shot that bounced off the far post and ricocheted in off Sam Byram, who was subsequently charged with an own-goal.

Nervous times for Leeds, and their fans, until 7 minutes into the second half, when Wilfried Gnonto equalized, scoring off a cross from Manor Solomon. But as the game dragged on, Burnley's lead at Turf Moor became more onerous; Leeds had to score to win the title. Desperate attacking and just as desperate defending by The Argyles kept the score deadlocked throughout regulation, and as the clock ticked away, it seemed Burnley might snaffle the title.

Then, a lightning strike from Solomon, just as extra time began.

Manor Solomon's goal in the 91st minute won Leeds the Sky Bet Championship | Harry Trump/GettyImages

The Israeli midfielder, on loan from Tottenham, took a pass 30 meters out, darted into the box and impossibly slotted a shot low through 3 defenders and past the diving keeper.

Uproar in the away stands; the title was going to Leeds.

West Yorkshire makes merry after Leeds took the title | Molly Darlington/GettyImages

And while the Whites lifted the trophy, the loss meant Plymouth was the second team- after Cardiff City- to succumb to relegation.

Relegation carnage

As the Argyles floundered down in Devon, other relegation-threatened clubs played for their Championship future, including Luton Town, Hull City, Preston North End, Derby County and Stoke City.

Hull City faced Portsmouth at Fratton Park, the visiting Tigers in need of a victory to avoid regulation; a tie or loss meant their fate would hang on Luton Town’s results against West Brom. Hull City led 1-0 at half, but the club north of the Humber gave up a goal in the 55th minute, and the game finished deadlocked.

Hull City couldn't save themselves - but found redemption in Luton Town's meltdown | Richard Sellers/Allstar/GettyImages

With Hull City tottering, a win at the Hawthorns would keep Luton Town in the Championship. But West Bromwich Albion proceeded to destroy the Hatters' dreams, starting in the 7th minute with a goal by Tom Fellows. Luton Town responded two minutes later, a slip and slash equalizer by Millenic Alli.

Then the wheels came off the Hatter train — West Brom pumped in four more scores, two before the half, followed by a brace in the second half by Hungarian international Callum Styles. Luton Town’s late rally-strikes by midfielder Jordan Clark and a second by Alli helped claw the tally back to 5-3- couldn’t prevent their second straight relegation, from the Premier League last season and now demotion to League One.

Tough times for Luton Town- The Hatters, relegated from the Premier League last season, now fall from The Championship | Paul Harding/GettyImages

The battle for the final two playoff spots

Coventry City, seeking their 2nd playoff in the last 3 seasons, hosted Middlesbrough, another club with playoff aspirations- but only if The Boro could manage a victory on this day. Just before half, midfielder Jack Rudoni scored a beautiful header low left to put the Sky Blues up 1-0. Middlesbrough fought to equalize, and late in the game nearly struck twice, but their furious barrage couldn't find the back of the net. Just when they regrouped for another bite at the apple, a sudden turn-around: Coventry City sent the ball looping downfield, a defender slipped, and Society Arena erupted as Brandon Thomas-Asante fed Rudoni, who found his brace, propelling the Sky Blues to the playoffs and leaving The Boro going home empty-handed.

Bristol City: The Robins, down 1-0 at halftime, managed to rally to tie Preston North End, but the final playoff slot didn’t fall to them until the end of the Blackburn-Sheffield United match. Bristol City players gathered on the sidelines, and their fans in the stands — to watch the clock tick out on The Rovers' game and season.

Bristol City fans celebrate capture of the final playoff slot | Michael Steele/GettyImages

The promotion playoff schedule

Thursday May 8:  #4 Bristol City vs #1 Sheffield United

Monday May 12:  #1 Sheffield United vs #4 Bristol City

The Robins stumbled into the playoffs; consecutive losses to Luton and Leeds meant their fate fell to that final match day, and their 2-2 tie, and dependence on Blackburn to falter, can hardly inspire confidence.

Bristol City now face the Blades, the top playoff seed, a team that finished 22 points ahead of them on the table and fiercely desirous of returning to the Premier League. Sheffield United defeated Bristol City, 2-1, away at Ashton Gate last November; the teams tied 1-1 when they met for the reverse fixture in March.

Friday May 9:  #5 Coventry City vs #4 Sunderland

Tuesday May 13: #4 Sunderland vs #5 Coventry City

The managerial story of the season must be Frank Lampard, a mid-season replacement for The Sky Blues; when he took over in late November, Coventry City stood 17th on the table, two points above relegation. His stewardship took flight in late January, as the Sky Blues went on a streak of 9 wins in 10 matches, losing only to Leeds. Coventry City hasn’t seen the Premiership since 2000-2001; two years ago, they lost the playoff final to Luton Town, 6-5 in penalties.

Frank Lampard- the former Chelsea great, now manager at playoff-bound Coventry City | Matthew Lewis/GettyImages

Sunderland is the mystery team in the playoff mix. Fourth on the table with 76 points, the Black Cats enter the playoffs having lost five in a row, managing only 2 goals in that span. Sunderland tied Coventry 2-2 at the Stadium of Light in November; in March, Coventry City took the home fixture thanks to a hat trick from US International Haji Wright.

The playoff final is a single game match between the semi-final winners — Wembley Stadium will host the final Saturday, May 23.

New clubs in next season’s Championship

Despite three matches remaining in the season, relegation from the Premier League to the Championship has been decided, all three teams promoted to the top flight last year have been sent right back down.

Leicester City: It’s been a decade since The Foxes won the top flight title, and while Jamie Vardy continues to shine, the club has struggled to remain in the Premier League — relegated in 2023-4, they returned via promotion the following year, only to find themselves dropped again after this season's campaign, managing only 5 wins and 6 draws against 24 losses.

MB Media/GettyImages

Ipswich Town: The Tractor Boys returned to the Premier League after an absence of 22 years, thanks to back-to-back promotions; now the side from Suffolk slides back to the Championship.

Ipswich Town, with perhaps the best nickname in sports- The Tractor Boys | OLI SCARFF/GettyImages

Southampton: Another club bouncing back and forth from the Championship, The Saints served as this season's Premier League punching bag; outscored by 57 goals, they managed only 2 wins and five draws.

Teams promoted from League One to the Championship

Birmingham City: A wrecking crew all season, the West Midlands club picked up a record 111 points on their way to earning promotion to the Championship.

Birmingham City FC- 2025 League One Champions | Mark Thompson/GettyImages

Wrexham: However annoying you may find Canadian “actor” Ryan Reynolds, there’s no denying the infectious joy found in this Welsh town and team, buoyed by back-to-back promotions. Their fortunes are certain to be a driving narrative of the season.

The Lager Stand at Wrexham- yes please - | Kya Banasko/GettyImages

The final promotion spot will be determined by a playoff similar to the Championship- home and away semi-finals followed by a single winner-take-all match at Wembley on Sunday, May 24.

In the opening fixtures, May 10, Leyton Orient hosts Stockport County at Brisbane Road; the Wycombe Wanderers face Charlton Athletic at Adams Park.