Dubai: While Manchester City hoisted the Premier League trophy and the world anxiously awaited news on the recovery of former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, it was still very much business on the pitch in the Championship to see whom would be joining the Sky Blues and Reds in England’s elite next season.
With Wolverhampton Wanderers confirmed, it was up to Cardiff City to equal or better the result of Fulham to secure an outright place among the big boys. And they did what they had to do.
Cardiff were facing also-rans Reading as Fulham took on mid-table Birmingham for the right to claim the second spot in the league and automatic promotion. While Cardiff saw out a cagey 0-0 affair in Wales, things could not have gone worse for Fulham.
Lukas Jutkiewicz and Harlee Dean gave Birmingham the advantage before Tom Cairney gave them hope in the second half to make it 2-1. Che Adams then struck to ensure Birmingham a 3-1 win.
In doing so they brought to and end Fulham’s 23-game unbeaten streak and ensured promotion for Cardiff. The results consigned Fulham to the play-offs, where they will take on Derby County. Aston Villa and Middlesbrough will be in the other semi.
The teams taking the dreaded drop to League One alongside Sunderland were Barnsley and Burton Albion.
