The promotion hopes of Albion’s loan players were both improved and dashed as the Championship season reaches its climax.
Ben White kept his 20th clean sheet in a Leeds shirt as they took a huge step towards clinching Premier League football next season when Pablo Hernandez scored a late winner against Swansea on Sunday, meaning Marcelo Bielsa’s side need four points to return to the top tier after a 16-year absence with three to play. They host Barnsley on Thursday.
Christian Walton’s Blackburn Rovers took an impressive point off second-placed West Brom in a 1-1 draw at Ewood Park, but Tony Mowbray’s side will need some good fortune if they are to finish in the play-offs.
With three to go they sit four points off sixth-placed Cardiff but, given how tight the division is, find themselves in 12th place. Rovers head to Millwall tonight.
The Lions moved to within two points of the play-offs with a 1-0 win over Hull. Jayson Molumby was an unused substitute in Millwall’s victory over the Tigers.
Derby County’s play-off push took a hit as they came up against seemingly unstoppable Brentford, losing 3-1 at Pride Park. Matt Clarke was unable to help stop Phillip Cocu’s team falling to a second consecutive league defeat but a victory at Cardiff – another of the play-off contenders – tonight would put the cat right back amongst the pigeons.
Jan Mlakar was also on the bench as Wigan Athletic, who are facing a 12-point deduction for entering administration, drew 0-0 at Barnsley. Paul Cook’s team face another of their relegation rivals Hull City tonight.