Newcastle pip Brighton to Championship title on dramatic last day as Blackburn Rovers are relegated

Newcastle United were crowned champions on a dramatic final day of the Sky Bet Championship season while former Premier League winners Blackburn Rovers were relegated.

The Magpies comfortably beat Barnsley 3-0 at St James’ Park while Jack Grealish struck a last-gasp equaliser for Aston Villa to deny Brighton & Hove Albion the title at the death.

At the other end of the table, Rovers record a 3-1 victory at Brentford but it was not enough to save them with Harry Redknapp’s Birmingham holding on for a win at Bristol City and Nottingham Forest winning at home to Ipswich Town.

Relegated Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray said: “There’s a bit of talking to be had. We’ll wait and see. There’ll be a lot of recruitment to be done.

“I love football. I want to work with players and teach them what it takes to be a winning unit.

“Ideally, we’ll start this journey with it being as low as this club gets and move forward.”

It was only goal difference that saw the Ewood Park club slip into League One and sparked wild celebrations from Birmingham supporters as relief swept all over the travelling fans at Ashton Gate.

Delighted Birmingham boss Redknapp said:”It’s fantastic. Three games. I looked at the fixtures and thought ‘oh, they’re not great fixtures!’

“The two wins we’ve had have shown great character.

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“We could hear the cheers going up from the Bristol City fans and we knew we needed a win today.

“It was not an easy place to come and win. I’m so proud of the boys, they were fantastic.”

Meanwhile, the play-off positions were also decided as Reading will play Fulham and third-placed Sheffield Wednesday will take on Huddersfield for the right to battle it out for glory at Wembley Stadium.

Wigan Athletic and Rotherham United had already dropped out of the second tier before a ball was kicked this afternoon. They signed off for the campaign with a draw at Leeds and a stalemate with Derby respectively.