Fulham were crowned Division One champions today but they left it late with a Sean Davis equaliser three minutes into injury time to secure a 1-1 draw with Sheffield Wednesday.
Dutchman Gerald Sibon gave struggling Wednesday an unlikely lead against the run of play with a 43rd minute corner kick that sailed straight into the net. Fulham dominated the play in front of a capacity crowd at Craven Cottage who had expected to see a comprehensive win for the runaway leaders, but the home side found it hard to break through a packed defence, marshalled well by veterans Des Walker and Carlton Palmer. But Davis popped up in injury time to volley the ball home and spark celebrations for Jean Tigana's side on their return to the top flight.
Meanwhile, Blackburn gave themselves a three point cushion in second with a 2-0 win over Huddersfield, who are now in serious trouble at the bottom of the table. Garry Flitcroft put Rovers in front and after Terriers goalkeeper Nico Vaesen was sent off for handling outside the area, Matt Jansen made it 2-0 in the last minute.
Bolton's 2-0 win at Crystal Palace keeps their hopes of overhauling Blackburn alive while plunging the Eagles deep into the relegation dogfight. Ian Marshall netted the first and Nicky Summerbee forced the second from an acute angle. Preston ended a run of four games without a win with a resounding 4-0 win at Barnsley to keep them in the play-off places, with goals from Jon Macken, Iain Andersen, Paul McKenna and Richard Cresswell.
Elsewhere, Birmingham are without a win in nine games after a 0-0 draw at home with Portsmouth, but they stay fourth after West Bromwich Albion's shock 1-0 home defeat by a Grimsby side battling to avoid the drop. Nottingham Forest stay just outside the play-off places after a 1-0 win over Stockport, County beaten for the first time in five starts by Stern John's 25th-minute goal. Tranmere are four points adrift at the bottom of the table after a 2-0 defeat to Queens Park Rangers thanks to goals from Peter Crouch and Andy Thomson. Alan Navarro, on loan from Liverpool, scored on his debut to put Crewe on the way to a 2-1 win over Gillingham. Chris Hope levelled for the Gills but teenage striker Dean Ashton bagged the winner after 59 minutes. Finally, Burnley beat Norwich 3-2 at Carrow Road.
Filed by Shane Murray
