Darren Huckerby grabbed a hat-trick as promoted Manchester City sealed the first division championship in style on Saturday with a 5-1 demolition of Barnsley at Maine Road. Huckerby struck after 12, 36, and 70 minutes with Jon Macken also scoring twice to secure the win for Kevin Keegan's side, who earned promotion to the premier league on Friday after second-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers lost at Millwall.
With 93 points from 44 games, City cannot be caught by Wolves or third-placed West Bromwich Albion, who both have 82 points. City have now scored 102 league goals this season. Bruce Dyer netted for relegation-threatened Barnsley just before halftime but they remain deep in trouble, two points from safety.
With third-placed West Bromwich Albion and playoff hopefuls Birmingham City not playing until Sunday, Burnley took the chance to cement their own place in the top six with a 2-0 win at home to Gillingham. Ian Moore and David Johnson scored twice in seven second- half minutes for Stan Ternent's side.
Preston North End jumped into sixth place with a 4-0 defeat of Coventry City, while Norwich City slipped up in a 1-1 draw with struggling Grimsby Town.
Wimbledon's push for the playoffs stuttered with a costly 2-1 home defeat by Bradford City. At the bottom, Walsall gave themselves a massive boost by beating Stockport County 1-0 courtesy of Jorge Leitao's 50th-minute strike. The win lifted Walsall out of the relegation zone and into 20th place.
On Sunday, West Brom host Rotherham United, Birmingham face Portsmouth and relegation-threatened Crewe Alexandra meet Crystal Palace.
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
