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      Middlesbrough 1 Coventry 1: Sky Blues earn vital point to seal play-off spot… where pair face each other again

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      COVENTRY CITY and Middlesbrough will lock horns again in the play-offs after this draw ensured the Sky Blues a fifth-placed finish.And they will be joined by Sunderland, whose stunning 3-0 win at Preston, led to them pipping Blackburn on goal difference to snatch sixth.
      Coventry’s Gustavo Hamer celebrates after firing them ahead at MiddlesbroughCredit: PA
      Cameron Archer rifled Boro level in first half stoppage timeCredit: PA
      The Black Cats will now take on third-placed Luton in the other play-off semi as Millwall, who were beaten 4-3 late on at home by Rovers, and West Brom, who lost 3-2 at Swansea.
      Coventry flew out of the traps at the Riverside with Gustavo Hamer hammering a low drive across goal which was pushed wide by a solid hand from Zack Steffen.
      Josh Eccles rifled another effort past the post as they continued to look the most dangerous before they deservedly broke the deadlock on 22 minutes.
      Boro appeared to have rode out the early storm, but Hamer carried the ball from midfield and received it back from Viktor Gyokeres before firing a bullet across Steffen and into the bottom corner.
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      Sky Blues boss Mark Robins, who has guided the club up from League Two since taking charge in 2017, urged his side on as they pressed for a second but he was tearing his hair out at the slack defending Boro punished on the stroke of half time.
      Isaiah Jones caught the Coventry defence napping with a quick short corner to Riley McGree.
      The Australian international drove into the area and laid it off for Alex Mowatt to pull the trigger.
      His low shot hit Cameron Archer on the way before it pinged around the crowd off blue and red shirts, but the on-loan Aston Villa forward reacted quickest to hammer home the equaliser.
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      Coventry knew beforehand a point would do, and the nerves started jangling in the second period as scores from elsewhere started to filter through with Boro taking the ascendency.
      But with little action happening on the pitch, the travelling supporters burst into celebration late on as news filtered through of Blackburn taking the lead in that rollercoaster clash at Millwall.
      And as the final whistle sealed their play-off spot, they are now preparing to do battle with Boro again at home on Sunday lunchtime. More

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      Millwall blow promotion hopes in crazy 45-min collapse as delirious Sunderland sneak into playoff places

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      THE CHAMPIONSHIP did not disappoint as teams produced some thrilling drama on the final day.Millwall and Blackburn both battled for a spot in the play-offs at The Den.
      Millwall blew a two-goal lead to miss out on the top sixCredit: PA
      Blackburn may have beaten Millwall but both were in despair at full time as they missed out on the play-offsCredit: Reuters
      Sunderland had joy as they secured a spot in the Championship play-offsCredit: Reuters
      Champions Burnley finished with a winCredit: Reuters
      Rovers came back from 3-1 down to draw themselves level and give themselves some hope of reaching sixth place.
      Ben Brereton Diaz netted an 86th-minute winner, but results elsewhere meant heartbreak for the former Premier League Champions.
      West Brom and Swansea also suffered disappointment despite playing out their own tense match.
      Both sides had an outside chance of finishing in the playoff spots but needed to win and results to go their way.
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      However, the Swans won the game in the final moments with a Joël Piroe goal to make it 3-2 in Wales.
      The final play-off spot instead went to Sunderland thanks to their storming 3-0 win over Preston North End.
      Manchester United loanee Amad Diallo set the Blackcats on their way with a screamer.
      The win has set them up for a chance to get back to the top flight since relegation in 2017.
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      Burnley and Sheffield United both celebrated their automatic places in style as they won their final games matches against Cardiff and Birmingham respectively.
      Neither of the opponents had anything left to play for having confirmed their safety from relegation and were too far away from a playoff spot.
      Playoff duo Coventry and Middlesbrough shared the spoils while 3rd placed Luton Town played out a goalless draw against Hull City.
      Relegated Wigan and Blackpool gave good accounts of themselves despite their disappointing seasons.
      Blackpool managed a 1-0 win over Norwich thanks to an effort from Morgan Rogers, while Wigan battled to a 0-0 draw against Rotherham.
      Reading however limped out of the league to a 1-0 defeat to Huddersfield Town at the John Smith’s Stadium.
      Elsewhere in the league, Watford beat Stoke City and Bristol City ran out winners against QPR. More

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      When are the EFL play-offs? Championship, League One, League Two dates, kick-off times and all the details you need

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      IT’S crunch time in the EFL as the agony and ecstasy of the play-offs is almost upon us – and the encounters have been finalised.Every year, in each of the three divisions in the Football League – Championship, League One and League Two – four teams compete in the play-offs with only one earning promotion in the final at Wembley.
      Nottingham Forest beat Huddersfield in last year’s Championship play-off final.Credit: Reuters
      For Championship sides fighting for a top-6 spot, they will be eyeing a place in the Premier League and all the cash that goes with that precious promotion.
      Burnley and Sheffield United have already booked their place in next season’s top flight, but one more space remains to join them.
      Luton Town and Middlesbrough will definitely be involved in the dramatic Championship play-offs this year, despite whatever happens on the final day.
      5th and 6th are still up for grabs with Coventry, Millwall, Sunderland, West Brom and Blackburn Rovers all in the conversation.
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      When are the EFL play-off semi-finals?
      Here are all the confirmed dates for this year’s EFL play-off semi-finals:
      Championship:

      Semi-final, first leg – Sunderland vs Luton on Saturday, May 13th – Kick off: 5:30pm BST
      Semi-final, first leg – Coventry vs Middlesbrough on Sunday, May 14th – Kick off: 12pm BST
      Semi-final, second leg – Luton vs Sunderland on Tuesday, May 16th – Kick off: 8pm BST
      Semi-final, second leg – Middlesbrough vs Coventry on Wednesday, May 17th – Kick off: 8pm BST

      League One:
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      Semi-final, first leg – Peterborough United vs Sheffield Wednesday on Friday, May 12th – Kick off: 8pm BST
      Semi-final, first leg – Bolton Wanderers vs Barnsley on Saturday, May 13th – Kick off: 3pm BST
      Semi-final, second leg – Sheffield Wednesday vs Peterborough United on Thursday, May 18th – Kick off: 8pm BST
      Semi-final, second leg – Bolton Wanderers vs Barnsley on Friday May 19th – Kick off: 8pm BST

      League Two:

      Semi-final, first leg – Salford City vs Stockport on Saturday, May 13th – Kick off: 7:45pm BST
      Semi-final, first leg – Braford vs Carlisle on Sunday, May 14th – Kick off: 7pm BST
      Semi-final, second leg – Stockport vs Salford City on Saturday, May 20th – Kick off: 12:30pm BST
      Semi-final, second leg – Carlisle vs Bradford on Saturday, May 20th – Kick off: 3pm BST

      When are the EFL play-off finals?
      All of the EFL play-off finals will be hosted at Wembley Stadium.

      The Championship play-off final will be played on Saturday, May 27 – Kick off: 4:45pm BST
      The League One play-off final will be played on Monday, May 29th – Kick off: 3pm BST
      The League Two play-off final will be played on Sunday, May 28th – Kick off: 1:30pm BST

      What channel is the EFL play-offs on and can they be live streamed?

      Coverage of all EFL play-off games will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Football.
      Sky Sports subscribers can live stream all the action via the NOW app.
      The NOW app is free to download onto your mobile or tablet device. More

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      Tottenham blow in manager search as Vincent Kompany signs new five-year Burnley deal

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      VINCENT KOMPANY has signed a new five-year contract at Burnley.And that ends any speculation of him taking the vacant Tottenham job.
      Vincent Kompany has signed a new contract as Burnley bossCredit: Getty
      The Belgian took over at Turf Moor last summer and immediately led the Clarets back into the Premier League in his first season managing in England.
      His side have racked up 98 points with one game remaining.
      That led to links with Kompany replacing Antonio Conte in the White Hart Lane dugout.
      However, SunSport revealed last month that he had told his staff he would be staying put at Turf Moor.

      And now the 37-year-old has pledged his future to Burnley until 2028.
      The former Manchester City captain said: “Burnley and Turf Moor felt right pretty much from the start – so it also feels right to sign for the next five years.
      “Together with the fans we have made Turf Moor a fortress again and continue to look forward to the future and the job of making Burnley better with every step.”
      Chairman Alan Pace added: “We are ecstatic Vincent has signed a new deal.
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      “He is the perfect fit for how we all see Burnley Football Club moving forward.
      “An extraordinary leader, setting ever higher standards and driving our club to the levels we all want to achieve.”
      Kompany and his Burnley players will get their hands on the Championship trophy on Monday.
      The champions host Cardiff on what will be a celebratory day for the home side, who sealed the title at arch-rivals Blackburn.
      Kompany was praised for his classy gesture to apologise after midfielder Josh Brownhill taunted Rovers supporters.
      Tottenham had identified the ex-Anderlecht boss as their primary target when Conte was dismissed.
      But now they will have to turn thei attention elsewhere.
      Xabi Alonso is high on Daniel Levy’s wishlist after impressing at Bayer Leverkusen while a romantic return for Mauricio Pochettino is still a slim possibility.
      Julian Nagelsmann remains the favourite, though, with Brendan Rodgers also in contention. More

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      Curtis Davies, 38, wants another year on pitch as Derby mull contract extension despite star’s blossoming media career

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      CURTIS DAVIES wants to play on for one more year — despite turning 38 in March.The Derby centre-half is still fit and hungry to play.
      Derby ace Curtis Davies wants to play for one more year despite his advanced ageCredit: Rex
      Derby will decide about a contract extension for Davies at the end of the seasonCredit: Rex
      And despite a blossoming media career, he plans to stay on the pitch as long as possible.
      County will decide whether to offer him a contract extension following the final game of the season against Sheffield Wednesday.
      But Davies is willing to move to keep his boots on.
      Nevertheless, the centre-back still wants to prepare himself for retirement.
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      The ex-England Under-21 international has a first-class honours degree from Staffordshire University in professional sports writing and broadcasting and a career in media appeals to him.
      However, the ex-West Brom star remains unsure about turning to management.
      Davies told The Guardian: “It’s not in me so much right now.
      “It’s in the back of my mind. A lot of managers have said to me I’ll be a manager.
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      “But it’s a stressful life. You have very little time to make your stamp on something.
      “Derby has opened my eyes to lots of things. It’s opened my eyes to the boardroom and the types of people who should be involved.
      “Would I ever want to go on the executive side? But when you’re in football you realise how much politics there is in general.” More

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      Ex-Man Utd flop Nick Powell to quit Stoke with Potters to use his massive wages to go on summer transfer overhaul

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      NICK POWELL is leaving Stoke at the end of his lucrative contract.Talented attacker Powell wants a new challenge after his four-year spell at the club.
      Stoke ace Nick Powell is set to leave in the summer transfer windowCredit: Getty
      Powell played for Manchester United before joining StokeCredit: Getty
      And he will be one of the better free agents on the market.
      The former Manchester United prospect, 29, was on a big deal at Stoke.
      His exit will give Potters boss Alex Neil extra space in the budget to sign a couple of new faces.
      Neil has stated that Stoke will concentrate on “educated gambles” in the upcoming summer transfer window.
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      The Scottish tactician outlined his plans ahead of Monday’s Championship clash at Watford.
      Neil said: “There are going to have to be some educated gambles.
      “There might be a certain quality we can acquire we need to take an element of risk on.
      “If we were to take a hard line on that and say everyone is going to have to have played 90 per cent of games completed or we don’t sign them… I don’t think we’re at that stage yet.
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      “That might be in a couple of windows when we have the basis of a core squad and we’re adding the final touches. We’re not there at the moment.
      “We need to get to a point where the fundamentals are in place and know this is the group we’re going to go forward with in the next two or three seasons.
      “I think that is what the club needs. It hasn’t had that for a number of years.
      “Then we can push that on and start to add the bits around it.
      “Preferably we want players who don’t get injured and recruitment is a big part in that but there will be a few educated gambles, I imagine, in there.” More

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      Derby lead race to sign red-hot Northern Irish striker Lee Bonis in bargain transfer.. even if they don’t get promoted

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      DERBY head the race to sign Northern Irish striker Lee Bonis.The Larne striker, 23, has 16 goals this season.
      Larne star Lee Bonis is being targeted by Derby ahead of the summer transfer windowCredit: Rex
      And Bonis could now move for about £200,000 in the summer.
      League One Rams are chasing promotion – currently sitting sixth in the third tier.
      But they may bid for him even if they do not go back up to the Championship.
      Dundee United have also been linked with a summer move for the centre-forward.
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      Bonis’ impressive displays have helped fire Larne to the Irish Premiership title.
      The ex-Northern Ireland Under-21 international has been a revelation for the champions after moving from Portadown last year in a £100,000 deal.
      Larne manager Tiernan Lynch is braced for the forward’s departure but insists the Derby target will not be sold on the cheap.
      Lynch said: “My honest answer is that I think Lee has the capabilities to get across the water.
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      “I think he has all the attributes that teams would be looking for — big, strong, physical, athletic and scores goals.
      “I don’t think you would get Lee for anything less than £300,000.
      “I think you need to flip that back and ask if potential clubs can afford not to look at someone like Lee?
      “In today’s market, £300,000 isn’t a huge amount of money.” More

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      Angry Wigan players in talks to go on STRIKE and refuse to play final Championship game of season over more unpaid wages

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      ANGRY Wigan players are in talks about going on STRIKE — and refusing to play the final Championship game of the season against Rotherham on Monday.The Latics squad, who did not train on Saturday, have been let down by the club’s Bahraini owners who failed to pay all the wages on time on Friday.
      Wigan players did not have their wages paid on FridayCredit: Rex
      They are now considering going on strikeCredit: Rex
      Some players have now been paid late — but those out of contract in the summer are still to see their money.
      And unless that missing cash arrives before the match with the Millers, relegated Wigan are openly discussing not playing.
      Chairman Talal Al Hammad revealed that the cash will not go in until AFTER the game — and that may not be enough to convince the players to turn out.
      Wigan could be forced to use their reserves or even youth-team players to make up numbers, although that would cause further trouble with the EFL — who are also fuming about the situation.
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      The Latics were hit with a three-point penalty by the league for previous offences of not paying players or staff on four occasions this season.
      They have other charges against their owners, who were ordered to put cash aside for salaries.
      But to field a weakened side — even in a meaningless game — would see further potential punishments that could include points penalties for next season.
      Al Hammad said “all available resources” had been used so far, raising huge questions about how they can fund the club in the long term.
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      A Wigan statement read: “Staff wages were paid on Friday with the chairman Mr Talal Al Hammad making a decision to pay as many employees as possible within the organisation with the resources available.
      “All remaining playing and non-playing staff will be paid at the earliest opportunity following the Bank Holiday weekend.
      “The ownership group, Phoenix 2021 Limited, insist they are working hard to ensure that this is rectified as soon as possible and apologise again for the stress this has caused.
      “All first-team players have been given the day off from training today given the difficult circumstances.
      “The club will make no further comment until it has further clarification.” More