Championship

ABDUL FATAWU scored a stunning hat-trick and Leicester can surely start preparing for Premier League football now.The winger was scintillating and so were the Foxes who can be promoted as early as Friday.Abdul Fatuwu took home the match ballCredit: ReutersThe winger netted a stunning hat-trickCredit: GettyLeicester are now on the verge of securing promotion back to the top-flightCredit: ReutersFatawu’s 25th-minute opener and Wilfred Ndidi’s bullet 61st-minute header had already put Leicester firmly in charge.But then with 15 minutes left after picking up the ball on the right flank, he stepped inside to bypass two Saints defender before hammering an unstoppable effort into the top left corner.Then he laid the ball on a plate for Jamie Vardy to fire in his 16th goal of the season four minutes later.And it was raining goals as Fatawu smashed in the fifth.If Leeds lose at QPR on Friday they will go up before the weekend.But regardless of what Daniel Farke’s men do at Loftus Road, Leicester can wrap it up on Monday night at Preston.There have been so many butterflies in the stomach at the King Power after seeing a once SEVENTEEN point cushion in the automatic spots evaporate – and even slip out of the top two altogether.But when the chips are down, good teams pull their sleeves up and get the job done. And that is exactly what Enzo Maresca’s side did.Most read in SportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERTheir away form of late has been horrendous but the home wins against West Brom and now Southampton has them pretty much holding aloft their arms as they race towards the finishing line.This was last chance saloon for the Saints. They had to win to stand any realistic chance.Huge changes being made to English football schedule next seasonNdidi was not too far away with a curling effort that just fizzed past the right post. Saints though created a chance of their own as Joe Aribo released Adam Armstrong on the left and he teed up Che Adams, whose shot was blocked.Ndidi nodded wide at the far post from a James Justin cross.But the Foxes were not to be denied when Dewsbury-Hall threated a defence-splitting pass for Fatawu to run on and slot past Alex McCartney.It was a good job that the VAR spoilsports are not in the Championship – because Fatawu’s toenail, or at least half of it, may have been offside.Russell Martin then remonstrated with the fourth official after the assistant bizarrely flagged Che Adams offside despite the fact Fatawu had sliced the ball in the air and no Saints player had touched it as it looked like going out for a corner.After the break David Brooks raced through but just as he was about to pull the trigger James Justin bustled him off the ball.READ MORE SUN STORIESHearts were fluttering when Mads Hermansen flapped at a Brooks cross with minimal pressure from Adam Armstrong but was fortunate that Ricardo Pereira was there to clear.But Leicester grabbed the all-important second when Stephy Mavididi’s cross was met by a bullet header from Ndidi. And then came the late show. More

FANS were left in hysterics after Neil Warnock made a hilarious dig at his old players.The legendary manager was on punditry duty as Leicester took on Southampton in a mouthwatering Championship clash.Neil Warnock made a hilarious dig at his old playersCredit: Sky Sports Fans loved seeing him back on screensCredit: GettyRussell Martin is hoping to guide the Saints straight back to the Premier League with his possession-based approach.Talking tactics on Sky Sports, Warnock laughed he never had the players to implement passing out from the back.He said: “He [Martin] has that philosophy. That’s what he wants to do.”He’s fortunate because I have never had defenders that could pass water let alone a football.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”It’s difficult, you have to adapt, you go to a club and you have to find a system that suits the players you’ve got. I have had to go in everywhere and put fires out.”Fans loved it, saying: “Warnock is absolutely golden man.”Another added: “Quality as always.”Warnock claims he has “categorically retired” and has a “bucket list” to get through after 1626 games and eight promotions as a manager.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERHis last job was a month-long stint at Aberdeen in Scotland.Warnock said: “It’s a good time to stop when I look at VAR now.”Neil Warnock loses it with Rangers BALL BOYS after losing first match in charge of AberdeenHe was joined in the Sky Sports studio by fellow ex-Prem boss Nigel Pearson.And the 75-year-old had plenty of banter with the former Leicester manager.Warnock joked ten minutes before matches Pearson would “have a whiskey or glass of wine with his feet up”.Fans enjoyed the banter, with one commenting: “Lovely to see old school managers in Warnock and Pearson.”More reacted: “Pearson and Warnock on the same panel, this is going to be the best half-time ever.”Warnock’s promotions

Scarborough: Conference League title 1987
Notts County: Third Division play-offs 1990 and Second Division play-off 1991
Huddersfield: Second Division play-off 1995
Plymouth: Third Division play-off 1996
Sheffield United: Championship runner-up 2006
QPR: Championship title 2011
Cardiff: Championship runner-up 2017 More

THE date for one of the first legs of the Championship play-off semi-finals has been CHANGED due to a Premier League clash.The fifth-vs-fourth place game was initially set to take place at 8pm on Monday, May 13.The dates for the Championship play-off semi-finals have been confirmedCredit: PABut the match will now take place on the SAME DAY as the sixth-vs-third place match on Sunday, May 12.The former will now kick off at 2:15pm, with the latter being staged a few hours earlier at 12:30pm.According to reports, a Premier League match is to blame for the rescheduling of the match.It’s claimed Aston Villa’s home game with Liverpool at Villa Park has resulted in the change of date.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThat’s on account of the fact nearby West Brom are currently on course to finish the Championship season in fifth place.Hosting the fifth-vs-fourth-placed match the same day as Liverpool’s visit to Villa Park would put an incredible strain on local police and is likely why it has been moved to the day before.The reverse fixture will be held on Friday, May 17, with the match getting underway at 8pm.The second meeting of the fourth and fifth-place finishers will take place 24 hours earlier.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERLuton Town won last season’s Championship play-off finalThe play-off final – the richest game in all of football – will take place at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, May 26Ipswich Town, Southampton, West Brom and Norwich City are set to be the four teams vying for the third and final promotion spot. Thousands of fans flood onto Fratton Park pitch as Portsmouth return to Championship after 12 seasons away Last season’s final promotion spot was secured by Luton Town, who beat Coventry 6-5 on penalties to reach the Premier League for the first time in their history. More

CRYSENCIO SUMMERVILLE bagged a brace as Leeds roared back into the top two.The Whites looked to be falling apart again after firing blanks in their last two, leaving fans fearing a late collapse.Crysencio Summerville scored twice as Leeds beat Middlesbrough 4-3Credit: PAWilfried Gnonto was also on the scoresheet in a seven-goal thrillerCredit: RexBut Daniel Farke’s boys came out firing at Middlesbrough to leapfrog Ipswich into second with Patrick Bamford and Wilfried Gnonto also on the scoresheet.Leeds are now two points ahead of the Tractor Boys and have a golden chance to heap further on them at QPR on Friday before the Suffolk side play again.A helter-skelter first half saw the visitors 3-2 up at the break before Summerville wrapped up the priceless points with a second-half beauty.And there looks to be no stopping them when in this mood with Summerville, Gnonto and Georgiono Rutter causing Boro havoc on the break.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWhat a chance this was to poke a nose ahead of Ipswich and even make life nervy for leaders Leicester.But rivals Boro were hardly going to roll out the red carpet, and disaster struck just seven minutes in.Gnonto was the culprit as he gave the ball cheaply on halfway.Put through on goal, Emmanuel Latte Lath collided with Leeds defender Ilia Gruev and keeper Illan Meslier.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe ball broke loose, Junio Firpo dawdled, and Jones was on hand to roll into the empty net to stun the away fans.But the Leeds end then erupted twice in four minutes as the west Yorkshiremen charged into the lead.’Breathtaking’ BBC Sports presenter Emma Louise Jones stuns in daring low cut dress as she hosts major awards dinnerAnfernee Dijksteel hacked Georgino Rutter down for a stonewall penalty, with Bamford selflessly giving it to Summerville to bury.Bamford’s chance came moments later, and the striker didn’t disappoint with a brilliantly improvised finish.Junior Firpo’s teasing cross from the left caught Boro’s defence napping as the once-capped England striker sneaked into the six-yard box, and with indecisive keeper Seny Dieng unsure what to do, he opened his body up and bundled the bouncing ball in off his hip.It was quickly turning into one of those madcap nights, and it was Boro’s turn next to strike back 30 minutes in.Rutter gave it away cheaply and Finna Azaz worked it forward to Latte Lath, who feinted to shoot before rifling through Meslier’s weak hand from the top of the box.Leeds were far from done though and they were 3-2 up eight minutes later with the goal of the night – even if it should have been flagged offside.Classy teen Archie Gray won it in midfield and glided forward before finding Summerville, who fed Gnonto.The Italian was clearly offside but Boro’s protests were waved away as ice-cool Gnonto stroked beyond Dieng.Leeds were purring now, with Dieng denying Bamford a second immediately after.The second half was never likely to match the bonkers first, and so it proved.Boro were the ones pushing but Leeds’ defence, so doggy early on, held firm.And their devastating counter struck again after 61 minutes to seal victory.A beauty from Summerville, the Dutchman collected it after a neat build up on the left side of the box before skipping in beyond two challenges and bending his 19th of the campaign into the far corner.READ MORE SUN STORIESBoro gave as good as they got but couldn’t handle Leeds’ electric front line all night.Michael Carrick’s side had to win to stand any chance of gatecrashing the play-offs but, still nine points off sixth, their race is all but done. More

FURIOUS Leicester City fans claim they are being fleeced by the Foxes – after being charged £25 for a plastic season ticket.The move comes as part of a five per cent price hike – the second increase in three years – which will see the cheapest season ticket go up £19 from £385 to £404.Fans will have to fork out more to watch Leicester next seasonCredit: GettySupporters have continued to turn up in their droves despite the Foxes’ relegation last seasonCredit: Getty
But Foxes fans are particularly aggrieved about the club charging them an additional £25 to hold a physical season ticket, rather than converting to a mobile ticket.
One fan took to social media to complain: “£25 to replace the perfectly good card I have, absolutely disgraceful.”While another asked: “Please can you explain to me how a small piece of plastic costs £25 (presumably there’s no profiteering going on here) whilst a struggling club like Bradford City it only costs them £5? Shall I find out who their supplier is for you?”Leicester risked the wrath of their fans by announcing the price rise as it entered a third year of mobile ticketing, claiming it “aligns with our goals for a more sustainable and efficient stadium experience for supporters”.But a further fan hit back: “So printing out 30,000 clappers every game for them to be thrown around outside the stadium is better than printing 20,000 plastic cards once? Fair enough.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFan group Foxes Trust say the digital ticketing option is unpopular among season-ticket holders who feel they are being financially hit in the pocket for refusing to switch to the mobile system.They issued a statement slamming the club for not consulting them about the process.It said: “In the past, the LCFC Fan Consultative Committee has been consulted on ticketing prices.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER”This year, the Foxes Trust is not aware of any fan consultation on price increases or charging for physical cards for 2024/25.Most read in Championship”It is discouraging that this has not happened.Harry Winks voices his disappointment as Leicester blows 17-point lead as Leeds overtake Foxes in table “We appreciate costs have increased for the club, but the increase in the cost of living for supporters should be acknowledged and their loyalty, after relegation, recognised. Inflation is currently only 3.2 per cent.“The charge of £25 to obtain a new physical season ticket appears to be unjustifiable on grounds of cost of production alone.”Only around 1,600 season ticket holders chose to go digital last season; a clear indication the vast majority of season ticket holders do not want to go digital, and in addition there have been a number of glitches with the digital ticket system this season.’A MATTER OF URGENCY’“The Trust has previously raised the issue around the unsuitability of digital tickets for people with no access to smartphones, the disabled, the elderly, etc. and stressed that digital exclusion leads to discrimination.”The club has assured us exceptions can be made, and we will be seeking clarification on this as a matter of urgency.”It is noted that the club states that the £25 physical card charge will also be waived for disabled supporters and over-65s, but that does not address the overall issue.”Another fans group Union FS issued a statement urging: “Stop the LCFC Loyalty Tax,” and stated: “The timing of the announcement is baffling, given the need for a positive atmosphere around the ground as we enter the final push for promotion.”The club must scrap this terrible idea immediately and we urge our fellow fans not to apply for the card.”Leicester City FC explained the decision, saying: “Ticket pricing for the season has been carefully considered in the context of ongoing inflationary pressures which, as we entirely appreciate, are a reality shared by both the club and its supporters with the rising cost of living.READ MORE SUN STORIES”The club has and will continue to bear the majority of the increased operating costs to which we are subject, while recognising the need to operate responsibly and sustainably.“The club continues to benchmark against industry standards. Season tickets at King Power Stadium continue to be priced at competitive levels and continue to reflect our commitment to keeping football accessible and affordable for our dedicated supporters.” More