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Jason Knight celebrates his goal. David Davies
Goal Crazy

Irish U21 star Knight scores but Derby lose, Wigan hit 7 goals in first half to crush Hull

West Brom now know that wins in their remaining two games will clinch promotion to the Premier League.

LAST UPDATE | Jul 14th 2020, 10:20 PM

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND international Jason Knight found the scoresheet to no avail tonight, as his Derby County side had their play-off hopes all but extinguished in a 2-1 defeat to Cardiff. 

Knight was at fault for the opening goal as his poor backpass was intercepted by Junior Hoilett, who rounded goalkeeper Kelle Roos to slot home. Knight made amends at the half-hour mark, however, rifling a shot beyond Alex Smithies.

Derby, however, were undone by an error in midfield by Wayne Rooney, who lost possession in midfield in a move that ended with Lee Tomlin scoring. 

The result consolidates Cardiff’s place in the top six, and the Bluebirds will be guaranteed a play-off spot if they win their remaining games. 

Derby have to win their last two games and hope Cardiff remain pointless, while also hoping that several teams in between somehow fail to pick up enough points.

If Cardiff do slip up, Milwall are well-placed to capitalise as their 1-0 win at home to Blackburn Rovers moved to within to seventh place and within two points of the Bluebirds.

Irish U21 captain Jayson Molumby was introduced off the bench for the London side, with senior Irish international Darragh Lenihan playing the full game for Rovers. 

Further up the table, it finished scoreless in the big promotion clash in the Championship with second-placed West Brom at home to fourth-placed Fulham.

Young Irish defender Dara O’Shea started for West Brom with Callum Robinson coming on while Cyrus Christie was introduced for Fulham.

Slaven Billic’s West Brom side are now two points behind league leaders but now know that victories in their two remaining games will ensure automatic promotion to the Premier League next season.

At the bottom, Wigan Athletic scored seven first-half goals in a stunning display in the Championship this evening to set up an eventual 8-0 win over relegation-threatened Hull City.

Kieran Dowell scored a hat-trick, including the only goal of the second half, but all the action came in the opening period.

The rout at the DW Stadium began for the home side when Kai Naismith netted in the 2nd minute but they didn’t add to the tally again until the 27th minute and have scored five times between the 32nd minute and the interval break.

Kieffer Moore and Dowell struck braces with Jamal Lowe and Joseph Williams also on the scoresheet for a Hull side that had former Cork City player Sean McLoughlin on the bench.

Wigan are currently in 13th place but are in a battle to avoid the drop as they could be facing a 12-point deduction at the end of the season. As it stands the 2013 FA Cup champions are 11 points ahead of Charlton in 22nd while Hull are stuck in the relegation zone in 23rd.

Hull are level on points with Luton Town, who retain some hope of beating the drop following a 1-1 draw at home to QPR. Irish international James Collins scored from the spot in the first half for Luton, but Dominic Ball equalised for the visitors midway through the second half. Luton are second-from-bottom, a point from safety. 

Huddersfield are looking nervously over their shoulders following a 0-0 draw with Sheffield Wednesday, leaving them three clear of the drop. 

 Middlesbrough gave their hopes of staying up a massive boost with a 2-1 victory away to Reading. Liam Moore opened the scoring for the home side before Middlesbrough countered with Ashley Fletcher levelling the game in the 45th minute and Patrick Roberts scoring the winner in the 82nd minute. The victory leaves Middlesbrough in 17th place, four points clear of the drop.

Updated at 22.15 with details of the late kick-offs. 

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