Championship round-up:  Norwich focused on the tile, insists Farke

Championship round-up:  Norwich focused on the tile, insists boss Daniel Farke after win at QPR and Brentford seal play-off by beating Bournemouth

  • Norwich beat QPR to remain five points ahead of Watford with two games to go
  • Sub Mbeumo scored the only goal as Brentford beat play-off rivals Bournemouth
  • Barnsley boosted play-off hopes with controversial win at struggling Rotherham

Norwich boss Daniel Farke insists there will be no complacency as his side look to seal the Championship title.

The Canaries, already promoted, beat QPR 3-1 to remain five points ahead of Watford with two games to play. 

Farke said: ‘We know we are in a fantastic position, but Watford also has the quality to win their last two games.’

Xavi Quintilla, Max Aarons (above) and Emiliano Buendia were on target for Norwich at QPR

Norwich went ahead courtesy of Xavi Quintilla’s first career goal. Max Aarons doubled the lead just after City keeper Tim Krul had saved Lyndon Dykes’ penalty. Dykes atoned by pulling one back but Emiliano Buendia hit a late third. 

Brentford sealed a play-off place and leapfrogged opponents Bournemouth in the table as substitute Bryan Mbeumo scored the only goal.

The Bees had captain Pontus Jansson sent off early in the second half while Ivan Toney was unusually wasteful but Mbeumo stepped off the bench and needed only two minutes to break the deadlock.

Two points cover the four play-off places after Barnsley beat Rotherham 1-0 thanks to Carlton Morris’ controversial early goal.

Substitute Bryan Mbeumo scored the only goal as Brentford beat play-off rivals Bournemouth

The striker scored from a corner when he appeared to impede the goalkeeper as he jumped to connect with the ball.

Swansea can secure play-off places for themselves, Bournemouth and Barnsley by avoiding defeat against Reading on Sunday.

At the other end of the table, Wycombe’s relegation was all but confirmed after a 2-1 loss at Cardiff.

Adam Armstrong scored a hat-trick as Blackburn demolished Huddersfield 5-2

Joe Jacobson’s penalty was sandwiched by Kieffer Moore’s brace to leave Wanderers six points adrift of safety with two games to go and needing a 13-goal swing.

That they are still mathematically in it is down to Derby’s 2-1 defeat at home to Birmingham. Colin Kazim-Richards gave the Rams the lead but Lukas Jutkiewicz’s double secured Birmingham’s survival and left Wayne Rooney’s side just four points ahead of Rotherham, who have two games in hand.

Sheffield Wednesday are also four points adrift, without the solace of games in hand, after losing 3-1 at Middlesbrough. Yannick Bolasie’s opener was cancelled out by Josh Windass’ penalty but Josh Coburn and Duncan Watmore secured victory for Boro.

Adam Armstrong scored a hat-trick as Blackburn demolished Huddersfield 5-2. Blackburn’s leading marksman moved to 24 league goals for the season and Ben Brereton and Sam Gallagher also scored, with Ryan Nyambe’s own goal and Josh Koroma’s strike mere consolation for the Terriers who are still within range of Rotherham.

Alan Browne’s penalty earned Preston a 1-0 win at Coventry while Nottingham Forest and Stoke drew 1-1.

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