http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/?service=Rss http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/rochdale-take-up-arms-to-end-lengthy-wait-829970.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/rochdale-take-up-arms-to-end-lengthy-wait-829970.html?r=RSS <p>While the rest of the country tune into Wembley for this afternoon's 127th FA Cup final, four sides meet either side of the showpiece match, vying for the opportunity to follow Portsmouth and Cardiff to the famous stadium and earn a place in League One next season.</p> Football League Sat, 17 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/doncaster-rovers-5-southend-united-1-coppingers-treble-sends-rovers-to-wembley-830011.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/doncaster-rovers-5-southend-united-1-coppingers-treble-sends-rovers-to-wembley-830011.html?r=RSS <p>Sean O'Driscoll has cornered the market in understatement. Fortunately his football team are far more eloquent and expressive. They certainly justified their tag as the best exponents of the finer arts last night to book their place in the League One play-off final to give Gary McAllister, manager of opponents Leeds United, plenty of food for thought ahead of an intriguing Yorkshire argument at Wembley.</p> Football League Sat, 17 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/carlisle-united-0-leeds-united-2-leeds-win-32-on-agg-local-hero-howson-sends-leeds-on-trip-to-wembley-829383.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/carlisle-united-0-leeds-united-2-leeds-win-32-on-agg-local-hero-howson-sends-leeds-on-trip-to-wembley-829383.html?r=RSS <p>Leeds United may well have bottomed out. There remains a play-off final at Wembley against either Doncaster Rovers or Southend United on Sunday week, but Leeds head to London with a sense of renewal. Inspired by 34-year-old Dougie Freedman, on loan from Crystal Palace, Leeds sealed their progress in dramatic style when hometown teenager Jonathan Howson drilled in his second of the evening 17 seconds into injury-time. </p> Football League Fri, 16 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/cardiff-captain-lauds-miracle-man-ridsdale-828192.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/cardiff-captain-lauds-miracle-man-ridsdale-828192.html?r=RSS <p>There are one or two Leeds fans who may well respond "which leg?" when they hear the plea of their former midfielder Stephen McPhail, but the Cardiff City captain is unashamed in asking for the football world "to give Peter Ridsdale a break" &ndash; starting this Saturday at Wembley.</p> Football League Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/dowie-charged-with-taking-qpr-back-to-the-top-flight-828195.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/dowie-charged-with-taking-qpr-back-to-the-top-flight-828195.html?r=RSS <p>Reports last week suggested it might be Zinedine Zidane. Instead, Iain Dowie has been appointed as the new first-team coach of Queen's Park Rangers. The 43-year-old, who spent three years with the club as a player and also had stints as caretaker manager and assistant manager, has signed a two-year contract.</p> Football League Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/hull-city-4-watford-1-ihull-win-61-on-aggi-barmby-directs-hull-down-wembley-way-828351.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/hull-city-4-watford-1-ihull-win-61-on-aggi-barmby-directs-hull-down-wembley-way-828351.html?r=RSS <p> The KC Stadium hosted a pitch invasion and they played &quot;London Calling&quot; over the Tannoy as manager Phil Brown was soaked in champagne: Hull City have not had many great nights in their 104-year history but this was definitely one of them. Having never been to Wembley in that time nor played in England's top flight, one of those unwanted records was rectified in a crushing second-half performance. </p> Football League Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/dowie-secures-qpr-job-827936.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/dowie-secures-qpr-job-827936.html?r=RSS <p> Iain Dowie has been appointed the new first-team coach of Coca-Cola Championship side Queen's Park Rangers. </p> Football League Wed, 14 May 2008 11:42:09 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/bristol-city-2-crystal-palace-1-iaet-bc-win-42-on-aggi-trundle-carries-robins-to-wembley-827775.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/bristol-city-2-crystal-palace-1-iaet-bc-win-42-on-aggi-trundle-carries-robins-to-wembley-827775.html?r=RSS <p>Goals in each half of extra-time from Lee Trundle and Michael McIndoe helped Bristol City secure their place in the Championship play-off final at Wembley on 24 May against Hull City or Watford. </p> Football League Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/leeds-united-1-carlisle-united-2-graham-deflects-attention-as-leeds-sound-bum-note-827103.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/leeds-united-1-carlisle-united-2-graham-deflects-attention-as-leeds-sound-bum-note-827103.html?r=RSS <p>Dougie Freedman threw Leeds a promotion lifeline deep into stoppage-time after Carlisle had stolen a two-goal advantage in the first leg of their Coca-Cola League One play-off semi-final. </p> Football League Tue, 13 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/ebbsfleet-united-1-torquay-united-0-mcphee-eyes-move-after-final-touch-for-ebbsfleet-826311.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/ebbsfleet-united-1-torquay-united-0-mcphee-eyes-move-after-final-touch-for-ebbsfleet-826311.html?r=RSS <p>While Ebbsfleet United are now owned by shareholders sourced through the internet and have a sponsor who can whisk them away to France at a moment's notice, the man who scored their winner on Saturday is altogether less exotic.</p> Football League Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/crystal-palace-1-bristol-city-2-warnock-protests-after-city-flex-muscles-at-palace-826314.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/crystal-palace-1-bristol-city-2-warnock-protests-after-city-flex-muscles-at-palace-826314.html?r=RSS <p>Crystal Palace's manager Neil Warnock wrote in these pages on Saturday that his most enjoyable journey home this season followed a superb rearguard action at Stoke and that the worst was after conceding a late equalising goal at Bristol City in February. The trip back along the M4 following tomorrow night's second leg of the Championship semi-final play-off is likely to set a new high or low, depending on whether his team can overcome the advantage that City established on Saturday with David Noble's superb 30-yard shot in the third minute of added time.</p> Football League Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/watford-0-hull-city-2-barmby-puts-hull-in-sight-of-a-first-wembley-final-826316.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/watford-0-hull-city-2-barmby-puts-hull-in-sight-of-a-first-wembley-final-826316.html?r=RSS <p>Dean Windass is 39 years old and Nick Barmby is 34 and both were born in Hull. The pair might not feature much if the Tigers reach the Premier League next season but they picked their moment here at Vicarage Road, a goal apiece making almost certain that they will continue to shape the club's destiny in the short-term at least. </p> Football League Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/ward-goes-on-attack-to-restore-carlisles-momentum-826317.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/ward-goes-on-attack-to-restore-carlisles-momentum-826317.html?r=RSS <p>The Carlisle United manager John Ward has warned Leeds his side will not be coming to Elland Road to defend in the first leg of their League One play-off semi-final today.</p> Football League Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/crystal-palace-1-bristol-city-2-palace-brought-down-by-nobles-regal-finish-825865.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/crystal-palace-1-bristol-city-2-palace-brought-down-by-nobles-regal-finish-825865.html?r=RSS <p>Momentum, supposed to be with Crystal Palace after a storming finish to the Championship season, was lost, dramatically regained and then surrendered again when David Noble drove in a 30-yard shot that establishes Bristol City as favourites to reach the play-off final on Saturday week.</p> Football League Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/darlington-2-rochdale-1-miller-downs-dale-to-wrestle-control-825866.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/darlington-2-rochdale-1-miller-downs-dale-to-wrestle-control-825866.html?r=RSS <p>Darlington left it late before securing a victory that gives them a crucial edge over Rochdale as they attempt to reach the League Two play-off final at Wembley. Ian Miller, a Darlington substitute, had been on for only five minutes when he headed the winner in stoppage time from Neil Wainwright's free-kick.</p> Football League Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/crystal-palace-1-bristol-city-2-late-drama-stuns-palace-825690.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/crystal-palace-1-bristol-city-2-late-drama-stuns-palace-825690.html?r=RSS <p> David Noble's last-gasp 30-yard goal enabled Bristol City to stun Crystal Palace in a thrilling Coca-Cola Championship play-off semi-final first leg. </p> Football League Sat, 10 May 2008 14:31:59 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/underdogs-can-have-day-in-playoffs-says-johnson-825501.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/underdogs-can-have-day-in-playoffs-says-johnson-825501.html?r=RSS <p>Form and history do not favour Bristol City today as they begin their attempt to return to the top flight through the Championship play-offs against Crystal Palace. City have played in five play-offs and lost them all; they have not beaten their semi-final opponents since 1993 and not won at Selhurst Park since 1974.</p> Football League Sat, 10 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/southend-united-0-doncaster-rovers-0-doncasters-determined-draw-spoiled-by-heffernan-headbutt-825505.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/southend-united-0-doncaster-rovers-0-doncasters-determined-draw-spoiled-by-heffernan-headbutt-825505.html?r=RSS <p>Southend's rising hopes of making an immediate return to the Championship were offered a reality check here last night as a Doncaster side which was supposed to be down in the dumps after losing the second automatic League One promotion spot on Saturday refused to roll over in the first leg of the play-off semi-final last night, despite the 87th-minute dismissal of Paul Heffernan for violent conduct.</p> Football League Sat, 10 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/de-canio-leaves-qpr-823413.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/de-canio-leaves-qpr-823413.html?r=RSS <p> QPR have parted company with first-team coach Luigi De Canio by mutual consent. </p> Football League Thu, 08 May 2008 16:03:36 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/bristol-city-3-preston-north-end-0-trundle-finds-form-at-perfect-time-for-city-821170.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/bristol-city-3-preston-north-end-0-trundle-finds-form-at-perfect-time-for-city-821170.html?r=RSS <p>Lee Trundle has started justifying his &pound;1m transfer fee at just the right time as Bristol City continue their remarkable surge toward the Premier League.</p> Football League Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/ipswich-town-1-hull-city-0-hull-face-lottery-after-loss-821171.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/ipswich-town-1-hull-city-0-hull-face-lottery-after-loss-821171.html?r=RSS <p>As the final whistle blew at Portman Road the victorious Ipswich Town players turned to whoever they could to seek confirmation that their efforts would get the reward they desired. Stewards, fans and staff were queried, but all came back with the same negative reply. Results elsewhere meant Alan Lee's winning goal, with just his second touch after coming on as substitute, was not enough to give Ipswich the play-off position they craved. </p> Football League Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/crystal-palace-burnley-0-warnock-takes-big-mo-to-playoffs-821173.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/crystal-palace-burnley-0-warnock-takes-big-mo-to-playoffs-821173.html?r=RSS <p>In American politics, they call it "The Big Mo"; in the Championship, they prefer the understatement of the full word: momentum. The perception is that momentum has more of a bearing than mere final league position when it comes to achieving success in the play-offs.</p> Football League Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/southampton-3-sheffield-united-2-saints-are-saved-by-john-double-821174.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/southampton-3-sheffield-united-2-saints-are-saved-by-john-double-821174.html?r=RSS <p>The Southampton manager, Nigel Pearson, was the calmest man inside St Mary's after his side completed a dramatic escape from being relegated from the Championship.</p> Football League Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/stoke-city-0-leicester-city-0-potters-wheel-turns-back-to-the-top-flight-821189.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/stoke-city-0-leicester-city-0-potters-wheel-turns-back-to-the-top-flight-821189.html?r=RSS <p>Amid gripping last-day drama befitting a muddled and utterly absorbing Championship season, Stoke City yesterday sealed promotion with a draw that also relegated Leicester City to the third tier for the first time in their 124-year history.</p> Football League Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/surman-thinks-the-unthinkable-but-intends-to-keep-saints-alive-820780.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/surman-thinks-the-unthinkable-but-intends-to-keep-saints-alive-820780.html?r=RSS <p>It is strange to recall now that the manager who accompanied Southampton to the Championship was Harry Redknapp. Think back and you can remember him on that sweltering final day in May 2005, when a 2-1 home defeat by Manchester United confirmed Saints' fate. </p> Football League Sun, 04 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/pulis-loan-stars-can-help-stoke-reach-the-promised-land-820781.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/pulis-loan-stars-can-help-stoke-reach-the-promised-land-820781.html?r=RSS <p>The word is already out: the Championship is such a poor division that whichever teams are promoted, next season's Premier League could have three Derby Countys instead of one. </p> Football League Sun, 04 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/league-roundup-mcgugan-helps-to-send-forest-up-as-rovers-fall-at-last-820787.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/league-roundup-mcgugan-helps-to-send-forest-up-as-rovers-fall-at-last-820787.html?r=RSS <p>Nottingham Forest's late tilt at the top two in League One found another gear at the City Ground and a 3-2 defeat of Yeovil Town saw Colin Calderwood's side grab the second automatic promotion place and the direct route back to the Championship after three seasons in the third tier. But there was gloom in the south as Bournemouth and Gillingham were relegated to League Two.</p> Football League Sun, 04 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/going-up-and-coming-down-820415.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/going-up-and-coming-down-820415.html?r=RSS <p>Given Stoke City's last exposure to the top flight, when they were relegated with 17 points, a record low for a 42-match season, it might be imagined there is trepidation as well as anticipation in the Potteries. A point at home tomorrow, against relegation-haunted Leicester City, will return City to the elite and a possible repeat of the ignominy suffered in 1984-85, and by Derby County this season. There are, though, 60 million reasons why promotion is to be desired.</p> Football League Sat, 03 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/leeds-points-appeal-rejected-819612.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/leeds-points-appeal-rejected-819612.html?r=RSS <p>Leeds United failed in their bid to overturn a 15-point deduction yesterday, leaving them in the promotion play-off places in League One and confirming Swansea City as champions.</p> Football League Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/leeds-fail-in-bid-to-get-points-back-819408.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/leeds-fail-in-bid-to-get-points-back-819408.html?r=RSS <p> An independent tribunal has upheld the Football League's 15-point penalty imposed on Leeds at the start of the season. </p> Football League Thu, 01 May 2008 17:14:59 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/davies-has-no-regrets-despite-promotion-for-baggies-818611.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/davies-has-no-regrets-despite-promotion-for-baggies-818611.html?r=RSS <p>Curtis Davies insists he has no regrets about quitting West Bromwich Albion despite Tony Mowbray's side regaining their Premier League status. Central defender Davies will join Aston Villa on a permanent basis in a &pound;8m deal in the summer after an initial season on loan from the Baggies.</p> Football League Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/mowbray-reminds-me-of-sir-alex-ferguson-claims-greening-818615.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/mowbray-reminds-me-of-sir-alex-ferguson-claims-greening-818615.html?r=RSS <p>Jonathan Greening is confident West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Mowbray will remain at The Hawthorns after all but securing the club's return to the Premier League. And the club captain can see similarities between the former Hibernian manager and Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson.</p> Football League Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/west-brom-are-better-equipped-to-go-up-now-says-peace-817946.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/west-brom-are-better-equipped-to-go-up-now-says-peace-817946.html?r=RSS <p>Jeremy Peace, the West Bromwich Albion chairman, believes the club is better prepared for the Premier League than when they were last promoted to the top flight four years ago. The Baggies effectively clinched promotion by drawing 1-1 at home to Southampton courtesy of a late equalising goal from &pound;3m signing Chris Brunt.</p> Football League Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/mowbray-goes-in-search-of-gems-to-aid-albion-817947.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/mowbray-goes-in-search-of-gems-to-aid-albion-817947.html?r=RSS <p>West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Mowbray is aiming to unearth "some little gems" to add to the squad which has taken the club to the verge of promotion to the Premier League.</p> Football League Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/west-bromwich-albion-1-southampton-1-brunt-lifts-albion-to-premier-heights-817367.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/west-bromwich-albion-1-southampton-1-brunt-lifts-albion-to-premier-heights-817367.html?r=RSS <p>West Bromwich Albion last night celebrated a third promotion in seven seasons as Chris Brunt's late goal clawed a draw from the jaws of improbable defeat.</p> Football League Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/colchester-united-0-stoke-city-1-cresswell-puts-stoke-within-sight-of-top-flight-816680.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/colchester-united-0-stoke-city-1-cresswell-puts-stoke-within-sight-of-top-flight-816680.html?r=RSS <p>There was nostalgia and sentiment aplenty at Layer Road for this, Colchester United's last game at the stadium ahead of their move to a new home in the summer. However, it all seemed a little much for one Stoke City player after the game. "It was more like a village f&#234;te out there when we were trying to warm up before the game," he remarked. "It was a little off-putting." He had a point.</p> Football League Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/hull-city-2-crystal-palace-1-campbell-lends-hull-forward-momentum-816681.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/hull-city-2-crystal-palace-1-campbell-lends-hull-forward-momentum-816681.html?r=RSS <p>While predicting results in the Championship has proved practically impossible, there was a lingering feeling at the KC Stadium on Saturday that Hull City and Crystal Palace have not yet seen the last of each other this season.</p> Football League Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/sheffield-united-2-bristol-city-1-speed-keeps-blackwells-blades-in-the-hunt-for-promotion-816682.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/sheffield-united-2-bristol-city-1-speed-keeps-blackwells-blades-in-the-hunt-for-promotion-816682.html?r=RSS <p>Since Kevin Blackwell was installed as caretaker manager at Bramall Lane, the Blades have taken 27 points from 13 games. </p> Football League Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/watford-0-scunthorpe-united-1-boothroyd-determined-to-salvage-playoff-spot-816683.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/watford-0-scunthorpe-united-1-boothroyd-determined-to-salvage-playoff-spot-816683.html?r=RSS <p>If there is one thing you can depend on in the Championship it is that it will nearly always provide one more chance. At Vicarage Road relegated Scunthorpe out-played a Watford side who, despite one win in 13 games, remain in control of their own destiny.</p> Football League Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/championship-roundup-bulls-eye-a-higher-level-as-johnson-stings-the-bees-816171.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/championship-roundup-bulls-eye-a-higher-level-as-johnson-stings-the-bees-816171.html?r=RSS <p>On a day that promised to see many promotion and relegation issues settled, only Hereford of League Two were left celebrating. Their 3-0 win at Brentford, Gary Hooper, Theo Robinson and Simon Johnson scoring, and Stockport County's 2-1 defeat at Barnet saw the Bulls join champions Milton Keynes Dons and Peterborough United in taking a step up. For the rest, it means a tense final weekend to come.</p> Football League Sun, 27 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/leeds-case-must-lead-to-reform-of-rules-say-chairmen-816178.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/leeds-case-must-lead-to-reform-of-rules-say-chairmen-816178.html?r=RSS <p>Leeds' 1-0 victory over Yeovil on Friday guaranteed them a play-off place, but they are more anxious about the result of the Football Association's Arbitration Panel decision on Thursday. Victory there could secure Leeds an automatic promotion spot.</p> Football League Sun, 27 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/leicester-lead-scramble-for-survival-815900.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/leicester-lead-scramble-for-survival-815900.html?r=RSS <p> The scramble to avoid relegation from the Championship is as absorbing as the chase for promotion out of it, albeit ghoulishly so, like rubber-necking a car wreck. Scunthorpe United and Colchester United have gone, to no great surprise, but the odds are a big club will also drop. </p> Football League Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/mccarthy-turns-heat-on-playoff-contenders-814597.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/mccarthy-turns-heat-on-playoff-contenders-814597.html?r=RSS <p>Mick McCarthy has cranked up the pressure on the sides above his Wolverhampton Wanderers team by insisting their rivals could yet choke in the play-off race. Tuesday night's 3-0 victory over Cardiff moved his team into seventh in the Championship &ndash; just two points behind Crystal Palace and three adrift of Watford with two games to play.</p> Football League Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/wolverhampton-3-cardiff-city-0-kightly-breathes-life-into-wolves-pursuit-of-playoffs-814141.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/wolverhampton-3-cardiff-city-0-kightly-breathes-life-into-wolves-pursuit-of-playoffs-814141.html?r=RSS <p>Wolverhampton Wanderers' challenge for the play-offs is still alive after they overcame a tepid first-half performance to register their biggest Championship victory of the season.</p> Football League Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/stoke-city-2-bristol-city-1-pottermouths-clarion-call-heeded-by-sidibe-812695.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/stoke-city-2-bristol-city-1-pottermouths-clarion-call-heeded-by-sidibe-812695.html?r=RSS <p>It may have barely been audible over the Britannia Stadium PA system but "Pottermouth's battle cry" says it all about Stoke's push for the Premier League and can also serve as a useful guide to the feature writers who are likely to descend on the Potteries over the next couple of weeks.</p> Football League Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/norwich-city-1-west-bromwich-2-mowbrays-buccaneers-close-in-on-just-reward-812696.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/norwich-city-1-west-bromwich-2-mowbrays-buccaneers-close-in-on-just-reward-812696.html?r=RSS <p>Amidst the melee of this season's Championship somehow the class has managed to rise to the top as the division enters its endgame. West Bromwich Albion have lived with the tag "the Arsenal of the Championship" all season, but unlike the London club they have been able to deliver results when it matters most.</p> Football League Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/watford-0-crystal-palace-2-warnock-boys-become-men-for-playoff-charge-812697.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/watford-0-crystal-palace-2-warnock-boys-become-men-for-playoff-charge-812697.html?r=RSS <p>Enchanting yet enigmatic, an authentic sui generis, Neil Warnock has inspired another revolution &ndash; this time at Crystal Palace. Soon after he arrived as manager last October, Palace were 21 points behind Watford and in a state of transition. After the match on Saturday at Vicarage Road, where the allure of the characters eclipsed that of the football, Palace found themselves a point behind and gaining momentum.</p> Football League Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/sheffield-united-2-hull-city-0-blades-put-spoke-in-wheels-of-windass-bandwagon-812698.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/sheffield-united-2-hull-city-0-blades-put-spoke-in-wheels-of-windass-bandwagon-812698.html?r=RSS <p>Dean Windass back in the Premier League is an intriguing prospect, with the striker hardly the conventional image of your modern-day professional athlete, but no one will be pouring in any more effort than the portly Hull City talisman to make that dream a reality for the remaining two games of the season.</p> Football League Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/swansea-crowned-champions-despite-loss-to-yeovil-812699.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/swansea-crowned-champions-despite-loss-to-yeovil-812699.html?r=RSS <p>Swansea were crowned League One champions on Saturday despite suffering a second successive home defeat as Yeovil claimed a 2-1 win to end their relegation fears.</p> Football League Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/mk-dons-win-makes-promotion-a-certainty-812700.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/mk-dons-win-makes-promotion-a-certainty-812700.html?r=RSS <p>Keith Andrews, the League Two player of the year, scored the decisive goal for MK Dons in a 3-2 victory at Stockport which clinched a League Two automatic promotion place for Paul Ince's side. Stockport took the lead before Dons hit back a minute later through Mark Wright. Stockport went ahead again before Alan Navarro made it 2-2 and Andrews then stole the points for Ince's side when he smashed the ball home.</p> Football League Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/league-roundup-gera-the-hero-as-baggies-close-in-on-promised-land-812118.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/league-roundup-gera-the-hero-as-baggies-close-in-on-promised-land-812118.html?r=RSS <p>On a day when nerves at the top and bottom of the Championship appeared to get the better of contenders and strugglers alike, West Bromwich Albion emerged as the calmest. Their 2-1 win at Norwich City opened up a five-point lead over third-placed Hull City.</p> Football League Sun, 20 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/leeds-wait-for-verdict-that-may-decide-league-one-promotion-811832.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/leeds-wait-for-verdict-that-may-decide-league-one-promotion-811832.html?r=RSS <p>At this stage of the season the promotion and relegation issues are often complicated enough with fans taking calculators as well as radios to matches. In League One, however, the uncertainty principle applies to all computations as no one knows whether Leeds United's 15-point deduction is about to be confirmed, reduced or expunged. </p> Football League Sat, 19 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/wrexhams-date-with-nonleague-destiny-811833.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/wrexhams-date-with-nonleague-destiny-811833.html?r=RSS <p>After the euphoria of the Six Nations, Cardiff City's FA Cup final place and Swansea City's promotion, the quiet tragedy of Welsh sport may well reach its inevitable conclusion today.</p> Football League Sat, 19 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/anyones-race-top-of-the-league-811847.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/anyones-race-top-of-the-league-811847.html?r=RSS <p>Sky Blue Sam, Harry the Hornet, Baggie Bird, Pottermus Hippo, Scrumpy the Robin. These are, respectively, the mascots at Coventry City, Watford, West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City and Bristol City. They probably do a fine job, but a more appropriate motif for the Championship's various pacesetters this season would be Icarus. This season, every club who have taken flight towards the Premier League have melted in promotion's glare.</p> Football League Sat, 19 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100