Newcastle beat Barnsley to win the Championship and return to the English Premier League but the club’s grip on the title was only affirmative after Brighton conceded a late equalizer at Aston Villa.
Dr. Congo’s Chancel Mbemba’s was part of the goal scorers adding to Ayoze Perez’s flicked finish opening goal before Dwight Gayle added a third.
As it stood, the score line should have been a comfortable win for Newcastle but on the other end, a converted penalty had put league leaders Brighton in front at Villa Park.
But Jack Grealish’s 89th-minute equalizer for Aston Villa made all the difference, denying Brighton the Championship which instead went to Rafael Benitez’s side who finished with 1 point ahead.
Barnsley keeper Adam Davies was kept busy but his saves could not keep out the Championship hungry Newcastle side whose goals one of which came from a well-kept out attempt, was instead a perfect placement for Mbemba to smash home his first for the club.
said Benitez.
Britt Assombalonga (no. 9) scores a brace for Nottingham Forest. (Rex Features)
Meanwhile, in the table’s pit where clubs fight tooth and nail to avoid relegation, Congolese professional footballer, Britt Assombalonga’s 14th goal of the season gave Nottingham Forest a crucial 3-goal advantage as he grabbed a double in an emphatic win over Ipswich.
Assombalonga’s opening goal from a spot kick followed by an applauded individual effort after Chris Cohen’s deflected strike made it 2-0, ensured Forest’s safety and dropped relegation rivals, Blackburn out of the Championship.
There was a spectacle of relief as thousands of fans stormed onto the pitch in celebration but the frustration and pain following a terrible season campaign was equally evident.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”… In the end, it’s brilliant, it’s like Nottingham Forest have won the league. The scenes have been brilliant. It was either going to be a wake or a celebration and up until they scored the penalty it could have been a wake. But good for them, good for Mark Warburton,”[/perfectpullquote]
Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy said.
Featured photo: Rex Features
