Around One – Sorted at the top

Damian Francis - scored for promoted Norwich

Both sides celebrated yesterday afternoon with wins against teams at the other end of the table. Norwich won 2-1 at Watford with goals from Damian Francis and Leon McKenzie whilst Geoff Horsfield and Lee Hughes were the scorers as the Baggies beat already relegated BRBC 2-0 at the Hawthorns.

That means a battle for the play offs over the next two weeks. Sunderland’s place is no longer assured after they have collected just one point from their last four games but they remain favourites.

Ipswich are fourth but they too were beaten, going down 2-1 at home to Nottingham Forest. Not surprisingly David Johnson was on the scoresheet against his former club and got both Forest goals.

Directly behind Ipswich are West Ham and David Connolly and Marlon Harewood scored their goals in a 2-0 win at Stoke that was far more comfortable than the score suggests.

Manager Alan Pardew said, "We played well from front to back and got the result that we needed and deserved. We need to stay focused now and make sure we do the business at home next week, but we have been lifted by this game."

Wigan’s point at home to Sunderland sees them keep sixth place in the league and with Millwall losing again, they don’t seem to have bothered in the league for a few weeks, only Crystal Palace and Sheffield United look as though they might break in to those play off places.

Palace have never looked back since appointing Iain Dowie and another win leaves them behind West Ham and Wigan only on goal difference. Andy Johnson was amongst the goals again with all three in a 3-2 win at Crewe.

It would have been more comprehensive but for the most incredible of goalkeeping errors from Nico Vaesen who is now in action for his third club in Division One this season.

Jack Lester - condemned Walsall to defeat with a penalty

They are no favourites for the drop and if they drop any more points then the Clarets are 100% safe, are they really likely to win at Palace next week?

Won’t it be deserved if they go down, a club that ripped us off and then astonishingly sacked their manage in bizarre circumstances.

Gillingham had to come from behind to beat Franchise but they did and got themselves out of that dreaded 22^nd place although they are far from safe. And the Clarets could make life very difficult for Rotherham with a win at Millmoor next week.

They drew at Coventry but could still find themselves under pressure if they need a point at Walsall on the last day of the season.

Preston looked as though they were going to win too yesterday having found themselves a couple of goals to the good against Cardiff at Deepdale. The Weary Whinger was apparently left speechless when asked if he was feeling the pressure.

So it is congratulations to Norwich and West Brom, they have looked certain to go up for weeks, on a weekend that finally saw Burnley fans a little more relaxed. Hopefully in another week we will be able to relax completely.

There are no midweek fixtures but a full fixture list next weekend. The Friday game kicks off at 7:45 p.m. whilst the Saturday games kick off at 3:00 p.m. unless otherwise shown.

Sheffield United v Ipswich Town

BRBC v Stoke City
Cardiff City v Franchise
Crystal Palace v Walsall
Derby County v Millwall (5:35 p.m.)
Gillingham v Coventry City
Norwich City v Preston North End
Nottingham Forest v Wigan Athletic
Reading v West Bromwich Albion
Rotherham United v Burnley
Sunderland v Crewe Alexandra
West Ham United v Watford