As the domestic season begins to draw to a close, football clubs across the country start to seal their fate ahead of the 2021/22 season.
Norwich City secured their return to the Premier League, as Watford were defeated by Luton Town 1-0. Meanwhile, Sheffield United lost 1-0 falling to the hands of Wolves as they had their 2021/22 Championship status confirmed.
Hull City edged ever closer to an automatic promotion position up into the Championship as the Tigers roared past Fleetwood Town 2-1.
The season is sizzling, and the stakes have never been higher; here is StoryHub’s preliminary winners and losers.
Sheffield United – Loser
Sheffield United’s Premier League dreams were reignited in late January when Chris Wilder famously led the Blades to a 2-1 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.
However, since then the Blades have picked up just three points whilst also throwing Wilder overboard in a bid to reinvigorate their form.
Photo by Jake Stokes.
The South Yorkshire side finally learned their fate losing 1-0 to Wolves; the club’s 26th Premier League loss of the season.
Norwich City – Winner
The Canaries have sealed their third promotion in ten years from the Championship into the top-flight.
🔥 𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗗! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/KVFTziVyKV
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) April 17, 2021
With an abundance of promising talent, Daniel Farke will be looking to hold onto his key men in a bid to retain their Premier League status having failed to do so in their last two attempts.
Swansea – Loser
Swansea looked as if they were destined to go toe-to-toe for an automatic promotion place, however, Steve Cooper’s side fell short once again as they drew 2-2 with bottom of the table Wycombe Wanderers.
Photo by Rob Sills.
After recent losses to the likes of 17th placed Preston North End, relegation-threatened Birmingham City and rivals Cardiff City, the Swans have lost the wind from their wings as they weather their free-fall descent into the play-offs.
Hull City – Winner
Gone were the days of Hull City playing in the Premier League. However, the Tigers are pouncing in the right direction as they scale the football pyramid once more.
Hull City sit top of League One after a 2-1 win over Fleetwood Town and three points adrift of second placed Peterborough United who have a game in hand.
The Tigers are guaranteed a shot at promotion, whether that is through the play-offs or automatically.
Fulham – Loser
Scott Parker seemed to have reignited a Premier League survival mission having beaten Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield. Since then, Fulham have picked up just one point leaving the West London side in a bleak position.
In their latest outing, they conceded a 97th minute equaliser against Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, denying Parker’s side of hard-fought win.
https://www.facebook.com/Arsenal/videos/182253650294776/
The Cottagers looked like the most likely to survive the Premier League’s annual culling with inspired performances from Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Ademola Lookman and Ola Aina. But, unfortunately for Parker, their best was not enough.
