The second Championship semi-final second leg took place at Elland Road this Wednesday evening and provided another dramatic outcome with visitors Derby County overturning the one goal lead secured by their hosts Leeds United at Pride Park on Saturday afternoon and also conceding an early goal this evening to emerge victorious by four goals to two on the night and four three on aggregate. Captain Richard Keogh may have been a little culpable for the concession of the opening goal but his surging run and superb pass created the final and winning goal for the ‘Rams’. Eighteen year old midfielder Jason Knight was an unexpected inclusion on the Derby County bench.
The first Championship semi-final play-off was resolved this Tuesday evening when Aston Villa secured their passage to the Wembley play-off Final with a four three penalty shoot-out victory over West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns. Villa held a two one first leg advantage but despite dominating the majority of the first half exchanges they conceded a much disputed but essentially soft goal on twenty nine minutes which levelled the tie. Extra-time and the dismissal of the ‘Baggies’ captain brought no further goals so the contest went to a penalty shoot-out. The visitors prevailed by four goals to three with Saturday goalscorer Conor Hourihane converting the opening Villa penalty. Hourihane had a fine game in the holding midfield role while fellow midfielder Glenn Whelan was unused on the substitute bench.