Championship wrap: Southampton promoted

Southampton secured automatic promotion to the English Premier League on the final day of the Championship season on Saturday.

Nigel Adkins’ team recorded a comprehensive 4-0 win against relegated Coventry City at St Mary’s Stadium, which will see them in the top flight for the first time since 2004/05.

After making a nervous start, Southampton broke the deadlock in the 16th minute as Billy Sharp turned in a powerful drive from Adam Lallana.

Portuguese defender Jose Fonte got the second with a header from Danny Fox’s cross, before centre-back Jos Hooiveld made it 3-0 with a close-range effort on the hour-mark.

Lallana completed the scoring just four minutes later, netting his 13th goal of the campaign.

It left West Ham United to finish third, with Sam Allardyce’s team managing a 2-1 win at home to Hull City at Upton Park.

Carlton Cole netted goals either side of half-time before Corry Evans got on the scoresheet for the visiting Hull.

West Ham will face Cardiff City in the playoff semi-finals after the Welsh side wrapped up sixth spot with a come-from-behind 2-1 win at Crystal Palace.

Wilfried Zaha had given Palace a surprise 13th-minute lead at Selhurst Park, before Cardiff hit back through goals from Peter Whittingham and Don Cowie.

In the other playoff semi-final, Birmingham City will take on Blackpool.

Chris Hughton’s Birmingham were 2-0 winners at home to champions Reading, with Adam Rooney and Wade Elliott on the scoresheet.

Blackpool held onto fifth despite only managing a 2-2 draw at Millwall, who had Harry Kane score an 83rd-minute equaliser at The Den.

Middlesbrough finished seventh after suffering a 2-1 loss at Watford, while Leeds United went down 2-1 at home to Leicester City.

Relegated sides Portsmouth and Doncaster Rovers finished their campaigns with losses.

Dexter Blackstock’s brace saw Nottingham Forest to a 2-0 win at home to Portsmouth, while Rovers lost 3-2 at home to Ipswich Town.

Barnsley and Brighton and Hove Albion played out a scoreless draw, Peterborough United held Derby County to a 1-1 draw and Burnley and Bristol City drew 1-1.