Football League play-off finals recaps

The League Two play-off final was played between Newport County and Tranmere Rovers. Tranmere won the match in the 119th minute after a strike from Connor Jennings. Newport had to play extra time with 10 men after their captain Mark O’Brien got sent off in the 89th minute. It looked like the match was set for penalties until Tranmere got the last-minute goal. This means that they are back in League One after a 5-year absence, with three of those years being outside the football league. This is Tranmere ‘s second play-off win in two seasons.

The League One play-off final was between Sunderland and Sheffield United. Sunderland were looking to make a swift return to the Championship after one season in League One, whereas Charlton have been in League one for three seasons now. The match started terribly for Charlton as they conceded a tedious own goal when Sarr gave a back pass which was mis-controlled by the keeper and went in. Charlton got back into the game in the 35th minute though Purrington. The game looked set to go to extra time until Bauer got a 94th-minute dramatic winner to send Charlton back to the Championship.

The Championship play-off final was played between Aston Villa and Derby. Aston Villa were relegated from the Premier League in 2016, whereas Derby were looking to make it back to the top division for the first time in over a decade. The first half was tight with both teams not being able to break down the defense, until the 44th minute where El Ghazi got a goal for Aston Villa. In the second half, Villa came out and scored another goal to seemingly end the tie. However, in the 81st minute Derby got a goal back to give them slight hope. This was little too late though, and they were not able to get the equaliser and Aston Villa were promoted back to the Premier League.