Sheffield United clinched promotion to the Premier League with a 2-0 win over West Bromwich Albion at Bramall Lane.

Second-half goals from Sander Berge and Anel Ahmedhodzic gave the Blades the victory they needed to claim automatic promotion.

Two years and nine days after they were relegated, the Blades sealed their return to the top flight with three games remaining. With Burnley claiming the title the night before, United knew that three points would be enough to get them over the line.

The Blades are BACK!! ✊? pic.twitter.com/U3ngPmUXyt

— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) April 26, 2023

Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom made three changes to the team that lost 3-0 to Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final, with Tommy Doyle, James McAtee and Oli McBurnie coming in.

West Brom manager Carlos Corberan made just the one switch from the 2-1 defeat at home to Sunderland, with Taylor Gardner-Hickman joining the starting XI.

The first chance fell to the away side when Jed Wallace’s cross from the right was met by Karlan Grant but the striker got his header all wrong.

At the other end, Berge had a go from distance but his effort sailed harmlessly over.

Wes Foderingham got down well to save Grant’s effort from the edge of the box before Eric Pieters was booked for a dangerous challenge. Next, Jack Robinson’s shot was gathered comfortably by Alex Palmer.

Wallace was causing more problems down the right but Gardner-Hickman saw his acrobatic effort saved. Iliman Ndiaye then had a penalty appeal waved away in the last action of the half.

The home side dominated the second half and they had lift-off in the 58th minute. United disposed the West Brom defence and after Ndiaye squared the ball to Berge, the Norwegian midfielder could not miss.

The Blades had several penalty shouts turned down as they ramped up the pressure in search of a second and they should have doubled their lead when Berge crossed into John Egan, but he placed his header wide.

Anel Ahmedhodžić makes it two with a exceptional finish! ❤️?pic.twitter.com/x6JtmT3xXL

— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) April 26, 2023

United made the points safe in the 76th minute when George Baldock’s volley was turned in brilliantly by defender Ahmedhodzic.

From that point, West Brom struggled to offer anything going forward and it was party time for the home crowd, who can look forward to butting heads with English football’s elite next season.

The Baggies remain in ninth and two points off the play-off places.

Champions Manchester City produced a stunning performance to seize complete control of the Premier League title race with a devastating 4-1 win over leaders Arsenal.

Kevin De Bruyne struck twice with John Stones and Erling Haaland also on the scoresheet at the Etihad Stadium as City delivered a potentially decisive blow to the Gunners’ hopes of lifting the crown.

Arsenal claimed a late reply through Rob Holding but treble-chasing City had long since asserted their dominance and Haaland wrapped up the contest with his 49th goal of the season in stoppage time.

The result lifted Pep Guardiola’s men to within two points of the Londoners at the top of the table and, with two games in hand, they are now strong favourites to land their fifth title in six years.

Arsenal and their manager Mikel Arteta simply had no answer to the pace, strength and determination of the hosts, who were at their ruthless best and powered to their 12th win in their last 13 games in all competitions.

Manchester City took the Premier League title race into their own hands with a 4-1 demolition job of leaders Arsenal on Wednesday.

Three straight draws saw Arsenal hand City the initiative before the Gunners' trip to the Etihad Stadium, and Pep Guardiola's side showed little mercy in a stunning display of dominance.

Kevin De Bruyne came to the fore, scoring either side of John Stones' header, which City's playmaker teed up.

Rob Holding snatched a consolation late on, but Erling Haaland ensured he had the last word with a goal that saw him break the record for goals in a 38-game Premier League season, as City made their point.

City were convinced they should have had a penalty inside three minutes, yet De Bruyne was adjudged to have fouled Thomas Partey after Aaron Ramsdale fumbled Jack Grealish's cross.

De Bruyne was wheeling away in celebration soon after, though. Having latched onto Haaland's superb touch, the Belgian beat Ramsdale with a sublime finish into the bottom-right corner. 

White and Ramsdale denied De Bruyne and Haaland respectively as City hunted a second, before the latter drilled wide at the end of a menacing run.

Ramsdale thwarted Haaland again, but Arsenal's resolve was punctured for a second time on the stroke of the interval – Stones heading home from De Bruyne's pinpoint free-kick, with the goal awarded after a VAR check on the linesman's offside call.

Haaland's battle with Ramsdale continued after the break, and Arsenal's goalkeeper again came out on top with a superb one-on-one save.

But Haaland turned provider for City's third in the 54th minute, playing a slick one-two with De Bruyne, whose crisp finish flashed beyond Ramsdale.

Partey lashing out at Grealish's taunts was as close as Arsenal came to laying a glove on City before Holding curled home with four minutes remaining.

Haaland, though, got his goal with the final kick of the game, as City emphatically took matters into their own hands.

Sheffield United have been promoted to the Premier League after beating West Brom.

The 2-0 victory at Bramall Lane sees them join Burnley in the automatic promotion spots in the Championship, returning to the top flight after two seasons away.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at some of their key players.

Even better in slow motion. ?

Goal No.14 for @iliman_ndiaye. ??? pic.twitter.com/s5HSnY31KM

— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) April 17, 2023

The 23-year-old was playing at non-league Boreham Wood when the Blades brought him to the club in 2019 and he has enjoyed his breakthrough season. He is the club’s top scorer with 13 league goals and added eight assists. His ability to beat players and get out of tight situations has made him one of the most entertaining strikers to watch this season and saw Everton try and sign him in the January transfer window.

A post shared by Sheffield United (@sheffieldunited)

Big things are expected of the Manchester City loanee by his parent club and a brilliant spell at Bramall Lane shows he is on the right track. With his twinkle toes and his ability to spot a pass, McAtee has been one of United’s main attacking threats, both from the off and when he has come on from the bench.

? Presenting the #SkyBetChampionship Team of the Season! ?

? Follow live: https://t.co/dmfvaztspZ#EFL | #EFLAwards

— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) April 23, 2023

The Sweden turned Bosnia international signed from Malmo last summer and has been one of the club’s best signings in recent years. The defender, who has played right side of a three-man defence, is physical and strong and has been a threat when asked to bomb forward.

Berge is a Rolls-Royce of a midfielder, never looking like he breaks sweat and so calm and composed in possession. The Norway international’s exceptionally large frame has provided the physical presence in the middle of the park. He is definitely one player who is ready-made for the Premier League.

Clean sheet Wes! ?

A 15th clean sheet of the season for our goalkeeper, @wes_foderingham! ? pic.twitter.com/86PSBJeigk

— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) April 1, 2023

Despite two red cards, Foderingham has been a solid and reassuring presence in goal. Given the Blades’ dominance in the majority of games, he has never been too busy but his handling, commandment of the area and distribution have all been a key factor in their success.

Chelsea sunk to yet another dispiriting home defeat as Brentford inflicted a fifth consecutive loss on Frank Lampard with a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge.

The visitors led through Cesar Azpilicueta’s first-half own goal when substitute Bryan Mbeumo ran half the length of the pitch, unchallenged by anybody in blue, to slam home and condemn the hosts to a sixth winless game in a row on this ground.

The numbers are worthy of the crisis in which Chelsea find themselves. The team have scored one goal in their last seven games, and are winless in eight.

West London is ? pic.twitter.com/VEoUKNlGST

— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) April 26, 2023

Such have Chelsea’s ambitions receded that a top-half finish in the Premier League from this point would rank as a success, but even that abridged, constricted dream appears vanishingly unlikely after this.

Brentford did not need to be spectacular, merely to wait patiently whilst Chelsea passed the ball about aimlessly in front of them, then take their only two chances of the match when they came.

Chelsea began sluggishly and only got worse. Ben Chilwell drew perhaps the only ripple of anticipation from around Stamford Bridge during the first half with a powerful burst down the left, taking the ball on after a clever first-time pass from Conor Gallagher.

His low cross was intercepted, and the only sniff of attacking intent from either side inside the first 20 minutes evaporated without threat.

FT: Chelsea 0-2 Brentford

Brentford own West London tonight ?⚪️ pic.twitter.com/pZKA1sebOj

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 26, 2023

Brentford had not won in six games, Chelsea not in seven, and so it was not a surprise to find both teams short on ideas of how to break the other down.

N’Golo Kante, again playing in an advanced midfield role alongside Gallagher, appeared on the right touchline as Chelsea sought a way through, bending over an inviting cross.

Up from the back and free inside the box was Thiago Silva, but his header into the ground lacked power, finding only the gloves of David Raya.

The first genuine test for the Brentford goalkeeper came on the half-hour mark, Kante controlling the ball inside the box from Wesley Fofana’s cut-back and laying it off for Enzo Fernandez. The World Cup-winner, still in search of his first goal since his record-breaking move to Stamford Bridge, shot too close to Raya who tipped it behind.

Azpilicueta had not played since being knocked unconscious during the win here against Leeds at the start of March, and so it was cruel on the Chelsea captain that it was off his shin that Brentford took the lead.

Things keep getting worse for Chelsea ?

César Azpilicueta puts it into his own net right before halftime… pic.twitter.com/pol87WRQuI

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 26, 2023

Mathias Jensen’s corner got a flick from Mathias Jorgensen, and Azpilicueta knew little about it as the ball deflected off him and bounced past Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Not for the first time this season, Chelsea were booed off at the break. It will not be the last if performances continue in this vein.

Lampard’s predicament was encapsulated by the sight of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, frozen out under successive managers, emerging from the bench for the second half, and his introduction seemed to inject signs of life into Chelsea’s attack, a goalscorer at last amidst its ranks.

Kante went as close as anybody for the home side when he flashed a shot inches wide from an angle just after the restart, before Aubameyang showed good footwork to make space for a strike that was straight at Raya.

The striker looked desperate to make up for all those months lost sitting on the bench, if he made the squad at all. When Raheem Sterling nodded a far-post cross back across goal, his moment looked to have arrived, but as the goalkeeper flapped, Aubameyang’s header flew into the air and down onto the roof of the net.

Then the killer blow. Mbeumo was barely inside the Chelsea half when he picked up the ball, and hardly challenged as he advanced upfield and into the box. A limp leg dangled in his path by Fofana did little to impede his march, and Mbeumo crashed it left-footed inside the near post to bury Chelsea.

‘West London is ours’ sang the jubilant away support as their home counterparts streamed for the exit. The end of this wretched season cannot come quickly enough.

Nottingham Forest gave their Premier League survival hopes a much-needed shot in the arm after beating Brighton 3-1 at the City Ground.

Forest were on a seemingly irreversible slide back to the Championship after a horror run of 11 games without a win going back to February, but they stopped the rot and moved out of the bottom three.

Another defeat had been on the cards after the Seagulls went ahead through Facundo Buonanotte’s goal on his first Premier League start after Brennan Johnson had missed an early penalty for Forest.

But an own goal by Pascal Gross on the stroke of half-time followed by second-half efforts from Danilo and Morgan Gibbs-White gave them a vital win.

This will renew belief that they can avoid the drop in their first season in the top flight in 23 years and also probably ends any lingering doubts over Steve Cooper’s future.

Brighton were looking to bounce back from the heart-breaking FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester United, but this loss hurt their European ambitions as they dropped to eighth, but they do have games in hand on the teams above them.

With their exertions on Sunday at Wembley, Forest sniffed an opportunity and they started brightly in the hope of catching their visitors cold.

They forged the perfect chance to get the advantage they needed when they were awarded an early penalty after Pervis Estupinan clumsily fouled Neco Williams.

Jason Steele was on the bench for Brighton at Wembley and watched on as Robert Sanchez failed to save any United penalties in the shoot-out and he showed his team-mate how it was done, beating away Johnson’s effort in the 10th minute.

There was a sense that Forest really needed that to go in as Brighton began to take control.

Kaoru Mitoma was a constant threat and he almost created an opener as he skinned Serge Aurier and Felipe down the left and teed up Julio Enciso, whose shot was spectacularly tipped over the crossbar by Keylor Navas.

Forest had struggled to recreate that early energy, yet they had another brilliant opportunity to go ahead in the 32nd minute when Danilo sent Johnson clear on goal but, under a challenge from Lewis Dunk, the Wales international put his shot wide.

There was no way that Forest were going to get away with missing two such golden opportunities and Brighton went ahead five minutes later.

They had Navas to thank as a double blunder allowed Buonanotte to enjoy the perfect full league debut.

The Chilean goalkeeper’s poor goal-kick handed possession straight back to the visitors and then he could only palm out Solly March’s shot into the danger area, giving the 18-year-old the easiest of tap-ins.

But to their credit, Forest kept going and crucially got themselves level deep into first-half stoppage time.

A nice move saw Taiwo Awoniyi set up Renan Lodi on the left and his cross was turned in by Gross at the near post, with Steele only able to get a hand on it.

To go into the break level was huge for Forest, though they almost fell behind just before the hour as Brighton sliced them open on the counter attack.

Buonanotte was sent clear and he cleverly held onto possession before slipping in Mitoma, who put his first-time effort agonisingly wide.

A lengthy delay after a nasty injury to Williams, who was carried off on a stretcher after clashing with Johnson, seemed to change the atmosphere in the City Ground and the lid was lifted off in the 69th minute as Forest took the lead.

Danilo did well to close down Moses Caicedo on the halfway line and then raced on to Awoniyi’s pass before slotting into the far corner to send the home fans wild.

Gibbs-White had the chance to make it a more comfortable final 20 minutes, but he shot over from the edge of the area and Forest had some defending to do.

But any nerves were settled in stoppage time as they were awarded another penalty after VAR spotted a handball by Dunk from a corner and Gibbs-White did what Johnson failed to do by sending Steele the wrong way.

Joel Matip’s towering header saw Liverpool come from behind to beat West Ham 2-1 and pick up a third straight win.

The Hammers led through a wonder strike from Lucas Paqueta but were pegged back by Cody Gakpo’s drive.

And moments after Jarrod Bowen had a goal disallowed for offside, Matip struck from a corner to halt West Ham’s recent revival.

Three points on the road ? pic.twitter.com/pdzz0ZWecI

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 26, 2023

West Ham were convinced they should have had a late penalty when Thiago’s arm hit the ball as he fell in the area, but despite a VAR check nothing was given.

The Hammers went into the match buoyed by a profitable week which saw them come from behind to draw 2-2 with Arsenal, reach the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League and climb further away from the relegation zone with a thumping 4-0 win at Bournemouth.

And manager David Moyes, who turned 60 on Tuesday, was celebrating again when his side took the lead with a goal of real quality from Paqueta after 12 minutes.

3 goals in 3 games ?

Lucas Paquetá fires West Ham into the lead against Liverpool ?? pic.twitter.com/YxrwF6fhxE

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 26, 2023

The Brazilian twice exchanged passes with Michail Antonio as he cut in from the right before launching a rocket from the edge of the box past his international team-mate Alisson.

Paqueta has taken a painfully long time to get up to speed since his record £50million switch from Lyon to east London last summer.

But it was a third goal in three matches for the 25-year-old who is now finally starting to look the part in claret and blue.

However, the lead lasted only five minutes before Trent Alexander-Arnold, gliding around in central midfield again, found Gakpo 25 yards out.

The Dutch forward was able to take a few touches and weigh up his options before deciding on a low shot which skidded past Lukasz Fabianksi into the corner of the net.

Liverpool weren't behind for long as Cody Gakpo's long-range strike draws them level ? pic.twitter.com/YGcuyDb891

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 26, 2023

Liverpool should have gone ahead when the ball dropped to Diogo Jota eight yards out but the Portuguese forward shinned his volley over the crossbar.

Jota, who scored four goals in his previous two matches, then planted a header wastefully wide.

But West Ham remained a threat and just before half-time Virgil van Dijk got a crucial touch to prevent Antonio from converting Said Benrahma’s cross at the far post.

The hosts thought they had gone back in front when Bowen raced on to Paqueta’s through ball, cut inside Van Dijk and fired into the corner, but a VAR check showed the winger was marginally offside.

Instead Liverpool snatched the lead in the 67th minute after Fabianski saved a point-blank shot from Matip.

The defender stayed up for the ensuing corner and duly powered his header from Andy Robertson’s cross past Fabianski.

West Ham pushed for an equaliser but Maxwel Cornet blazed wide and Tomas Soucek header over.

Moyes protested furiously to the fourth official after Thiago’s slip in the area but Liverpool survived to climb above Tottenham into sixth.

Joel and Avram Glazer could remain stakeholders at Manchester United under a deal being proposed by prospective new owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, according to reports.

British businessman Ratcliffe, founder and chairman of the INEOS Group, is among those to have expressed an interest in buying the Premier League club.

It has been reported that one of the options on the table for the American owners would see Ratcliffe take a controlling stake of more than 50 per cent, with the two Glazers retaining a combined 20 per cent.

Such a deal would not be welcomed by large sections of United’s support who have campaigned for the Glazers – whose leveraged buyout in 2005 plunged the club into huge debt – to quit Old Trafford.

American bank the Raine Group are facilitating the sale of the club, with Friday being the deadline for third bids to be submitted.

The Glazer family are considering either selling the club or bringing in external investment after announcing last November they were seeking “strategic alternatives”.

As well as Ratcliffe, a Qatari consortium – led by Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani – and Finnish businessman Thomas Zilliacus have gone public in their ambition to complete a full takeover.

One other group known to be involved is American hedge fund Elliott Investment, which has made an offer for a minority stake, but it is unknown how many parties have entered the process.

It has been reported the Glazers value the club at £6billion.

Emma Hayes insists her Chelsea side are as ready as they can be to spring a Women’s Champions League surprise over Barcelona.

The Catalan club are enjoying a perfect Liga F campaign, winning all 25 of their games, and hold a narrow 1-0 lead in their semi-final tie with Chelsea after victory at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Regarded as one of the best women’s teams in Europe, Barcelona will be favourites to finish the job in front of a crowd of over 65,000 at the Nou Camp, with either Arsenal or Wolfsburg to come in the final.

Hayes, though, has backed her side to give their all against an opponent who beat Chelsea 4-0 in the Champions League final two years ago.

“Nobody denies they are a fabulous team with an amazing history, particularly here,” the Chelsea boss told reporters in Spain on the eve of the clash.

“We have to accept that we will suffer more against Barcelona than anyone else. But we showed in the previous game we can defend.

“We will have to do that at an even higher level and the execution from us with the football has to be better. It’s a football match. The game is 1-0. We have a fair and equal chance.

“This is a strength of our team. We are built to cope with the challenges. We like to suffer. We’re as prepared as we possibly can be.

“I have said it time and time again, we have a dressing room of players that want to be in this position. We will give it everything we have got.

“We’re looking forward to playing at this magnificent stadium. At 1-0 there is no doubt, with their history here, we have to be at our very best.”

England forward Fran Kirby has travelled with the squad despite being out with a knee injury that could yet see her miss the World Cup.

“Fran wanted to come with the team,” added Hayes.

“She’s part of the team. (It is) great to have her with us. At this moment in time I don’t have any more updates.

“She has been on the grass a little bit but we are having to manage day by day what that looks like and I don’t have a timeline for her return.”

Stan Wawrinka recovered from a set behind to overcome Maxime Cressy and set up a second-round showdown with Andrey Rublev at the Madrid Open.

Three-time grand slam winner Wawrinka, who is the oldest player in the main draw, hit back in the Spanish capital to progress 6-7 (7-3) 6-3 7-6 (7-4).

The 38-year-old won 46 of 54 first-serve points and now has a couple of days to recover before facing fifth seed Rublev, who was handed a bye to the last 32.

Roberto Carballes Baena is also through after defeating David Goffin 6-4 6-4, with Alexander Zverev up next, while Alex Molcan saw off Wu Yibing 6-2 6-4.

There was a shock elsewhere on Wednesday as Diego Schwartzman was downed in straight sets by Hugo Grenier.

Chelsea's Mason Mount is "feeling good" after undergoing surgery on a pelvic issue that threatens to sideline him for the remainder of the season.

Mount has endured a frustrating few months, with six of his last seven appearances coming from the bench – including all three of his outings since Frank Lampard returned to Stamford Bridge as caretaker manager.

The England international has made 20 Premier League starts this term but only managed three goals and two assists during a season of upheaval for Chelsea.

On Tuesday, Lampard said Mount could face four weeks on the sidelines after being troubled by a pelvic issue, which required him to undergo minor surgery. 

Mount's Chelsea contract expires in 2024, and with fresh terms yet to be agreed, the 24-year-old has been touted as a potential transfer target for Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United.

With Chelsea concluding their Premier League campaign against Newcastle United on May 28, Mount's injury setback has led to suggestions he may have played his final game for the club.

The midfielder, however, hopes to return in the coming weeks, writing on Instagram: "Had a minor procedure yesterday to sort out a discomfort I had for a while. 

"Everything went well and I'm feeling good. Time to rest but can't wait to get back to training in the coming weeks! 

"Thanks for all your messages of support and a massive thank you to the medical team, doctors and nurses for looking after me."

Erling Haaland's goalscoring feats are comparable to those of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, according to Bernardo Silva, who believes his Manchester City team-mate shares the former's hunger for goals.

Haaland has led City's push for a Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup treble this season, scoring at a remarkable rate since his arrival from Borussia Dortmund last year.

The Norwegian has hit 48 goals in 42 appearances across all competitions this campaign – already a record tally for a player representing a Premier League club. 

Haaland has averaged a goal every 67.2 minutes and converted 58.6 per cent of his Opta-defined big chances for City, leaving Silva to compare his mentality to that of his Portugal colleague Ronaldo.

"The goal figures, it's unbelievable. It's Cristiano and Messi level, that amount of goals," Silva told Arab News.

"Hopefully Erling can keep going that way because we need his goals until the last game of the season.

"He has definitely got the same mentality as Cristiano, always wanting to be in the box, always wanting to score. 

"He doesn't care if he touches the ball one or two times, when he touches it, he scores. He's just a proper striker."

Haaland's total of 54 goal contributions is the best of anyone playing in Europe's top five leagues this season, with Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe second with 42 (34 goals, eight assists).

With Ronaldo's move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr likely signalling the end of his era-defining rivalry with Messi, Silva was asked whether Haaland and Mbappe could be the protagonists of a similar struggle in the future.

"Probably, yes," Silva said. "You have a few players apart from them who are doing very well, like Vinicius [Junior] as well. But it's true, those two are very young and doing very well.

"Kylian is more of a dribbler with the ball and Haaland is mainly inside the box like a proper striker, but both are very, very good at what they do. 

"It's not going to be easy to match the level that Cristiano and Messi did, but they are up there at the top."