Sheff Utd edge closer to Premier League, Burnley on verge of promotion

Sheffield United edged closer to a Premier League return with a 1-0 win over Wigan, while Burnley can secure promotion from the Championship with a win at Middlesbrough later on Friday.

Third-placed Luton's 0-0 draw at Millwall means Burnley can go 19 points clear in the automatic promotion places with just six games remaining for the chasing pack.

Sheffield United now have an eight-point cushion in second and a game in hand after Iliman Ndiaye scored the only goal against bottom-of-the-table Wigan at Bramall Lane.

Luton extended their unbeaten run to eight games at The Den, but a stalemate with fifth-placed Millwall did little to help either side's promotion chances.

Norwich closed to within one point of the playoff places as goals from Liam Gibbs and Gabriel Sara beat Blackburn 2-0 at Ewood Park.

Preston are only a point behind the Canaries after a 2-0 win at struggling QPR, who are just one point above the relegation zone after a fourth consecutive defeat.

West Brom's hopes of finishing in the top six are fading, though, after they were beaten 3-1 at Rotherham.

At the other end of the table, Neil Warnock's resurgent Huddersfield won 3-2 at Watford to climb out of the relegation zone.

Cardiff pulled one point clear of the drop zone after a 3-1 win at second-bottom Blackpool, who are now seven points adrift of safety.

Reading, who were docked six points this week for breach of the English Football League's financial rules, drop into the bottom three after a 1-1 draw with Birmingham.

kca/ea

© Agence France-Presse