Championship wrap: Burton Albion beat Birmingham to end Gianfranco Zola's miserable reign
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Gianfranco Zola's miserable stint as Birmingham manager is over after he resigned following the Blues' home loss to Burton Albion on Easter Monday.
Zola quit as boss with Birmingham just three points clear of the Championship relegation zone following a run of just two wins in 22 league games since he replaced Gary Rowett last December.
Burton's 2-0 triumph came courtesy of goals from Lloyd Dyer and Lucas Akins and they are now one point ahead of Birmingham with just three games to play.
At the top of the table Brighton effectively sealed promotion to the Premier League and increased their lead at the top of the table to seven points with a 2-1 win over Wigan at a jubilant Amex Stadium.
Only a mathematical rubber stamp is now required to confirm their elevation to the top tier and the squad conducted an impromptu party on the pitch at full-time.
(Photo: PA)
(Photo: Getty Images Europe)
Glenn Murray opened the scoring for Chris Hughton's side eight minutes before half-time, his 22nd goal of the campaign and fifth in as many games at the Amex Stadium.
England Under-21 international Solly March ensured the celebrations could continue in earnest when he converted Anthony Knockaert's cutback and a late goal from substitute Nick Powell could not change the picture.
Newcastle, league leaders for so long, slipped to seven points behind the Seagulls as they took their winless run to three matches with a 3-1 reverse at Ipswich.
Freddie Sears put the hosts ahead just before half-time, but when former Tractor Boy Daryl Murphy levelled in the second half the Magpies had a chance to switch their fortunes.
Instead they conceded twice more, David McGoldrick and Emyr Huws the scorers.
(Photo: Rex Features)
Leeds' hopes of returning to the top flight after 13 years away were dealt a major blow as they were beaten at home by 16th-placed Wolves.
Nouha Dicko's 38th-minute goal for the visitors ensured Leeds, who started the day in fifth place, ended it in seventh after wins for fellow play-off chasers Sheffield Wednesday and Fulham.
Reading also won to move up to third, temporarily at least, ahead of Huddersfield's late game against Derby.
Reading went behind to relegated Rotherham, Tom Adeyemi on target, but hit back in the second half.
First Lewis Grabban then John Swift beat Richard O'Donnell to seal the points with a 2-1 win.
(Photo: Getty Images Europe)
(Photo: Get Reading)
Wednesday won by the same margin at QPR, Adam Reach and and Daniel Pudil notching either side of Idrissa Sylla's equaliser.
Fulham enjoyed a straightforward outing at home to Aston Villa, who slumped 3-1 after playing 68 minutes with 10 men.
Ryan Sessegnon gave the Cottagers the lead after hitting the crossbar and, although Jack Grealish restored parity following Jonathan Kodija's red card, the result never seemed in doubt.
Sone Aluko and Neeskens Kebano settled matters as the numerical disadvantage came to bear in the second period.
(Photo: Action Plus via Getty Images)
(Photo: Rex Features)
All of that spelled bad news for Garry Monk's Leeds, who now face a fight to get finish in the top six and secure a play-off spot.
Elsewhere Blackburn salvaged a draw from Bristol City's trip to Ewood Park, Sam Gallagher cancelling out Tammy Abraham's effort, but they remain third bottom and deep in trouble.
Norwich defeated Preston 3-1 at Deepdale, but neither side can now hope to crack the play-offs.
Graham Dorrans and Josh Murphy gave the Canaries a first-half cushion before Tommy Spurr and James Maddison traded strikes.
Aron Gunnarsson gave Cardiff a 1-0 win over struggling Nottingham Forest and Brentford drew 1-1 at Barnsley as Florian Jozefzoon and Marley Watkins scored.
Championship results, April 17, 2017