Brighton effectively sealed promotion to the Premier League and increased their lead at the top of the English Championship to seven points with a 2-1 win over Wigan at a jubilant Amex Stadium.
And when Hudderfsield Town side shipped a late goal to be held 1-1 by Derby County, Brighton’s move to the top flight for the first time since 1982-83 was assured.
Now their manager Chris Hughton has challenged his players to go on with it and win the Championship.
“One thing we spoke about afterwards is it’s a wonderful achievement, particularly after last season, to get promotion. That’s the first thing,” Hughton said.
“But what these lads want to do – whenever it is, two years’ time, three years, 10, 20 years’ time – is they want to be able to say they won the division and went up as champions.
“That will add something to all of their CVs, all of their thoughts when they’re looking back. We’ve put ourselves in a good position to attempt to do it.”
Glenn Murray opened the scoring for 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 loss at Ipswich.
Freddie Sears put the hosts ahead just before halftime, 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.
Fortunately for Newcastle, Huddersfield Town failed to close the gap to them and sit fourth with a game in hand on Newcastle and Reading.
Huddersfield had gone ahead early thanks to Collin Quaner’s second goal in as many games but were brought back to earth in the 88th minute when Jacob Butterfield slotted a goal from outside the area.
In the remainder of the playoff picture wins for Reading, Sheffield Wednesday and Fulham saw Leeds edged out of the top six.
Reading went behind to relegated Rotherham, Tom Adeyemi on target, but hit back in the second half for a 2-1 win.
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 a at home to Aston Villa, who slumped 3-1 after playing 68 minutes with 10 men.
