£3m Newcastle talent saves his best for Sunderland as Mackems learn play-off opponents

A Newcastle loanee had a crucial contribution to stretch Sunderland’s losing streak to five and ensured the Mackems have no momentum coming into the play-offs.

Sunderland were already guaranteed to finish fourth on the final day of a Championship season on Saturday, which was full of drama at both ends as Leeds clinched the title in dramatic style, Coventry made the play-offs and Luton suffered back-to-back relegations.

Regis Le Bris’ side have won just two of their last ten and a lad contracted to the Toon ensured a final day defeat, doing little to lift spirits on Wearside ahead of their play-off semi-final clash with Frank Lampard's Coventry this Friday. 

Ashby assists more Mackem misery

Newcastle United loanee Harrison Ashby secured his first goal contribution of his spell with QPR over the weekend, saving one of his best displays of 2024/25 for a final day victory at an out of sorts Sunderland.

The 23-year-old ended his loan spell with Queen’s Park Rangers, starting alongside ex-Mag Jack Colback, with a crucial assist for Nicolas Madsen against Sunderland to help his side finish 15th following a 1-0 win.

Watch it below , seeing Ashby burst past his man before firing in a low cross:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11TPo0UqyDU&ab_channel=SkySportsFootball

Ashby arrived on Tyneside for around £3m from West Ham United in January 2023 and has subsequently been sent on loan to Swansea City and QPR; where he's had a mixed time based on the comments we've seen from Hoops fans.

Crazy ending to Championship campaign

Leeds’ Manor Solomon ended his loan spell from Tottenham by scoring an injury time winner that saw the Whites win the league title at the death.

Leeds and Burnley were already guaranteed automatic promotion to start the day, but a late goal somewhat reminiscent of our title winning 2016/17 Championship title saw Daniel Farke’s side secure the trophy.

This sees former Mag Karl Darlow promoted back to the Premier League, with the 34-year-old playing his part after taking the No.1 spot off error-prone Illan Meslier over the final weeks of Leeds' season.

A 5-3 defeat against West Bromwich Albion saw Luton Town fall to consecutive relegations, with Plymouth Argyle and Cardiff City joining them in the drop to League One.