Watford FC will return to the Premier League next season after their victory over Millwall at Vicarage Road guarantees them a spot in the top two, alongside Norwich City.
Ismaila Sarr notched the all important goal in a 1-0 victory from the penalty spot, with the Senegalese youngster scoring his 13th goal of the season.
Xisco Muñoz named one change to the side that beat Norwich in midweek, bringing in Kiko Femenia for Craig Cathcart, although the latter was forced to replace Femenia just 30 minutes into the game through injury.
Ross Wallace of Millwall had the first opportunity of the game just 10 minutes in, but his half-volley was dealt with comfortably by Daniel Bachmann.
A few minutes later, Sarr was brought down in the penalty box and the referee awarded a penalty, which Sarr stepped up for and coolly slotted the ball beyond Bartosz Bialkowski to give the Hornets the lead. 1-0
Tom Bradshaw went close for the visitors on the 25th minute after the Welsh international found space in the box, but he could only drag his shot wide.
Bachmann was called into action once again just before half time, this time it was Billy Mitchell who forced a fantastic save out of him, before Scott Malone headed the ball over the bar from the resulting corner.
Millwall continued to threaten Bachmann’s goal in the second half on the counterattack, and the ball fell kindly to Malone but he couldn’t sort his feet out to get a clean shot away.
Substitute Andre Gray almost doubled Watford’s lead on the 71st minute after Francisco Sierralta’s cross found him in the box but Bialkowski saved well at his near post.
The Hornets looked comfortable in the final 10 minutes, with Chalobah almost adding to the scoresheet after he met Will Hughes’ cross, but it was again well saved by Bialkowski.
Celebrations began at the full time whistle as Watford held on despite some half chances for Millwall in the last few minutes at Vicarage Road, to confirm their place in next season’s Premier League with two games to spare.
Their attentions for the last couple of games will be trying to catch Norwich for the Championship title, but the job of promotion has been secured in incredible style with some sensational form in the last third of the season.
Watford face both Brentford and Swansea in the final two games of the season, with both of those sides vying for promotion themselves through the play-offs.
Picture credit Watford FC
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