Featured Article Summary #138

The 2006 Football League Championship play-off final was an association football match played on 21 May 2006 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, between Leeds United and Watford. It decided the third and final team to be promoted from the Championship to the FA Premiership, after Reading and Sheffield United had already secured automatic promotion. Watford reached the final by beating Crystal Palace in the first semi-final, while Leeds United beat Preston North End. Winning the final was estimated to be worth up to £40 million. Watford won 3–0, with Jay DeMerit scoring early and later an own goal from Leeds goalkeeper Neil Sullivan, followed by a penalty from Darius Henderson. Leeds later suffered major problems, with their manager sacked, the club entering administration, and relegation to the third tier, while Watford were also relegated the next season. Watford finished third in the 2005–06 Championship, missing automatic promotion and instead entered the play-offs with Preston North End and Crystal Palace. Leeds struggled in their final league games and, over two legs against Preston, drew 1–1 at Elland Road before winning 2–0 at Deepdale, despite being reduced to nine men, to secure a 3–1 aggregate win. Watford beat Crystal Palace 3–0 in the first leg and then drew 0–0 in the second (after a heated incident and brawl), winning 3–0 on aggregate to reach the final. Leeds United were in their second play-off final, having previously lost in 1987 after a drawn aggregate with Charlton Athletic, while Watford had won their one earlier final in 1999. In the regular season they drew 0–0 at Vicarage Road and Leeds won 2–1 at Elland Road, with Watford’s King as the leading scorer and Leeds’ top scorers being Healy and Hulse. The referee was Mike Dean, and the final was played at the Millennium Stadium, shortly before Wembley reopened for the 2007 final; the pitch was in poor condition after the previous day’s Heineken Cup event. Leeds made changes due to suspensions and injuries, Watford were seen as narrow favourites, and both teams wore black armbands for Kiyan Prince, a QPR youth player killed four days earlier. The match began at about 3pm on 21 May 2006 at the Millennium Stadium with 64,736 fans under a closed roof due to rain. Watford took the lead in the 11th minute through Jay DeMerit’s header, and Leeds went into half-time trailing 1–0 after further chances were missed. Watford extended their advantage early in the second half, including a second goal that came from an own goal situation, making it 2–0 in the 57th minute. They added a third goal in the 84th minute, and although Leeds scored a penalty, Watford ultimately won 3–0 to return to the top tier for the first time since 2000. Boothroyd said Watford’s win was only the start and believed they could stay in the Premiership despite limited money, praising their organisation and work ethic. Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell and others admitted Leeds were outmatched and lacked spark, while Watford’s players and staff were determined to regroup for next season. DeMerit was named man of the match, with reports highlighting a frantic game and Watford’s fast style and set-piece threat, helped by the stadium pitch. Later, Blackwell was sacked and Leeds were plunged into administration, docked points, finished bottom, and were relegated, while Watford also struggled and were relegated from the Premiership the following year.