LEICESTER CITY SECURE PREMIER LEAGUE PROMOTION; LEEDS UNITED'S DREAMS DASHED IN 4-0 LOSS

NEW DELHI: Leicester City secured promotion to the Premier League on Friday following Leeds United's unexpected 4-0 loss against Queens Park Rangers. The Foxes sit atop the Championship standings with 94 points and two games remaining, while Leeds remain second with 90 points and only one match left to play.

Ipswich Town, currently in third place with 89 points and three games in hand, have the opportunity to overtake Leeds for the second automatic promotion spot.

Leeds manager Daniel Farke acknowledged the situation, stating, "It's not in our hands anymore (automatic promotion), we need to be honest." However, he remained hopeful, adding, "The race is not over, if Ipswich win the next two games then I will say congratulations but if they don't win them then we will have a lot to play for (against Southampton on the final day of the season)."

Leicester achieved promotion in their first season following relegation from the Premier League last year. They face Preston on Monday before concluding their season at home against Blackburn on May 4. Leeds' fate depends on Ipswich's results against Hull on Saturday and Coventry in their game in hand on Tuesday. If Ipswich win both matches, they will secure promotion, relegating Leeds to the play-offs.

Despite their impressive 5-0 victory over Southampton on Tuesday, Leicester's joy at promotion may be tempered by the Premier League's charges against them in March for alleged breaches of profit and sustainability rules during their last three years in the top flight. If found guilty, the Foxes could face a points deduction upon their return to the Premier League.

QPR's well-deserved win over Leeds, with goals from Ilias Chair, Lucas Andersen, Lyndon Dykes, and Sam Field, ensured their survival in the Championship. Manager Marti Cifuentes, who took over from Gareth Ainsworth in October when the team was second from bottom, expressed his delight, saying, "It was a fantastic evening. We worked really hard to get this type of performance." He praised the club's resilience and unity in the face of adversity, calling their survival "the great escape."

(Inputs from AFP)