Newcastle win immediate return to Premier League

Newcastle United gained immediate promotion back to the English Premier League without playing on Monday after Nottingham Forest's failure to beat Cardiff City in the Championship (second division).

A 0-0 draw between Forest and Cardiff at the City Ground meant league leaders Newcastle, who play Sheffield United later, are guaranteed to finish in one of the two automatic promotion places a year after their relegation from the top flight.

"It's a wonderful achievement by everybody at this football club from day one this season," delighted Newcastle manager Chris Hughton told Sky Sports before his side's match.

"Everyone has had a real desire to get back to the division that everyone in this city believes we should be in. The title is important now ... and that's the target."

Newcastle, who have led the Championship for most of the season, have 86 points with six matches to play, three points clear of West Bromwich Albion, who seem set to go up with them.

West Brom would have been promoted on Monday as well if they had won because of Forest's failure to win but the Baggies will have to wait after drawing 1-1 at Watford.

Forest stay third in the table with 72 points from 42 games, while Cardiff stay fourth on 69 points.

The draw at the City Ground ended Forest's club-record equalling sequence of 12 successive home league wins.