Huddersfield Town beat Sheffield United on penalties on Saturday to clinch promotion to the Championship.
In the searing heat, the actual game between Sheffield United and Huddersfield Town wasn’t very exciting.
The penalty shoot-out on the other hand, was thrilling.
After missing their first three penalties, few could see Huddersfield winning, most of all their own fans, who saw them lose the League One Play-Off Final last season.
Sheffield United though are becoming renowned for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, and blew it.
After reaching sudden death equal, the players then put on a clinic on how to take penalties, all scoring until it reached the goalkeepers.
Town goalkeeper Alex Smithies scored his, but United’s Steve Simonsen ballooned his over the bar, condemning his side to defeat.
It was heartbreaking for Sheffield United, who had a four point lead over rivals Sheffield Wednesday for the automatic promotion spot with three games to go.
There will be no Blades-Owls derby next season, and Huddersfield will seek to follow Norwich and Southampton in securing back-to-back promotions.
That could depend on keeping free scoring striker Jordan Rhodes, who scored his penalty with ease, and who is interesting several Premier League clubs.
Town fans will hope Championship football will be enough to convince him to stay, at least for another season.
And to think Sepp Blatter wants to scrap penalty shoot-outs…
Watch this video of Huddersfield Town fans celebrating outside Wembley, courtesy of video reporters Winkball.
How will Sheffield United bounce back? Can Huddersfield challenge in the Championship next season?
image: © Sutherland85
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