Sheffield United promoted to Premier League after Leeds draw

Sheffield United were promoted to the Premier League as Leeds United drew with Aston Villa in a hugely controversial game at Elland Road.

The Blades are five points clear of their Yorkshire rivals with one game of the Championship season remaining.

United could win the title if they win at Stoke City and Norwich lose at Villa on the final day.

Promotion means the Bramall Lane side will play in the top flight for the first time since 2007.

"It's one of the greatest days of my life, 100%," an emotional manager Chris Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"To see it over the line today, surrounded by my players and my family, to see us back in the Premier League is truly incredible.

"What a day to be a Blade. Next season will be a fabulous experience for everyone involved."

Sheffield United are back in the top flight for the first time since 2007

Sheffield United all but confirmed their place in the Premier League with a 2-0 victory over Ipswich on Saturday before Villa's result at Leeds sealed promotion.

Sunday's match in West Yorkshire saw Leeds go ahead while Villa players had stopped because they wanted them to put the ball out for an injury to Jonathan Kodjia.

Marcelo Bielsa then allowed Villa to run through and equalise and the game finished 1-1.

Wilder completes the set

Sheffield-born Blades fan Wilder took over at his hometown team in June 2016, having guided Northampton Town to the League Two title.

Wilder, 51, took over a club who had spent the previous five seasons in the third tier and finished 11th in League One in 2015-16.

Despite a slow start that saw them win one point in their first four matches, he led them to the title in his first campaign with 100 points.

A strong opening to the 2017-18 season saw them top the table in November, with successive promotions looking a distinct possibility but they fell away to eventually finish 10th, six points off the play-offs.

David McGoldrick, John Egan, Dean Henderson and Oliver Norwood arrived in the summer and all four have played a pivotal role, while skipper and fellow Blades fan Billy Sharp has scored 24 goals.

They had looked set for the play-offs until Easter weekend when Leeds lost at home to Wigan and away to Brentford to see the Blades go three points clear in second with two games to go.

Wilder has now won promotion from the Conference, League Two, League One and the Championship.

"We've never taken anything for granted, no matter how the game rolls," Wilder said.

"To do it in the manner we have, winning the amount of games we have especially away from home, speaks volumes about the club and most importantly, the players.

"The way we take the game to opponents just shows their desire."

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder celebrated with his players and family when promotion was confirmed