Watford promoted to Premiership

Watford beat Leeds 3-0 in the Coca-Cola Championship play-off final in Cardiff to book a place in the Premiership next season.

A convincing victory in the Millennium Stadium gave Hornets the most lucrative prize in football, worth an estimated £40million.

Defender Jay DeMerit capitalised on woeful Leeds marking to head the opener from a corner on 25 minutes. And a bizarre Neil Sullivan own goal on 57 minutes doubled the advantage.

Darius Henderson wrapped things up six minutes from time from the penalty spot.

Watford started much the brighter of the teams, despite Leeds being roared on by around 50,000 fans.

And there was a sign of things to come when Henderson got in front of his marker to head goalwards from a second-minute corner, but Paul Butler deflected the ball behind.

Leeds failed to heed that warning and on 25 minutes they paid a heavy price as DeMerit lost his marker to head home Ashley Young's corner from close range.

Leeds did mount something of a fightback as Rob Hulse fired wide and Eddie Lewis curled a free-kick just over the bar.

Kevin Blackwell brought on Robbie Blake for the start of the second half, but it was Watford who got the crucial second goal 12 minutes after the restart.

James Chambers' left-foot shot on the turn from eight yards spun up off Lewis before creeping over the line after first hitting the post and then Leeds goalkeeper Sullivan.

Leeds went close to pulling one back when a Blake header from a corner was cleared brilliantly off the Watford line by Chambers.

But Watford, who had already gone close to a third goal through Matthew Spring and Malky Mackay, wrapped up victory six minutes from time.

Marlon King was brought down in the box by Derry and up stepped Henderson to put the issue beyond doubt.