Pleasure of promotion is potent despite likelihood of pain to follow | Paul Wilson


Suspension of disbelief will be necessary as fans of Norwich, Sheffield United and either Aston Villa or Derby contemplate Premier League life. Luckily football supporters are good at that

It was a privilege to be at Elland Road for the play-off second leg between Leeds and Derby, not only because it was one of the most grippingly exciting Championship games of the season but because it was a throwback to a rawness and immediacy that is gradually disappearing from football at the top level.

Walking in to the ground late along with hundreds of others affected by an M62 closure in late afternoon, it was impossible not to be struck by the raucousness and sheer volume that could be created by 36,000 inside a boxy old stadium.

Related: Derby book Wembley final after Jack Marriott stuns Leeds in thriller

Related: Frank Lampard says revenge for Spygate was not Derby’s play-off motivation

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