Reading were finally crowned champions in style this weekend by thumping five second-half goals past Terry Westley's Derby County who are not safe yet and face a relegation showdown with Millwall next weekend.

Steve Coppell's Premiership-bound side went ahead just before the hour through James Harper and Kevin Doyle nodded in Bobby Convey's corner six minutes later for his 16th league goal of the season.

Substitute Jon Oster added a third after 69 minutes and Shane Long rounded off the win with a brace of goals and spark Jubilant scenes around the Madejski Stadium as Reading's supporters chanted "That's Why We're Champions".

A delighted Coppell beamed afterwards: "I think it was fitting we went up as champions.

"We have led the pack for an awfully long time and the second half performance reflected what we've been about all season." 

Derby manager Terry Westley agreed, adding: "All congratulations and the plaudits should go to Reading."

At the other end of the Championship table Brighton gave them selves a glimmer of hope by beating fellow relegation strugglers Millwall 2-0 at the Den to take them within a point of the south London side and seven behind Sheffield Wednesday and safety.

Arsenal were also contenders for Team of the Weekend as they turned on the style by also hitting five to round off a remarkable week for the club and send shivers down the spines of the Juventus fans ahead of their Champions League showdown in Turin on Wednesday.

In League One Nottingham Forest continued their run of good form with a 3-1 win over Chesterfield and put them firmly in the hunt for a play-off spot as both Barnsley, Oldham and Colchester all dropped points - leaving the door ajar for a revitalised Forest to turn up the heat on the teams above them.

"It may have been exciting to watch, but it wasn't pretty. I'm just grateful we won," Forest boss Frank Barlow said.

Rushden and Diamonds won the battle of the basement two sides in League Two with a 1-0 win to swap places with rock bottom Torquay and take them within a point of Barnet, who slumped to a 2-1 defeat and Boston, and a place in the football league next season.