Leicester City produced an impressive 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Monday night.
Queens Park Rangers opened up a five point gap at the top of the Championship table with a 2-1 victory over second place Cardiff City. Third place Swansea City failed to take advantage of Cardiff’s loss as they were beaten 2-1 at home to Portsmouth.
Coventry City consolidated their status as a playoff contender with a 2-0 win at Scunthorpe United, while Burnley defeated fourth place Derby County 2-1 thanks to a late Jack Cork winning goal. Norwich City climbed the table by hammering local rivals Ipswich Town.
At the bottom end of the table, Preston North end remain bottom and are now five points adrift of safety after a 0-0 draw with visiting Millwall. Middlesbrough remain in the bottom three after a 2-2 draw with Hull City, and Crystal Palace are in the relegation zone but helped their cause with a 1-0 victory over Doncaster Rovers.
Third place Swansea City slipped up in their bid to put pressure on Cardiff City and Queens Park Rangers as they were beaten 2-1 by visiting Portsmouth. The result for Portsmouth was only their third away win all season.
The Swans got off to a flying start as Craig Beattie put them ahead in the second minute after he was set up by Mark Gower. Swansea continued to pour forward after the goal and Gower, Nathan Dyer and Darren Pratley all had efforts on goal but failed to add to the score.
At the other end Dave Kitson was the biggest threat for Portsmouth. The Stoke City loanee forced a good save from Dorus De Vries and then had a goal ruled out for offside. Portsmouth did mange to draw level two minutes before half-time. John Utaka sent a cunning through ball in behind and David Nugent latched onto it before finishing past De Vries to level the scores.
Portsmouth were the better team after the break and the deserved winning goal arrived in the 65th minute. Portsmouth worked a free kick to Utaka, who sent in a deep cross for Greg Halford to head in the winner at the back post.
Scunthorpe United continued their slide towards the relegation zone as they were beaten 2-0 by playoff chasing Coventry City. The defeat means Scunthorpe have now lost four consecutive games and sit above the relegation zone only on goal difference.
Gary McSheffrey opened the scoring in the 31st minute when he calmly finished off the rebound after Marlon King’s shot was saved by Joe Murphy. Murphy’s bad luck would continue as the scoring was doubled by an own goal from him.
Coventry striker King drilled a long range shot off the goal post, only for the ball to hit the back of the unfortunate Murphy and roll agonizingly over the line. King had a good game for Coventry, but was denied his first goal for the club when his goal bound shot was cleared off the line by Rob Jones.
Reading gained their fourth consecutive draw when they were held 0-0 by visiting Leeds United, who stretched their unbeaten run to six games. In a scoreless but eventful game, one period of play saw seven yellow cards given out in 30 minutes, and both teams went close with late chances to snatch victory.
In an attritional first half, both teams cancelled each other out, with a Robert Snodgrass free kick for the visitors producing one of few efforts on goal.
In the second half, Reading threatened with a free kick of their own as Ian Harte forced a full length save from Kasper Schmeichel. Leeds midfielder Bradley Johnson went close with an 85th minute header before both teams spurned a gilt edged chance to win the game.
Reading’s Michail Antonio drilled a shot across Schmeichel only to see the ball bounce back of the goal post. Then in the final moments Leeds midfielder Johnny Howson saw his shot brilliantly saved by Adam Federici.
Preston North End remain bottom of the table after a 0-0 tie with Millwall at Deepdale. The draw leaves Preston five points adrift of safety, while Millwall put themselves four points clear of the relegation zone.
Preston striker Jon Parkin missed a chance from six yards out, while Darel Russell and Adam barton also had chances to open the scoring. At the other end, Millwall striker Steve Morison forced a good save from Andy Lonergan, before heading voer the crossbar.
PNE did manage to end a three game losing streak with this result, but have won only four of their last 19 games.
Queens Park Rangers remained unbeaten and opened up a five point lead at the top of the Championship with a 2-1 victory over second place Cardiff City. Wales international Craig Bellamy opened the scoring for Cardiff, before defender Kaspars Gorkks headed QPR level. Adel Taarabt won the game for QPR in the 68th minute with a wonderful individual goal.
QPR pushed forward from the off and had a 12th minute penalty appeal turned down when Taarabt’s cross appeared to be handled by a Cardiff defender. To rub salt in the wounds, Cardiff immediately went up the other end and opened the scoring. A slip by Gorkss let in Jay Bothroyd, and the England striker fed Bellamy who beat Paddy Kenny with a powerful finish.
Gorkss made amends for his error five minutes later when he headed QPR level from a floating Tommy Smith cross. Momentum went back and forth in an entertaining game but the teams went in at half-time tied at 1-1.
QPR gained the upper hand in the second half and it took a fine save from Tom Heaton to keep out Jamie Mackie’s powerful strike. The Hoops did take the lead in the 68th minute through Taarabt’s ninth goal of the season.
The Moroccan found himself in possession and skinned Lee Naylor before powering a good finish past Heaton from close range.
Cardiff searched for an equalizer and were aggrieved to be denied a late penalty when they felt Bothroyd was fouled by Matthew Connolly.
Crystal Palace gained an important three points as they fight to climb away from the relegation zone with a crucial 1-0 win over visiting Doncaster Rovers. A first half goal by Pablo Counago was enough to give Palace the victory.
Doncaster almost took the lead when James Coppinger and James Hayter combined only for the latter to twice fail to convert good chances.
Palace took the lead 10 minutes before half-time when star midfielder Darren Ambrose broke free down the right, and teed up Counago to fire past Neil Sullivan. Sullivan prevented Palace from doubling their lead when he saved from James Vaughan.
In the second half, Wilfried Zaha dribbled through the Doncaster back-line but saw his shot bounce back off the goal post.
Doncaster pushed for an equalizer, but fine saves from Julian Speroni to deny David Healy and Brian Stock helped the Eagles hold on for the win.
Middlesbrough remain in the relegation zone after sharing the points with Hull City at a snowy Riverside Stadium. Hull twice took the lead through Robert Koren and Anthony Gerrard, but Boro twice hit back through Leroy Lita and Scott McDonald.
Boro’s promising young goalkeeper Jason Steele had a disappointing game and was at fault for Hull City’s opener. Arsenal loanee goalkeeper Vito Mannone punted long and Robert Koren found himself clear, the Slovenian international’s shot squirmed underneath Steele and into the net to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. Former Boro player Nick Barmby missed a chance to double the lead for the Tigers and was made to pay when the home side equalized through Lita.
Tony McMahon surged down the right and crossed for Lita to head past Mannone to level the scores. Hull were back in front before half-time when Anthony Gerrard headed in Koren’s free kick.
Boro pulled the scores level within a minute of the restart when good play by Lita set up McDonald to head in from close range. Both teams pushed for a winner, but the snowy conditions made attacking play difficult and the game finished at 2-2.
Barnsley and Watford battled to a 0-0 draw at Oakwell, but the home team will count themselves a little unfortunate to not have recorded their fourth straight win. The Tykes pushed for a winner in the second half but were twice denied by the woodwork as Watford held on for a point.
Watford started brightly and Jordon Mutch unleashed a low drive that was saved by Luke Steele. As the first half progressed Barnsley gained a foothold in the game and Adam Hammill fired a long range shot that was saved by Scott Loach. Soon after Hammill created space to unleash another long shot that flew just over the bar.
The Tyke’s kept the visitors on the back foot in the second half, and the impressive Hammill threated yet again when he crashed a free kick against the cross bar. Minutes later Jacob Butterfield hit the crossbar with a shot as Watford held on.
Bristol City pulled themselves away from the bottom three with a crucial 3-0 win over fellow strugglers Sheffield United. Striker Brett Pitman scored two first half penalties, before Jamie McAllister scored directly from a corner kick to seal a comfortable victory.
Bristol were awarded a 6th minute penalty when Leon Britton fouled David Clarkson in the penalty area. Pitman calmly dispatched the resulting spot kick. The home side’s second penalty was awarded in the 34th minute for a Stephen Jordan handball.
Things got worse just before half time for the Blades when Richard Cresswell was given a straight red card for violent conduct.
City took a 3-0 lead at the 62 minute mark when McAllister’s corner was flapped at by goalkeeper Steve Simonsen and the ball flew directly into the net.
Ched Evans had a chance to net a late consolation for the Blades in injury time but his shot struck the crossbar.
Playoff contenders Burnley climbed up the table courtesy of a dramatic late fight back to defeat fourth place Derby County. Luke Moore opened the scoring for Derby, but Burnley equalized in the 82nd minute through a free kick by Tyrone Mears. Jack Cork then stole the three points for the Clarets when he headed in an injury time winner.
Burnley dominated the early exchanges but Chris Iwelumo and Andre Bikey failed to score when presented with good chances. Burnley were made to pay when the visitors took a 19th minute lead through Aston villa loanee Luke Moore. Moore cut inside Bikey before unleashing a shot from distance that beat Lee Grant with the help of a deflection.
Derby appeared to sit back on their lead as the game progressed and were made to pay in the final 10 minutes. In the 82nd minute Burnley’s pressure was rewarded when Dean Marney was brought down by Dean Moxey, and Mears stepped up to curl the free kick over the wall and level the scores.
Burnley poured forward in search of victory, and in the 91st minute Cork sealed the win when he rose and headed home a Wade Elliott cross.
Norwich City handed bitter rivals Ipswich Town a 4-1 defeat in what was jokingly referred to this week as the ‘Old Farm’ derby. Norwich Captain Grant Holt netted a hat-trick and Wes Hoolahan completed the scoring for the rampant home team. Damien Delaney had equalized Holt’s opener but was later sent off for Ipswich, who fell to their fourth straight defeat.
The tone was set early for a fiery affair when Holt rashly fouled Jack Colbeck to spark a melee. Holt would receive a yellow card and was arguably lucky not to be sent off. Ipswich would regret the fact that he wasn’t as the game progressed.
In the 13th minute Holt dispossessed Darren O’Dea and raced clear before calmly sliding the ball beyond Matron Fulop to send the home fans into raptures. Norwich continued to press but Ipswich would equalize just before the half hour mark.
Grant Leadbitter sent in a deep free kick that Tamas Priskin nodded back across goal for Delaney to turn home from close range. Ipswich could only hold their lead for six minutes and Holt again was the thorn in their side.
Arsenal loanee Henri Lansbury split the Ipswich defense and Holt latched onto the pass and fired the Canaries back into the lead. Two minutes later things would get worse for the visitors when goal scorer Delaney was shown a straight red card for bringing down Holt.
An excellent save by Fulop denied Andrew Surman and held the lead to 2-1 at the break. After half-time Norwich dominated possession as they looked to press home their man advantage.
In the 76th minute Holt completed his hat-trick and put the game beyond the reach of the Tractor Boys thanks to an assist by Chris Martin. Holt and Martin then turned creators as they combined to set up Hoolahan to chip the ball over Fulop and cap a dream derby day for Norwich and their fans.
Leicester City gained an impressive 1-0 victory over East Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest. Andy King netted the decisive goal in the second half after good work from former England international Darius Vassell.
The win was the last game in charge of Leicester for chairman Milan Mandaric, who has agreed to take over League One club Sheffield Wednesday.
It was visiting Forest who had the first chances to open the scoring, but Wes Morgan and Dele Adebola failed to hit the target when presented with goal scoring opportunities. Leicester hit back and went close when West Brom loanee Roman Bednar has his shot cleared off the line, and Curtis Davies got to the rebound first only to be denied by Lee Camp.
The game continued end to end and both teams had good opportunities to break the deadlock before half-time. For the visitors Robert Earnshaw pounced on an errant back pass only to be denied by Foxes keeper Chris Weale. At the other end, Vassell prodded the ball beyond Camp, only for Luke Chambers to deny him with a good goal difference.
Leicester were the better team in the second half and Vassell was at the heart of their success. First Vassell was denied a penalty after he was seemingly fouled by Chris Gunter. In the 59th minute Vassell created the decisive goal as he raced behind the Forest backline and fired a low cross over that King gleefully turned home.
Forest responded to the setback by introducing Arsenal and Wales star Aaron Ramsey. However, Forest could not break the home side’s resistance and fell to a disappointing defeat.
Coventry City consolidated their status as a playoff contender with a 2-0 win at Scunthorpe United, while Burnley defeated fourth place Derby County 2-1 thanks to a late Jack Cork winning goal. Norwich City climbed the table by hammering local rivals Ipswich Town.
At the bottom end of the table, Preston North end remain bottom and are now five points adrift of safety after a 0-0 draw with visiting Millwall. Middlesbrough remain in the bottom three after a 2-2 draw with Hull City, and Crystal Palace are in the relegation zone but helped their cause with a 1-0 victory over Doncaster Rovers.
Third place Swansea City slipped up in their bid to put pressure on Cardiff City and Queens Park Rangers as they were beaten 2-1 by visiting Portsmouth. The result for Portsmouth was only their third away win all season.
The Swans got off to a flying start as Craig Beattie put them ahead in the second minute after he was set up by Mark Gower. Swansea continued to pour forward after the goal and Gower, Nathan Dyer and Darren Pratley all had efforts on goal but failed to add to the score.
At the other end Dave Kitson was the biggest threat for Portsmouth. The Stoke City loanee forced a good save from Dorus De Vries and then had a goal ruled out for offside. Portsmouth did mange to draw level two minutes before half-time. John Utaka sent a cunning through ball in behind and David Nugent latched onto it before finishing past De Vries to level the scores.
Portsmouth were the better team after the break and the deserved winning goal arrived in the 65th minute. Portsmouth worked a free kick to Utaka, who sent in a deep cross for Greg Halford to head in the winner at the back post.
Scunthorpe United continued their slide towards the relegation zone as they were beaten 2-0 by playoff chasing Coventry City. The defeat means Scunthorpe have now lost four consecutive games and sit above the relegation zone only on goal difference.
Gary McSheffrey opened the scoring in the 31st minute when he calmly finished off the rebound after Marlon King’s shot was saved by Joe Murphy. Murphy’s bad luck would continue as the scoring was doubled by an own goal from him.
Coventry striker King drilled a long range shot off the goal post, only for the ball to hit the back of the unfortunate Murphy and roll agonizingly over the line. King had a good game for Coventry, but was denied his first goal for the club when his goal bound shot was cleared off the line by Rob Jones.
Reading gained their fourth consecutive draw when they were held 0-0 by visiting Leeds United, who stretched their unbeaten run to six games. In a scoreless but eventful game, one period of play saw seven yellow cards given out in 30 minutes, and both teams went close with late chances to snatch victory.
In an attritional first half, both teams cancelled each other out, with a Robert Snodgrass free kick for the visitors producing one of few efforts on goal.
In the second half, Reading threatened with a free kick of their own as Ian Harte forced a full length save from Kasper Schmeichel. Leeds midfielder Bradley Johnson went close with an 85th minute header before both teams spurned a gilt edged chance to win the game.
Reading’s Michail Antonio drilled a shot across Schmeichel only to see the ball bounce back of the goal post. Then in the final moments Leeds midfielder Johnny Howson saw his shot brilliantly saved by Adam Federici.
Preston North End remain bottom of the table after a 0-0 tie with Millwall at Deepdale. The draw leaves Preston five points adrift of safety, while Millwall put themselves four points clear of the relegation zone.
Preston striker Jon Parkin missed a chance from six yards out, while Darel Russell and Adam barton also had chances to open the scoring. At the other end, Millwall striker Steve Morison forced a good save from Andy Lonergan, before heading voer the crossbar.
PNE did manage to end a three game losing streak with this result, but have won only four of their last 19 games.
Queens Park Rangers remained unbeaten and opened up a five point lead at the top of the Championship with a 2-1 victory over second place Cardiff City. Wales international Craig Bellamy opened the scoring for Cardiff, before defender Kaspars Gorkks headed QPR level. Adel Taarabt won the game for QPR in the 68th minute with a wonderful individual goal.
QPR pushed forward from the off and had a 12th minute penalty appeal turned down when Taarabt’s cross appeared to be handled by a Cardiff defender. To rub salt in the wounds, Cardiff immediately went up the other end and opened the scoring. A slip by Gorkss let in Jay Bothroyd, and the England striker fed Bellamy who beat Paddy Kenny with a powerful finish.
Gorkss made amends for his error five minutes later when he headed QPR level from a floating Tommy Smith cross. Momentum went back and forth in an entertaining game but the teams went in at half-time tied at 1-1.
QPR gained the upper hand in the second half and it took a fine save from Tom Heaton to keep out Jamie Mackie’s powerful strike. The Hoops did take the lead in the 68th minute through Taarabt’s ninth goal of the season.
The Moroccan found himself in possession and skinned Lee Naylor before powering a good finish past Heaton from close range.
Cardiff searched for an equalizer and were aggrieved to be denied a late penalty when they felt Bothroyd was fouled by Matthew Connolly.
Crystal Palace gained an important three points as they fight to climb away from the relegation zone with a crucial 1-0 win over visiting Doncaster Rovers. A first half goal by Pablo Counago was enough to give Palace the victory.
Doncaster almost took the lead when James Coppinger and James Hayter combined only for the latter to twice fail to convert good chances.
Palace took the lead 10 minutes before half-time when star midfielder Darren Ambrose broke free down the right, and teed up Counago to fire past Neil Sullivan. Sullivan prevented Palace from doubling their lead when he saved from James Vaughan.
In the second half, Wilfried Zaha dribbled through the Doncaster back-line but saw his shot bounce back off the goal post.
Doncaster pushed for an equalizer, but fine saves from Julian Speroni to deny David Healy and Brian Stock helped the Eagles hold on for the win.
Middlesbrough remain in the relegation zone after sharing the points with Hull City at a snowy Riverside Stadium. Hull twice took the lead through Robert Koren and Anthony Gerrard, but Boro twice hit back through Leroy Lita and Scott McDonald.
Boro’s promising young goalkeeper Jason Steele had a disappointing game and was at fault for Hull City’s opener. Arsenal loanee goalkeeper Vito Mannone punted long and Robert Koren found himself clear, the Slovenian international’s shot squirmed underneath Steele and into the net to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. Former Boro player Nick Barmby missed a chance to double the lead for the Tigers and was made to pay when the home side equalized through Lita.
Tony McMahon surged down the right and crossed for Lita to head past Mannone to level the scores. Hull were back in front before half-time when Anthony Gerrard headed in Koren’s free kick.
Boro pulled the scores level within a minute of the restart when good play by Lita set up McDonald to head in from close range. Both teams pushed for a winner, but the snowy conditions made attacking play difficult and the game finished at 2-2.
Barnsley and Watford battled to a 0-0 draw at Oakwell, but the home team will count themselves a little unfortunate to not have recorded their fourth straight win. The Tykes pushed for a winner in the second half but were twice denied by the woodwork as Watford held on for a point.
Watford started brightly and Jordon Mutch unleashed a low drive that was saved by Luke Steele. As the first half progressed Barnsley gained a foothold in the game and Adam Hammill fired a long range shot that was saved by Scott Loach. Soon after Hammill created space to unleash another long shot that flew just over the bar.
The Tyke’s kept the visitors on the back foot in the second half, and the impressive Hammill threated yet again when he crashed a free kick against the cross bar. Minutes later Jacob Butterfield hit the crossbar with a shot as Watford held on.
Bristol City pulled themselves away from the bottom three with a crucial 3-0 win over fellow strugglers Sheffield United. Striker Brett Pitman scored two first half penalties, before Jamie McAllister scored directly from a corner kick to seal a comfortable victory.
Bristol were awarded a 6th minute penalty when Leon Britton fouled David Clarkson in the penalty area. Pitman calmly dispatched the resulting spot kick. The home side’s second penalty was awarded in the 34th minute for a Stephen Jordan handball.
Things got worse just before half time for the Blades when Richard Cresswell was given a straight red card for violent conduct.
City took a 3-0 lead at the 62 minute mark when McAllister’s corner was flapped at by goalkeeper Steve Simonsen and the ball flew directly into the net.
Ched Evans had a chance to net a late consolation for the Blades in injury time but his shot struck the crossbar.
Playoff contenders Burnley climbed up the table courtesy of a dramatic late fight back to defeat fourth place Derby County. Luke Moore opened the scoring for Derby, but Burnley equalized in the 82nd minute through a free kick by Tyrone Mears. Jack Cork then stole the three points for the Clarets when he headed in an injury time winner.
Burnley dominated the early exchanges but Chris Iwelumo and Andre Bikey failed to score when presented with good chances. Burnley were made to pay when the visitors took a 19th minute lead through Aston villa loanee Luke Moore. Moore cut inside Bikey before unleashing a shot from distance that beat Lee Grant with the help of a deflection.
Derby appeared to sit back on their lead as the game progressed and were made to pay in the final 10 minutes. In the 82nd minute Burnley’s pressure was rewarded when Dean Marney was brought down by Dean Moxey, and Mears stepped up to curl the free kick over the wall and level the scores.
Burnley poured forward in search of victory, and in the 91st minute Cork sealed the win when he rose and headed home a Wade Elliott cross.
Norwich City handed bitter rivals Ipswich Town a 4-1 defeat in what was jokingly referred to this week as the ‘Old Farm’ derby. Norwich Captain Grant Holt netted a hat-trick and Wes Hoolahan completed the scoring for the rampant home team. Damien Delaney had equalized Holt’s opener but was later sent off for Ipswich, who fell to their fourth straight defeat.
The tone was set early for a fiery affair when Holt rashly fouled Jack Colbeck to spark a melee. Holt would receive a yellow card and was arguably lucky not to be sent off. Ipswich would regret the fact that he wasn’t as the game progressed.
In the 13th minute Holt dispossessed Darren O’Dea and raced clear before calmly sliding the ball beyond Matron Fulop to send the home fans into raptures. Norwich continued to press but Ipswich would equalize just before the half hour mark.
Grant Leadbitter sent in a deep free kick that Tamas Priskin nodded back across goal for Delaney to turn home from close range. Ipswich could only hold their lead for six minutes and Holt again was the thorn in their side.
Arsenal loanee Henri Lansbury split the Ipswich defense and Holt latched onto the pass and fired the Canaries back into the lead. Two minutes later things would get worse for the visitors when goal scorer Delaney was shown a straight red card for bringing down Holt.
An excellent save by Fulop denied Andrew Surman and held the lead to 2-1 at the break. After half-time Norwich dominated possession as they looked to press home their man advantage.
In the 76th minute Holt completed his hat-trick and put the game beyond the reach of the Tractor Boys thanks to an assist by Chris Martin. Holt and Martin then turned creators as they combined to set up Hoolahan to chip the ball over Fulop and cap a dream derby day for Norwich and their fans.
Leicester City gained an impressive 1-0 victory over East Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest. Andy King netted the decisive goal in the second half after good work from former England international Darius Vassell.
The win was the last game in charge of Leicester for chairman Milan Mandaric, who has agreed to take over League One club Sheffield Wednesday.
It was visiting Forest who had the first chances to open the scoring, but Wes Morgan and Dele Adebola failed to hit the target when presented with goal scoring opportunities. Leicester hit back and went close when West Brom loanee Roman Bednar has his shot cleared off the line, and Curtis Davies got to the rebound first only to be denied by Lee Camp.
The game continued end to end and both teams had good opportunities to break the deadlock before half-time. For the visitors Robert Earnshaw pounced on an errant back pass only to be denied by Foxes keeper Chris Weale. At the other end, Vassell prodded the ball beyond Camp, only for Luke Chambers to deny him with a good goal difference.
Leicester were the better team in the second half and Vassell was at the heart of their success. First Vassell was denied a penalty after he was seemingly fouled by Chris Gunter. In the 59th minute Vassell created the decisive goal as he raced behind the Forest backline and fired a low cross over that King gleefully turned home.
Forest responded to the setback by introducing Arsenal and Wales star Aaron Ramsey. However, Forest could not break the home side’s resistance and fell to a disappointing defeat.
