A full midweek slate of Championship action saw plenty of drama and some impressive wins. QPR and Cardiff City were held to draws by Portsmouth and Reading, while Bristol City handed Swansea their first home defeat of the season.
A full midweek slate of Championship action produced plenty of drama and some impressive wins. Top two Queens Park Rangers and Cardiff City were held to draws at Portsmouth and Reading respectively. Bristol City lifted themselves out of the relegation zone by handing Swansea City their first home defeat of the season.
Derby Country are in 4th place after a 2-0 victory at Ipswich, while Norwich City remain in the playoff spots after a 1-1 draw at Millwall.
At the other end of the table, rock bottom Crystal Palace achieved a desperately needed 3-2 win over Watford. Preston North End remain in the bottom three after a 2-1 defeat by Barnsley, and Hull City also occupy the relegation zone following a 2-2 draw at Leeds United.
League leaders Queens Park Rangers snatched a late point at Fratton Park courtesy of an intury time Tommy Smith penalty. Liam Lawrence opened the scoring from the penalty spot for Pompey, but then was dismissed for a second yellow card as he conceded the penalty that tied the game.
Pompey had the better of the first half, their best chance coming when John Utaka fired a shot against the crossbar. Hayden Mullins defended well to dent QPR at the other end.
Portsmouth gained the upper hand with 20 minutes remaining, Dave Kitson was fouled in the area by Matthew Connolly who was dismissed. Pompey then found themselves with a man and a goal advantage as Lawrence dispatched the resulting spot kick. Paddy Kenny saved the first penalty but was adjudged to have moved off his goal line. The referee awarded a retake and Lawrence made no mistake at the second time of asking.
Excellent play by QPR defender Kyle Walker held the score to 1-0 and QPR were rewarded when a late Smith cross was handled by Lawrence and the midfielder was dismissed. Smith stepped up under pressure and calmly scored the equalizer from the spot in the 91st minute.
Bradley Johnson scored at both ends as playoff chasing Leeds United were held to a 2-2 draw by struggling Hull City. John Bostock opened the scoring for Hull before Leeds hit back to take a 2-1 lead. Johnson equalized and then Bolton loanee Andy O’Brien headed United in front. Hull rebounded to pile on the pressure and it paid off when Johnson put through his own net.
Leeds started the game well but the Tigers took the lead against the run of play when Bostock hit a 14th minute free kick past Kasper Schmeichel from almost 30 yards out. Johnson had Leeds level in the 33rd minute when he dispossessed Anthony Gerrard and fired home from the edge of the area.
With less than 20 minutes remaining Scottish play maker Robert Snodgrass sent over an inviting cross that defender Andy O’Brien headed the Yorkshiremen in front. Things then got worse for Hull as goal scorer Bostock was dismissed for a second yellow card.
However, despite having only 10 men Hull continued to press and received their reward in the 82nd minute. Tom Cairney sent over a dangerous corner that was sliced past his own goalkeeper by Johnson for the final 2-2 scoreline.
An injury time equalizer from John Marquis earned Millwall a point against playoff chasing Norwich City. Teenager Marquis was making his first start for the Lions in this game.
The first half remained scoreless, Chris Martin had a long range effort saved for Norwich, while Millwall defender Danny Shittu had a long range effort well saved by John Ruddy.
The game sparked into life with 15 minutes remaining as Norwich sent a long throw into the area that resulted in a scramble, Fox was first to the rebound and smahed the ball past David Forde for a 1-0 lead.
The Canaries could not hold the lead however as intense Millwall pressure paid off in the last seconds. John Henry sent a corner over and Marquis stabbed the ball home from close range to earn a share of the points.
Nottingham Forest achieved an important win as they moved to within one point of Coventry, who currently occupy 6th place. Coventry took the lead through a Luke Chambers own goal, but strikes by Radoslaw Majewski and Chris Cohen awarded Forest the three points.
The visitors started well and a quality delivery from a Sammy Clingan free kick forced Chambers to head past his own goalkeeper. Forest responded well and were level before half time courtesy of a long range pile driver from Majewski.
The game was won when Chris Cohen sent in an inswinging free kick from out wide, only for it to carry past everyone and nestle into the corner of Keiren Westwood’s goal.
Derby Country continued their good form and currently sit in 4th place following this win over Ipswich at Portman Road. Scottish midfield ace Kris Commons was the hero for the Rams, netting both goals in the 2-0 victory.
After a goalless first half, Commons opened the scoring with a deflected 30 yard free kick. Derby wrapped up the victory when Dean Moxey got to the byline before cutting the ball back for Commons to fire home from eight yards out.
Although Derby deserved the win, Ipswich did have some chances but were denied by some good saves from Frank Fielding.
Preston North End slipped to 23rd in the table after a disappointing home defeat to Barnsley. Defender Craig Morgan headed Preston into an early lead, but Barnsley hit back to gain three points through Adam Hammill and then a late Garry O’Connor winner.
Things started well for PNE and a second minute shot by Jon ‘The Beast’ Parkin was blocked by defender Jason Shackell. Preston were ahead only two minutes later when Morgan nodded in from a Keith Treacy free kick. Parkin had another effort well saved by Luke Steele but Barnsley eventually began to keep possession and carry the play.
Hammill equalized just before half time with an excellent goal. Hammill let go a drive from around 30 yards out and the ball flew past Andy Lonergan to tie the scores. Defender Shackell had a chance to give Barnsley a lead when he headed a Hammill free kick over the bar.
With the game seemingly headed for a tie, O’Connor stepped up to net a dramatic 89th minute winning goal. Preston defender Sean St Ledger gifted possession to O’Connor, and the Birmingham loanee made no mistake, firing past Lonergan to give the Tykes a late win.
Middlesbrough lifted themselves out of the relegation zone with victory at Scunthorpe and new Manager Tony Mowbray recorded his second victory in his first three games. Former Old Firm duo Kris Boyd and Scott McDonald were on the score sheet as Boro recorded a 2-0 win.
Boro took the lead when after good build up young fullback Joe Bennett fired a low center across the goal, and Boyd had the easy task of prodding home from close range. McDonald doubled the lead in the 23rd minute when his long range effort went in off the goal post to give the travelling fans reason to celebrate.
Boro goalkeeper Jason Steele preserved the lead with saves from Josh Wright and Chris Dagnall before he deflected away a volley from Michael Raynes. Scunthorpe had further chances but were unable to convert them and in the end Middlesbrough held on for the 2-0 victory.
Burnley and Doncaster Rovers both remain within touching distance of the playoff spots after a 1-1 draw at Turf Moor. James Hayter put Doncaster ahead before Jack Cork netted a second half equalizer for the Clarets.
It was Burnley who started the brightest and they had a penalty appeal denied after a Danny Fox crass was seemingly handled by a defender. However, it was Rovers who took the lead in the 13th minute. James Coppinger drilled a ball into the area, and Cork’s attempted clearance fell to Hayter who opened the scoring.
Burnley spurned a golden opportunity to equalize when Chris Eagles had a penalty saved by veteran goalkeeper Neil Sullivan. However, Eagles rebounded and managed to play a part when Burnley did mange an equalizer in the 63rd minute. The former Manchester United midfielder’s corner was head against the post by Clarke Carlisle, and the rebound fell to Cork who tucked it away for the 1-1 scoreline.
Owen Garvan produced a match winning performance to give Crystal Palace a desperately needed win. The Eagles remain in last place despite this win over Watford, but will gain confidence from this and earned three points in their battle against relegation.
Darren Ambrose is arguable Palace’s best player and has missed the majority of this season through injury. The inspirational midfielder gave Palace the lead with a fantastic individual goal, curling the ball beyond Scott Loach from outside the area.
Watford hit back to equalize only three minutes into the second half when Danny Graham finished off a nice move to level the scores. Four minutes later Watford took a 2-1 lead as Jordan Mutch scored another nice goal that was set up by a Troy Deeney back heel.
Palace responded well in a thrilling game and they were 3-2 up only seven minutes later. First Garvan equalized with a powerful finish from a Wilfried Zaha cutback, then Irish midfielder Garvan slammed home the winner after Watford failed to clear a high ball into the penalty area.
Leicester City and Sheffield United shared the points in an entertaining 2-2 draw at the Walkers Stadium. Paul Gallacher opened the scoring for Leicester before Mark Yeates hit back with a brace to put the Blades ahead 2-1. Steve Howard snatched a draw with an injury time penalty for the Foxes.
Leicester took the lead when Martyn Waghorn was fouled on the edge of the area, and Gallacher stepped up to curl the free kick into the top corner and put Leicester ahead.
United leveled the scores after a 29th minute counter attack culminated in Andy Reid squaring for Yeates who leveled the scores from close range. Yeates had the Blades in front before half time when he was fouled outside the area, and got up to fire home a spectacular free kick.
Leicester pushed for an equalizer and were rewarded when that man Yeates was ruled to have handballed in his own area. Howard stepped up in the second minute of injury time and earned a point as he fired the penalty low into the bottom corner past Steve Simonsen.
Bristol City gained an impressive victory at third place Swansea City that lifted the Robins out of the relegation zone. A John Stead goal in the sixth minute held up ti give Bristol the three points.
Stead almost gave Bristol the lead in the first minute when he just failed to connect with an Albert Adomah cross. Adomah was involved five minutes later when Stead did give City the lead. The midfielders cross found Jamal Campbell-Ryce who had his shot saved, only for the rebound to fall to Stead who prodded the loose ball home.
Swansea dominated possession looking for an equalizer but were almost hit on the break as the impressive Adomah teed up Danny Haynes who was only denied by excellent defending from Swansea Captain Garry Monk. The Swans could not keep a lid on Adomah and he alter hit the crossbar after being played through by Stead.
Swansea kept pressing forward and were only denied an equalizer in the 66th minute by successive goal line clearances from Marvin Emnes and then Alan Tate. Scott Sinclair spurned two chances for Swansea as the visitors held on for a vital win. The result marks Swansea’s first home defeat of the season.
Second place Cardiff City earned a point at Reading courtesy of a controversial Jay Bothroyd equalizer. Noel Hunt gave Reading a fifth minute lead before Bothroyd scored the equalizer amid furious Reading protests. Bothroyd shot from distance and the ball hit the underside of the bar, the referee ruled a goal while Reading clearly felt the ball had not crossed the line.
Reading started well and a Simon Church cross was guided home at the far post from Hunt. Cardiff responded and Seyi Olofinjana had an apparent equalizer ruled out for offside. In an end to end affair, Church then was denied by an excellent save from Tom Heaton to keep the scores level. Just before half time Olofinjana had another chance to equalize and was only denied by an excellent block from defender Andy Griffin.
Reading forward Shane Long sent a lob just over the bar early in the second half, but Cardiff eventually created a good spell of pressure before Bothroyd’s debatable goal leveled the scores in the 77th minute. Bothroyd unleashed his shot from over 30 yards out and the ball appeared to bounce back off the underside of the bar but was ruled a goal. Things almost got worse for Reading but Adam Federici produced a good save from a long range Chris Burke effort to keep the scores at 1-1.
Derby Country are in 4th place after a 2-0 victory at Ipswich, while Norwich City remain in the playoff spots after a 1-1 draw at Millwall.
At the other end of the table, rock bottom Crystal Palace achieved a desperately needed 3-2 win over Watford. Preston North End remain in the bottom three after a 2-1 defeat by Barnsley, and Hull City also occupy the relegation zone following a 2-2 draw at Leeds United.
League leaders Queens Park Rangers snatched a late point at Fratton Park courtesy of an intury time Tommy Smith penalty. Liam Lawrence opened the scoring from the penalty spot for Pompey, but then was dismissed for a second yellow card as he conceded the penalty that tied the game.
Pompey had the better of the first half, their best chance coming when John Utaka fired a shot against the crossbar. Hayden Mullins defended well to dent QPR at the other end.
Portsmouth gained the upper hand with 20 minutes remaining, Dave Kitson was fouled in the area by Matthew Connolly who was dismissed. Pompey then found themselves with a man and a goal advantage as Lawrence dispatched the resulting spot kick. Paddy Kenny saved the first penalty but was adjudged to have moved off his goal line. The referee awarded a retake and Lawrence made no mistake at the second time of asking.
Excellent play by QPR defender Kyle Walker held the score to 1-0 and QPR were rewarded when a late Smith cross was handled by Lawrence and the midfielder was dismissed. Smith stepped up under pressure and calmly scored the equalizer from the spot in the 91st minute.
Bradley Johnson scored at both ends as playoff chasing Leeds United were held to a 2-2 draw by struggling Hull City. John Bostock opened the scoring for Hull before Leeds hit back to take a 2-1 lead. Johnson equalized and then Bolton loanee Andy O’Brien headed United in front. Hull rebounded to pile on the pressure and it paid off when Johnson put through his own net.
Leeds started the game well but the Tigers took the lead against the run of play when Bostock hit a 14th minute free kick past Kasper Schmeichel from almost 30 yards out. Johnson had Leeds level in the 33rd minute when he dispossessed Anthony Gerrard and fired home from the edge of the area.
With less than 20 minutes remaining Scottish play maker Robert Snodgrass sent over an inviting cross that defender Andy O’Brien headed the Yorkshiremen in front. Things then got worse for Hull as goal scorer Bostock was dismissed for a second yellow card.
However, despite having only 10 men Hull continued to press and received their reward in the 82nd minute. Tom Cairney sent over a dangerous corner that was sliced past his own goalkeeper by Johnson for the final 2-2 scoreline.
An injury time equalizer from John Marquis earned Millwall a point against playoff chasing Norwich City. Teenager Marquis was making his first start for the Lions in this game.
The first half remained scoreless, Chris Martin had a long range effort saved for Norwich, while Millwall defender Danny Shittu had a long range effort well saved by John Ruddy.
The game sparked into life with 15 minutes remaining as Norwich sent a long throw into the area that resulted in a scramble, Fox was first to the rebound and smahed the ball past David Forde for a 1-0 lead.
The Canaries could not hold the lead however as intense Millwall pressure paid off in the last seconds. John Henry sent a corner over and Marquis stabbed the ball home from close range to earn a share of the points.
Nottingham Forest achieved an important win as they moved to within one point of Coventry, who currently occupy 6th place. Coventry took the lead through a Luke Chambers own goal, but strikes by Radoslaw Majewski and Chris Cohen awarded Forest the three points.
The visitors started well and a quality delivery from a Sammy Clingan free kick forced Chambers to head past his own goalkeeper. Forest responded well and were level before half time courtesy of a long range pile driver from Majewski.
The game was won when Chris Cohen sent in an inswinging free kick from out wide, only for it to carry past everyone and nestle into the corner of Keiren Westwood’s goal.
Derby Country continued their good form and currently sit in 4th place following this win over Ipswich at Portman Road. Scottish midfield ace Kris Commons was the hero for the Rams, netting both goals in the 2-0 victory.
After a goalless first half, Commons opened the scoring with a deflected 30 yard free kick. Derby wrapped up the victory when Dean Moxey got to the byline before cutting the ball back for Commons to fire home from eight yards out.
Although Derby deserved the win, Ipswich did have some chances but were denied by some good saves from Frank Fielding.
Preston North End slipped to 23rd in the table after a disappointing home defeat to Barnsley. Defender Craig Morgan headed Preston into an early lead, but Barnsley hit back to gain three points through Adam Hammill and then a late Garry O’Connor winner.
Things started well for PNE and a second minute shot by Jon ‘The Beast’ Parkin was blocked by defender Jason Shackell. Preston were ahead only two minutes later when Morgan nodded in from a Keith Treacy free kick. Parkin had another effort well saved by Luke Steele but Barnsley eventually began to keep possession and carry the play.
Hammill equalized just before half time with an excellent goal. Hammill let go a drive from around 30 yards out and the ball flew past Andy Lonergan to tie the scores. Defender Shackell had a chance to give Barnsley a lead when he headed a Hammill free kick over the bar.
With the game seemingly headed for a tie, O’Connor stepped up to net a dramatic 89th minute winning goal. Preston defender Sean St Ledger gifted possession to O’Connor, and the Birmingham loanee made no mistake, firing past Lonergan to give the Tykes a late win.
Middlesbrough lifted themselves out of the relegation zone with victory at Scunthorpe and new Manager Tony Mowbray recorded his second victory in his first three games. Former Old Firm duo Kris Boyd and Scott McDonald were on the score sheet as Boro recorded a 2-0 win.
Boro took the lead when after good build up young fullback Joe Bennett fired a low center across the goal, and Boyd had the easy task of prodding home from close range. McDonald doubled the lead in the 23rd minute when his long range effort went in off the goal post to give the travelling fans reason to celebrate.
Boro goalkeeper Jason Steele preserved the lead with saves from Josh Wright and Chris Dagnall before he deflected away a volley from Michael Raynes. Scunthorpe had further chances but were unable to convert them and in the end Middlesbrough held on for the 2-0 victory.
Burnley and Doncaster Rovers both remain within touching distance of the playoff spots after a 1-1 draw at Turf Moor. James Hayter put Doncaster ahead before Jack Cork netted a second half equalizer for the Clarets.
It was Burnley who started the brightest and they had a penalty appeal denied after a Danny Fox crass was seemingly handled by a defender. However, it was Rovers who took the lead in the 13th minute. James Coppinger drilled a ball into the area, and Cork’s attempted clearance fell to Hayter who opened the scoring.
Burnley spurned a golden opportunity to equalize when Chris Eagles had a penalty saved by veteran goalkeeper Neil Sullivan. However, Eagles rebounded and managed to play a part when Burnley did mange an equalizer in the 63rd minute. The former Manchester United midfielder’s corner was head against the post by Clarke Carlisle, and the rebound fell to Cork who tucked it away for the 1-1 scoreline.
Owen Garvan produced a match winning performance to give Crystal Palace a desperately needed win. The Eagles remain in last place despite this win over Watford, but will gain confidence from this and earned three points in their battle against relegation.
Darren Ambrose is arguable Palace’s best player and has missed the majority of this season through injury. The inspirational midfielder gave Palace the lead with a fantastic individual goal, curling the ball beyond Scott Loach from outside the area.
Watford hit back to equalize only three minutes into the second half when Danny Graham finished off a nice move to level the scores. Four minutes later Watford took a 2-1 lead as Jordan Mutch scored another nice goal that was set up by a Troy Deeney back heel.
Palace responded well in a thrilling game and they were 3-2 up only seven minutes later. First Garvan equalized with a powerful finish from a Wilfried Zaha cutback, then Irish midfielder Garvan slammed home the winner after Watford failed to clear a high ball into the penalty area.
Leicester City and Sheffield United shared the points in an entertaining 2-2 draw at the Walkers Stadium. Paul Gallacher opened the scoring for Leicester before Mark Yeates hit back with a brace to put the Blades ahead 2-1. Steve Howard snatched a draw with an injury time penalty for the Foxes.
Leicester took the lead when Martyn Waghorn was fouled on the edge of the area, and Gallacher stepped up to curl the free kick into the top corner and put Leicester ahead.
United leveled the scores after a 29th minute counter attack culminated in Andy Reid squaring for Yeates who leveled the scores from close range. Yeates had the Blades in front before half time when he was fouled outside the area, and got up to fire home a spectacular free kick.
Leicester pushed for an equalizer and were rewarded when that man Yeates was ruled to have handballed in his own area. Howard stepped up in the second minute of injury time and earned a point as he fired the penalty low into the bottom corner past Steve Simonsen.
Bristol City gained an impressive victory at third place Swansea City that lifted the Robins out of the relegation zone. A John Stead goal in the sixth minute held up ti give Bristol the three points.
Stead almost gave Bristol the lead in the first minute when he just failed to connect with an Albert Adomah cross. Adomah was involved five minutes later when Stead did give City the lead. The midfielders cross found Jamal Campbell-Ryce who had his shot saved, only for the rebound to fall to Stead who prodded the loose ball home.
Swansea dominated possession looking for an equalizer but were almost hit on the break as the impressive Adomah teed up Danny Haynes who was only denied by excellent defending from Swansea Captain Garry Monk. The Swans could not keep a lid on Adomah and he alter hit the crossbar after being played through by Stead.
Swansea kept pressing forward and were only denied an equalizer in the 66th minute by successive goal line clearances from Marvin Emnes and then Alan Tate. Scott Sinclair spurned two chances for Swansea as the visitors held on for a vital win. The result marks Swansea’s first home defeat of the season.
Second place Cardiff City earned a point at Reading courtesy of a controversial Jay Bothroyd equalizer. Noel Hunt gave Reading a fifth minute lead before Bothroyd scored the equalizer amid furious Reading protests. Bothroyd shot from distance and the ball hit the underside of the bar, the referee ruled a goal while Reading clearly felt the ball had not crossed the line.
Reading started well and a Simon Church cross was guided home at the far post from Hunt. Cardiff responded and Seyi Olofinjana had an apparent equalizer ruled out for offside. In an end to end affair, Church then was denied by an excellent save from Tom Heaton to keep the scores level. Just before half time Olofinjana had another chance to equalize and was only denied by an excellent block from defender Andy Griffin.
Reading forward Shane Long sent a lob just over the bar early in the second half, but Cardiff eventually created a good spell of pressure before Bothroyd’s debatable goal leveled the scores in the 77th minute. Bothroyd unleashed his shot from over 30 yards out and the ball appeared to bounce back off the underside of the bar but was ruled a goal. Things almost got worse for Reading but Adam Federici produced a good save from a long range Chris Burke effort to keep the scores at 1-1.
