There was another great weekend of Championship action following the international break. TIBS News reviews the action.
Cherries soured by Derby County
Derby County’s comeback stunned table-toppers Bournemouth as they claimed their first points since their second points deduction this season. Two Tom Lawrence goals turned the game on its head to ensure that the bottom side are now on zero points for the campaign following their 3-2 victory. This was only the Cherries second league defeat all season but Scott Parker’s men slipped to second in the table.
It would only be a matter of time until Fulham would be top of the Championship following their incredibly relentless winning streak in recent weeks. They breezed past a Barnsley side winning 4-1 who are still in the relegation zone following their defeat in the capital. The Yorkshire side are in desperate need of points before a hectic Christmas period.
In the Friday night game, Luton may have posed more of a threat on goal but it would be Queens Park Rangers who came away victorious, winning 2-0 at home. Goals by Chris Willock and Charlie Austin was enough for the home side to claim all three points and keep them in the play-off places. However, the away side fall further away from the top six with this defeat and now must hit some form to claw themselves back into the promotion mix.
West Brom lose on the road again
West Bromwich Albion’s poor away form continued as they lost 1-0 at play-off chasing Huddersfield Town. Daniel Sinani scored the only goal of the game to put them within one place and point of the top-six places. The Baggies are now in danger of losing their third-place spot as other teams are hot on their tails with another disappointing defeat on the road.
Stoke City struggled as they beat relegation-threatened Peterborough United 2-0 at the bet365 Stadium. Goals from Mario Vrancic and Tyrese Campbell ensured the Potters moved to fourth in the table as they continue their pursuit of the automatic promotion places. The away side slip into the bottom three spots and now have to fight their way up the table to avoid the drop later in the season.
Hull City hauled their way out of the relegation zone with a 2-0 home victory against Birmingham City. Goals from George Honeyman and Mallik Wilks ensured the Yorkshire outfit now have back-to-back victories and jump out of the bottom three on goal difference. The away side are in 15th place but sit as many points as possible away from the play-offs than they do to the relegation zone.
Ben Brereton Diaz scores his 16th goal of the season
Ben Brereton Diaz continued his glorious goalscoring form as Blackburn Rovers were held 1-1 at Bristol City. The hosts took the lead through a Callum O’Dowda but that was cancelled out when the Chilean striker scored his 16th goal of the season. The away side are still in the hunting pack for the play-off places as the Robins creep towards the relegation zone following a poor run of results.
Cardiff City came from a goal down to win 2-1 at Preston North End in which they saw themselves pick up back-to-back victories for the first time this campaign. Sean Maguire made an instant impact as he scored after only two minutes before two second half goals by Mark McGuinness and James Collins ensured the win for the Bluebirds. The new Cardiff City manager Steve Morrison has steadied the ship for the Welsh side who climb up the table to nineteenth whilst the host’s sit in sixteenth.
Sheffield United and Coventry City played out a goalless draw as the Blades continued their winless streak. The hosts have not won in four games as they sit in 17th position in the table. However, the Sky Blues are fifth and closed the gap on third-placed West Bromwich Albion as they continue to shock fans up and down the country with their impressive season thus far.
Chris Wilder off the mark as Boro boss
Chris Wilder claimed his first point as Middlesbrough manager with a 1-1 draw at home to Millwall. Matt Crooks got his new boss’ reign off to a great start as he struck to give the hosts the lead. However, an unfortunate Sol Bamba own goal shared the spoils between the two sides. Wilder still has work to do with his side sitting six points off the top six while the Lions are only three points off where they want to be in the play-offs.
Blackpool snatched a late equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw at Swansea City to keep them in the hunt for a play-off place. In an evenly-poised game, it was the Welsh side that took the lead through a Joel Piroe goal which looked like giving them their fifth straight home win. However, Keshi Anderson ruined the party as he levelled in the dying minutes. Both sides are still in the hunt for a top-six place.
Reading claimed a point at home to Nottingham Forest with a 1-1 draw as they played for the first time since their six-point deduction. The away side started excellently as they took the lead early on with a sensational solo goal by Philip Zinckernagel in the fourth minute. Veteran Scott Dan equalised as new signing Andy Carroll played a part in the goal. Reading remain outside the relegation zone but only by two points as the away side are placed mid-table.
By Jack Bunclark
