WEEKEND CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND-UP
Club News
29th September
Wolves retained their grip on third place in an enthralling encounter at Madejski Stadium, Sunday’s televised fixture providing ample entertainment for fans across the globe.
Hosts Reading were a goal up at half time through Michael Hector before Wolves staged a fight back full of desire that displayed why they are now unbeaten in seven. In a remarkable second half the away team pulled level, went ahead and were then pegged back within four minutes. Kenny Jackett’s side took the lead once more after an own goal from forward Nick Blackman, but the Royals were in no mood to accept defeat, Glenn Murray again equalising in the 89th minute to secure a point. Reading now two points above Cardiff in eleventh.
Bottom club Blackpool played host to Norwich City at Bloomfield Road, the Tangerines having drawn two of their last three. It proved a difficult game in which to try and earn that vital first win as the Championship’s highest scoring team eased past Jose Riga’s men. Norwich were the only side on Saturday to score more than two goals in the Championship, putting three past their opponents after the home side initially went ahead. The 3-1 victory made it four consecutive away league victories for the Canaries and a place at the top of the table.
Nottingham Forest meanwhile took on Cardiff City’s Tuesday opponents Brighton & Hove Albion at the City ground, a hard-fought goalless draw the second time in a row Stuart Pearce’s side have failed to find the net. The result saw Forest finally slip off top spot. They and Charlton hosted the only two fixtures this weekend that ended without a goal; coincidentally, they are the only two unbeaten sides in the division this term.
THE CHASING PACK
Surprise-package Ipswich Town have now won four on the bounce, incidentally scoring twice in each of their last victories. The latest – a 2-0 defeat of Rotherham United – has pushed the Tractor Boys into play-off territory for the first time this season. Charlton Athletic’s run now stretches to six draws and three wins, Saturday’s stalemate versus Middlesbrough their second clean sheet this campaign (the first came against fourth-placed Watford). The draw between the two sides allowed Derby County to leapfrog the pair with the Rams now sitting in sixth place following their victory over Dougie Freedman’s under-achieving Bolton Wanderers. The Trotters have again slipped into the relegation zone, this time at Huddersfield Town’s expense – the Terriers’ 2-1 defeat of Millwall seeing Chris Powell’s side edge three points clear of the drop zone.
AT THE FOOT
Fulham picked up their first win of the season at Birmingham City under caretaker boss Kit Symons. Blues are in danger of slipping into a relegation battle at this early stage, their last win coming against Brighton on August, 16th. Leeds United have recruited a new manager in Darko Milanic, though his maiden game in charge was a baptism of fire, Brentford coming out on top to move into the top half of the table with a 2-0 win. Bournemouth recorded their first victory in seven with a 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic, whilst Blackburn Rovers drew 2-2 with Watford having gone two down; Ryan Tunnicliffe leveling after Rudy Gestede’s header had halved the deficit.
IN THE CHARTS
Britt Assombalonga of Nottingham Forest still leads the Championship scoring charts with eight goals to his name, Norwich's Lewis Grabban and Middlesbrough's Grant Leadbitter two behind him. Cardiff’s nearest competitor Kenwyne Jones is currently on four – though the big man does have two assists to his name, including a knock-down for Anthony Pilkington to secure three points versus our weekend opponent, Sheffield Wednesday. Speaking of the Owls, former Bluebird Glenn Loovens leads the way with bookings, picking up his sixth of the season at Cardiff City Stadium.
Hosts Reading were a goal up at half time through Michael Hector before Wolves staged a fight back full of desire that displayed why they are now unbeaten in seven. In a remarkable second half the away team pulled level, went ahead and were then pegged back within four minutes. Kenny Jackett’s side took the lead once more after an own goal from forward Nick Blackman, but the Royals were in no mood to accept defeat, Glenn Murray again equalising in the 89th minute to secure a point. Reading now two points above Cardiff in eleventh.
Bottom club Blackpool played host to Norwich City at Bloomfield Road, the Tangerines having drawn two of their last three. It proved a difficult game in which to try and earn that vital first win as the Championship’s highest scoring team eased past Jose Riga’s men. Norwich were the only side on Saturday to score more than two goals in the Championship, putting three past their opponents after the home side initially went ahead. The 3-1 victory made it four consecutive away league victories for the Canaries and a place at the top of the table.
Nottingham Forest meanwhile took on Cardiff City’s Tuesday opponents Brighton & Hove Albion at the City ground, a hard-fought goalless draw the second time in a row Stuart Pearce’s side have failed to find the net. The result saw Forest finally slip off top spot. They and Charlton hosted the only two fixtures this weekend that ended without a goal; coincidentally, they are the only two unbeaten sides in the division this term.
THE CHASING PACK
Surprise-package Ipswich Town have now won four on the bounce, incidentally scoring twice in each of their last victories. The latest – a 2-0 defeat of Rotherham United – has pushed the Tractor Boys into play-off territory for the first time this season. Charlton Athletic’s run now stretches to six draws and three wins, Saturday’s stalemate versus Middlesbrough their second clean sheet this campaign (the first came against fourth-placed Watford). The draw between the two sides allowed Derby County to leapfrog the pair with the Rams now sitting in sixth place following their victory over Dougie Freedman’s under-achieving Bolton Wanderers. The Trotters have again slipped into the relegation zone, this time at Huddersfield Town’s expense – the Terriers’ 2-1 defeat of Millwall seeing Chris Powell’s side edge three points clear of the drop zone.
AT THE FOOT
Fulham picked up their first win of the season at Birmingham City under caretaker boss Kit Symons. Blues are in danger of slipping into a relegation battle at this early stage, their last win coming against Brighton on August, 16th. Leeds United have recruited a new manager in Darko Milanic, though his maiden game in charge was a baptism of fire, Brentford coming out on top to move into the top half of the table with a 2-0 win. Bournemouth recorded their first victory in seven with a 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic, whilst Blackburn Rovers drew 2-2 with Watford having gone two down; Ryan Tunnicliffe leveling after Rudy Gestede’s header had halved the deficit.
IN THE CHARTS
Britt Assombalonga of Nottingham Forest still leads the Championship scoring charts with eight goals to his name, Norwich's Lewis Grabban and Middlesbrough's Grant Leadbitter two behind him. Cardiff’s nearest competitor Kenwyne Jones is currently on four – though the big man does have two assists to his name, including a knock-down for Anthony Pilkington to secure three points versus our weekend opponent, Sheffield Wednesday. Speaking of the Owls, former Bluebird Glenn Loovens leads the way with bookings, picking up his sixth of the season at Cardiff City Stadium.
