Championship Review (25/02/06)

After last week’s defeat at Luton Town Steve Coppell’s Reading responded in fine fashion to defeat play-off chasing Preston North End at the Madejski Stadium.

First half goals by Steve Sidwell and Leroy Lita meant that Callum Davidson’s stunning free-kick for the visitors was rendered meaningless as the Lilywhites lost in the championship for the first time in 23 matches.

Meanwhile at Bramall Lane, Neil Warnock’s Sheffield United scored twice, but crucially missed a penalty that allowed the erratic but dangerous Queens Park Rangers to recover and register an unlikely double over the Blades, and in the process throw the race for the second automatic promotion place wide open.

Goals by Ade Akinbiyi and a Marc Bircham own goal seemed to have put the South Yorkshire side into the ascendancy after Marc Nygaard’s opener for the Hoops, but Paul Ifill’s prolificacy from 12 yards allowed the West Londoners a route back into the contest.

An own goal by Chris Morgan drew the Loftus Road outfit level, and veteran Paul Furlong completed the comeback with a 74th minute winner.

A late Marlon King strike sealed Watford’s 8th win in 9 matches for Aidy Boothroyd's ever improving side over a disappointing Cardiff City, this after Malky Mackay's opener had been cancelled out by Jeff Whitley.

For a full match report click here.

Meanwhile, Leeds United maintained the pressure in fourth place with an odd goal in three Elland Road success over travel sick Luton Town, who lost for the 10th time on the road in their last 12 matches. Goals by the on loan Jonathan Douglas and Eddie Lewis meant Steve Howard’s 100th goal for the Hatters was academic.

Andy Johnson was the star performer as fifth placed Crystal Palace underlined their promotion credentials with a crushing 4-1 home victory against Norwich City.

Ian Dowie’s play-off hopefuls have now lost just once in their last 13 games and they eased to the three points thanks to goals by the speedy Johnson, and further efforts from Ben Watson, Clinton Morrison and Fitz Hall. The Eagles even scored the Norfolk men’s solitary reply, Darren Ward putting the ball into his own net late on.

Glen Hoddle’s frustratingly inconsistent Wolverhampton Wanderers sneaked home in the last minute of a pulsating clash at Hull City’s impressive KC Stadium to maintain their end of season interest.

Jeremie Aliadiere, on loan from Arsenal put the Black Countrymen ahead, who retained their lead despite conceding a penalty, Stuart Green blasting wide for the Tigers, much as he had done against the Golden Boys earlier in the season.

The hosts eventually restored parity six minutes after the restart through Leon Cort, but the skilful Kenny Miller soon edged the away side ahead for a second time.

A Rob Edwards own goal looked to have secured a share of the spoils for the hosts only for Carl Cort, brother of Leon to snatch all three points for the Molineux outfit with his 10th goal of the campaign as the referee starting looking at his watch.

Owen Garvan and Richardo Fuller grabbed the goals as Ipswich Town maintained mathematical involvement in the play-off shake up, while the prolific Dele Adebola pounced for the only goal of a tight contest for Coventry City over fast fading Burnley that gave the Sky Blues their fifth home win on the trot.

At the bottom, Dario Gradi’s Crewe Alexandra notched their first three point haul in 17 matches, at the expense of now increasingly desperate, Brighton & Hove Albion.

The South Coast club opened the scoring following a close range Colin Kazim-Richards’ header, but were undone during a six minute spell around the hour mark, Lee Bell and Stephen Foster lifting the Alex to within three points of their Sussex rivals.

Millwall still occupy the final relegation berth and suffered another away defeat, a first half Ben May effort not being enough to prevent defeat for Dave Tuttle’s men against a Stoke City side who registered a welcome first Championship win since December 17 last year, thanks to a Carl Hoefkens penalty and a strike by on loan Blackburn star, Paul Gallagher.

Sheffield Wednesday also remain in trouble after a three goal drubbing at St Mary's, goals from Darren Higginbottom, Grzegorz Rasiak and Kenwyne Jones ensuring the trip back to Hillsborough would be a despondent one for the Owls.

Finally, Derby County eased their relegation worries with a narrow one goal triumph over mid table Plymouth Arygle courtesy of an Adam Bolder goal within 120 seconds of the start.