An exciting weekend in the Championship saw Ipswich Town get their promotion hopes back on track with a 2-0 win over rivals Cardiff. Ipswich had a penalty appeal turned down in the first half after Connor Wickham was brought down in the box and then went close with a free kick as it remained 0-0 till half time. After the break Ipswich went close again with a header from Gareth McAuley, then Connor Wickham showed power and pace breaking through the Cardiff defence only to be thwarted by the Cardiff goalkeeper.
From a Carlos Edwards cross Cardiff defender Adam Matthews was under no pressure as he headed into his own net to make it 1-0 to the Tractor Boys. Jason Scotland showed why he is so prolific at this level when he broke through the Cardiff defence to make the result safe at 2-0 to Ipswich. Cardiff had their first meaningful chance late on with a header from Peter Whittingham. Connor Wickham had a great game and the Ipswich man looks like a potential future England player.
Watford took on Millwall at The New Den where Millwall were defending a 17 match unbeaten run. It then turned into the shock of the day, perhaps the season, when Watford ran out 6-1 winners. Watford captain John Eustace gave his side the lead with a tap in at the back post from a corner. Jordan Much doubled the Hornets lead with a close range effort and Marvin Sordell added a third from a scuffed shot. In the second half Watford scored a fourth from Adrien Mariappa. Liam Trotter came on for Millwall to score a consolation but Watford added further to their tally through a great finish from Danny Graham a Martin Taylor header from a corner, making this Watford’s biggest ever away win.
On Friday night Doncaster took on Leeds in a Yorkshire derby which ended 0-0. Somma hit the cross bar after forcing a save from Neil Sullivan in the first half. Shields then hit the post for Doncaster after a curling shot, and then Sullivan made a good save from Somma in a one on one situation. In the second half Sullivan made a good save from Max Gradel’s powerful shot. Somma had a goal disallowed for offside after turning in a rebound, a much better showing from Leeds after a poor showing against Barnsley in the week.
QPR continued their great form against Leicester at the Walkers Stadium with a 2-0 win. Jamie Mackie finally showing why Man City paid five million pounds for him, he opened the scoring with a header on twelve minutes. Mackie then created a goal from nothing in the second half he turned a Leicester defender and beat the keeper from a narrow angle. This win keeps QPR top of the table and pushes Leicester into the relegation zone.
Burnley travelled to Crystal Palace still searching for their first way win this season. Chris Eagles hit the crossbar early on, and then Jay Rodrigues hit the bar again for Burnley in the second half. Crystal Palace’s best chance came when Neil Danns hit the post from a long range strike. So the game finished 0-0.
Preston took on Norwich at Deepdale with boss Darren Ferguson starting a three match touchline ban. Norwich went close early on with a powerful header from Grant Holt cannoned back off the crossbar. After being set up by Cory Smith, Grant Holt smashed the ball hard and low to give Norwich the lead and all three points. Preston have now lost eight of their last nine league matches.
Hull took on Nottingham Forest at the KC Stadium. Jimmy Bullard forced Lee Camp into a good save from long range in the first half; Hull also went close through John Bostock. Nottingham Forest went close from a free kick from Lewis McGugan. Chambers then missed a good chance for Forest in the second half with a header from a corner, Earnshaw also missed a good chance with a header. Earnshaw then had a goal ruled out for offside and the game finished 0-0.
Barnsley after their great win in the week over Leeds took on Derby at home. Dean Leacock gave Derby the lead after a game of head tennis in the Barnsley box from a corner. Barnsley equalised in the second half from their top scorer Adam Hammill. The game finished 1-1.
Middlesbrough could continue their rebuilding of their season with a win over Reading. Reading were on a five match unbeaten run and if Middlesbrough lost it would be their worst start to a season ever. Barry Robson gave Middlesbrough the lead after twenty-four seconds with a powerful strike. Scott McDonald looking for his first goal of the season was kept out by Adam Federici then the crossbar for Middlesbrough. Jimmy Kebe then hit the post for Reading, and then ex-Reading player Leroy Lita made it 2-0. Kebe then got one back for Reading in the first half with a great run. David Wheater extended the lead with a header from a cornerin the second half, Brain Howard then got sent off for Reading. The game finished 3-1.
Bristol City still looking for their first home win of the season played host to Coventry City at Ashton Gate. Clive Platt gave the Sky Blues the lead in the first half, Bristol City scored a controversial equaliser, after Marvin Elliot headed home with a Coventry City player down injured in the box but were allowed to continue. Coventry regained the lead through Turner with the headed goal. Bristol came close to equalising through another Elliot header but it hit the crossbar. The game finished 2-1, this Coventry’s first away win under Aidy Boothroyd.
Portsmouth still looking for their first win of the season played Sheffield Utd at Bramall Lane. Portsmouth came close through John Utaka but he could not convert his chance. The Blades took the lead through Ched Evans with a hard and low free kick. Pompey looked good all match and perhaps deserved a draw but when it rains it pours. The game finished 1-0 to Sheffield Utd.
Swansea hosted Scunthorpe at the Liberty Stadium. Gary Monk came close for the home side when he headed against the crossbar from close range. Darren Pratley was then also denied by the woodwork after a good save from Joe Murphy. Scott Sinclair scored for the home team seven minutes from time from close range. Steven Dobie made the points safe with a good counter attacking move to make the score 2-0 to Swansea.