WBA go top; Huddersfield surprise Blackburn; Boro get much-needed home win
Tuesday night saw promotion favourites West Bromwich Albion put a faltering Cardiff City side to the sword, leaving the Welsh capital with a 4-0 victory to put themselves top.
An early Karlan Grant effort was followed by an own goal from Curtis Nelson and quick-fire strikes from Alex Mowatt and Matt Phillips as Albion heaped a fourth successive loss on Mick McCarthy’s Bluebirds.
A brace from Danny Ward helped Huddersfield Town to a 3-2 victory over in-form Blackburn Rovers, who came from behind twice in the game.
Alex Vallejo gave the Terriers the lead 10 minutes before half time; Chilean international Ben Brereton Diaz bagged two more goals including a penalty before Ward scored the winner five minutes from time.
Blackpool were denied a third consecutive victory as ten-man Hull City scored a late equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw.
Shayne Lavery’s precise finish just before the break looked to have earned the win for Blackpool but substitute Tom Eaves smashed home late on to salvage a point for the Tigers and avoid a fourth straight defeat.
However, they are winless in nine games since winning on the opening day.
Middlesbrough secured a much-needed win as first half goals from Duncan Watmore and Paddy McNair gave Neil Warnock’s side a 2-0 win over Sheffield United.
The win eased the pressure that had befallen Warnock in recent weeks while United’s 24-year wait for a win on Teesside continues.
Preston North End and Stoke City played out a 1-1 draw at Deepdale; Nick Powell’s early opener was cancelled out by Ben Whiteman shortly before the break.
The result leaves the Potters firmly in the playoff places while Preston’s inability to win games sees them in 15th after their fifth successive draw.
Two goals for Ilias Chair gave QPR a much-needed boost with a 2-0 win over Birmingham City.
After three consecutive defeats, Mark Warburton’s side took a fortuitous lead; Chair’s effort deflecting off Marc Roberts for the opener. But after Lyndon Dykes set him away on 64 minutes, he had the simple task of slotting away to send his side eighth.
Bournemouth drop points; Mitrovic nets hat-trick; Forest out of the bottom three
On Wednesday night, AFC Bournemouth missed the opportunity to return to the top of the league, only managing a 0-0 draw with Peterborough United.
Both sides were limited to half chances and neither goalkeeper was truly tested as the Posh maintained an impressive home start to the season.
Aleksandr Mitrovic starred for Fulham as they maintained their strong start to the season, winning 3-1 at home to Swansea City.
The Serbian’s first half hat-trick was enough to sink Russell Martin’s Swansea, who could only muster a single shot on target; Jamie Paterson’s goal was not enough to prevent the Cottagers getting their first win in four.
Three goals in 20 second half minutes saw Nottingham Forest jump out of the relegation places with a 3-1 comeback victory at Barnsley, who dropped to 21st in the table.
🤩 How about that then, Reds? 🔥
🌳🔴 #NFFC pic.twitter.com/HRsX0uyI51
— Nottingham Forest FC (@NFFC) September 29, 2021
After Cauley Woodrow’s first half penalty, Steve Cooper’s side fired back with goals from Philip Zinckernagel, Brennan Johnson and substitute Lewis Grabban – their first win under Cooper’s stewardship.
Coventry City’s blistering start to the season came to a screeching halt as they were battered 5-0 by Luton Town.
Two goals apiece for Elijah Adebayo and Harry Cornick, alongside a Luke Berry effort very much did for Mark Robins’ men who miss the opportunity to go join the top two on 22 points.
Jed Wallace was once again the man to step up for Millwall; the forward scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot to claim a 1-0 win at home to Bristol City.
Having drawn six of their previous nine league matches, the win was a welcome one that hauls them back into a congested mid-table.
Derby County got themselves back into positive points by beating Reading 1-0 at Pride Park. Craig Forsyth hadn’t scored for five years, but came up with a vital header on 33 minutes to put the Rams within seven points of safety following their deduction for going into administration.
104 games since Craig Forsyth last scored, but well worth the wait 🥰
Back-to-back home wins thanks to this fine header! 😁#DCFC
— Derby County (@dcfcofficial) September 29, 2021
How it stands
West Brom are back top of the table on goal difference ahead of Bournemouth, while Fulham are up to third. Coventry, Stoke and Blackburn make up the rest of the play-off positions despite all failing to win in midweek.
Derby’s win gets them into positive numbers again; seven points off safety. Peterborough and Hull also lie in the bottom three.
The updated table#EFL | #SkyBetChampionship pic.twitter.com/PmddcuZkCn
— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) September 29, 2021
