Bournemouth make strong start
AFC Bournemouth scored two goals in the last 13 minutes to move into the play-off places with a 2-0 away win at Birmingham City on Wednesday night.
In an uneventful first half the Cherries had the majority of the possession but it was the home side who created the only noteworthy chances.
In the second minute the industrious Tahith Chong had a shot saved for Blues, and fellow attacker Jonathan Leko had a couple of half chances saved or blocked.
Despite seeing a lot of the ball Bournemouth failed to create any first half chances at all and the game went into the break goalless.
Birmingham also started the second half as the better side but any chances that came were blocked by resolute Bournemouth defending.
The home side thought they had taken the lead in the 64th minute when striker Lukas Jutkiewicz headed in Maxime Colin’s cross but the goal was ruled out for offside.
From that moment on the visitors took control and after Phillip Billing shot wide in the 72nd minute, they went ahead 13 minutes from time when Dominic Solanke finished from a tight angle after reaching substitute Ben Pearson’s through-ball.
Despite the valiant efforts of the home side, the Cherries soaked up the pressure and scored a second goal three minutes from time when Jaidon Anthony fired into the roof of the net from Zeno Ibssen Rossi’s downward header to secure the points and lift Bournemouth into the top four and leave Birmingham in 14th.
West Brom thrash the Blades
In one of the evening’s other matches, West Bromwich Albion reached the top of the Championship with an impressive 4-0 home win over another of last season’s relegated sides, Sheffield United.
QPR win thriller
Queen’s Park Rangers came from a goal down to win 3-2 at Middlesbrough to climb into the top three despite a 50th minute sending off for Moses Odubajo. Chris Willock’s goal 14 minutes from time settled the game in their favour.
😅 𝗪𝗘’𝗩𝗘 𝗢𝗡𝗟𝗬 𝗚𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗜𝗧#QPR | #MIDQPR pic.twitter.com/dXJ2awzD0V
— QPR FC (@QPR) August 18, 2021
Good night for the away sides
Blackburn climbed into the play-off places and remain unbeaten with a 2-1 away win at Nottingham Forest, who remain without a point from their first three games, and in the evening’s other game Derby made it a good night for the away sides with a 1-0 win at Hull to lift the Rams into mid-table.
Tuesday’s results
On Tuesday, Huddersfield beat Preston 1-0 to leave the Lilywhites bottom of the Championship. Fulham won 2-1 at Milwall, while Aden Flint scored a stoppage time equaliser to score his second of the game as Cardiff came back from 2-0 down to draw at Peterborough.
Overview
After three games the top six all have seven points which reinforces the view that the Championship is one of the tightest and most competitive leagues in world football.
It’s @WBA and @FulhamFC in the top two with three games played!@QPR, @AFCBournemouth, @StokeCity and @Rovers occupy the Play-Off places… #EFL | #SkyBetChampionship pic.twitter.com/rElL0Hpyuw
— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) August 18, 2021
