Championship Review – Matchday 22

There may have been no goals in Monday evening’s East Midlands Derby at Pride Park, but it was certainly a pulsating encounter, which could have easily fallen in favour of both Derby County and Nottingham Forest.

Tis the season for cards, and there were plenty with each side receiving three while they were both fairly evenly matched in terms of chances creating, with Forest’s Joe Lolley going closest as he hit the bar late on.

The result sees both sides stay three points apart, with Frank Lampard’s side three places better off in fourth while Aitor Karanka’s men sit just below the play-offs, a point behind sixth place Middlesbrough.

Rut

The North East side lost at Queens Park Rangers to extend their winless run in the league to four games, while they were knocked out of the League Cup on Tuesday evening with League Two Burton Albion upsetting the odds to make the last four of the competition.

A 1-0 win for Leeds United at Bolton Wanderers was enough to see them go back to the top of the table after Norwich City were held to a 2-2 draw at Bristol City in Saturday’s late kick-off.

Marco Steipermann put the Canaries in front on thirty-nine minutes only for Famara Diedhiou to level for the Robins just before the break.

Callum O’Dowda then put Lee Johnson’s men before Max Aarons equalised to give his side a share of the spoils.

West Bromwich Albion are up to third after coming from behind to beat Sheffield United at Bramall Lane in Friday evening’s fixture – the Blades slipping to fifth place.

Recovery

David McGoldrick put the hosts in front on twelve minutes though goals either side of half time from Gareth Barry and Kieran Gibbs turned the game on its head and secured the points for the Midlands side.

After a goalless first half both Aston Villa and Stoke City scored twice in the second to claim a point a piece from their clash at Villa Park while Swansea City are up to ninth after they came from behind to beat Sheffield Wednesday.

Blackburn Rovers and Birmingham City are both a point closer to the top six after playing out a 2-2 draw at Ewood Park while Preston North End’s good run continued with a 3-2 victory over Millwall.

Run

Alex Neil’s side have lost just one of their last twelve games after winning just one of their first ten, and their relegation fears look appear to be well behind them with their odds of dropping to League One out to a colossal 40/1.

Hull City made it four unbeaten after beating Brentford 2-0 at the KCOM Stadium while Reading and Rotherham United are both looking over their shoulders after they drew 1-1 in Yorkshire.

Finally, bottom-of-the-table Ipswich Town won for just the second time this season after they beat Wigan Athletic by a goal to nil at Portman Road.