Championship Review – Matchday 38

Norwich City have extended their lead at the top of the Championship after beating Rotherham United by two goals to one at the New York Stadium.

Kenny McLean put the Canaries ahead on the stroke of half-time, only for Semi Ajayi to draw the Millers level though Ben Godfrey restored the leaders’ advantage shortly after.

The win was the eighth in nine attempts for Daniel Farke’s side, who managed to move four points clear at the summit after Leeds United were beaten by Sheffield United.

Chris Basham scored the only goal of the game at Elland Road, and it was enough to see the Blades leapfrog Marcelo Bielsa’s men into second place.

Narrow

There was also just the one goal at Griffin Park, where West Bromwich Albion began life after Darren Moore with victory over Brentford.

Kyle Edwards netted six minutes into the second half, with the result putting the Baggies ten points clear of seventh place, and seven behind the automatic promotion spots.

Aston Villa made it four wins on the spin with a comprehensive victory over Middlesbrough, and in doing so move into the play-off places – one point behind the North East side who have lost their last three.

A last-ditch goal from Sean Maguire was enough to see Preston North End edge past Birmingham City, and to within touching distance of the top six while Sheffield Wednesday are just two points further back after they beat Blackburn Rovers 4-2 at Hillsborough.

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Steven Fletcher, Atdhe Nuhiu, Dominic Iorfa and Marco Matias were all on the scoresheet as the Owls extended their unbeaten run under Steve Bruce.

It’s been over two months since Wednesday tasted defeat in the league, so you may be tempted to back them to finish in the top six at 16/1.

Nottingham Forest have slipped to eleventh place after only managing to pick up a point at Portman Road, with Ipswich Town now thirteen from safety while Hull City squandered a two-nil lead at home to Queens Park Rangers – the game finishing all square.

Tally

Jared Bowen took his season’s tally to twenty-one league goals with a first half brace, though strikes from Josh Scowen and Tomer Hemed gave Steve McClaren’s men a share of the spoils.

There were no goals at the Bet 365 Stadium where Stoke City faced Reading while there were seven at the DW, with Wigan Athletic triumphing over Bolton Wanderers.

The Latics were three-up by fifty-five minutes, with Gary O’Neil giving the Trotters hope just past the hour mark.

However, the hosts’ three-goal advantage was soon restored by Michael Jacobs, with Leon Clarke concluding the scoring just after Sammy Ameobi had pulled another back.

Wigan are now three points clear of the drop zone, while Bolton sit eight from safety.