Championship Review – Matchday 9

West Bromwich Albion are the new leaders of the Championship after they beat Queens Park Rangers on Saturday afternoon.

The two sides went into the game level on points in fifth and sixth place respectively, but now have seven teams between them after goals from Nathan Ferguson and Matheus Pereira secured victory for the Baggies.

Mark Warbuton’s side, who were reduced to ten men late on may be down in ninth position, but could well find themselves top by next weekend with everyone set to play midweek.

Summit

Swansea City were moments away from a return to the summit though they had to settle for second spot after Andy Yiadom rescued a much needed point for Reading while Nottingham Forest enjoyed a brief spell in first place after coming from behind to beat struggling Stoke City on Friday evening.

Lee Gregory put the Potters ahead one ten minutes though strikes from Joe Lolley, Sammy Ameobi and Lewis Grabban turned the game completely on its head, with James McClean’s late effort proving to be no more than a consolation.

Nathan Jones’ side have slipped back to the foot of the table after Danny Cowley won his first point since being named Huddersfield Town’s manager.

Frazier Campbell put the Terriers ahead on twenty-four minutes, with Matt Smith levelling for opponents Millwall before the break, and the Lions managed to hold on for a point despite playing the last ten minutes with ten men after Shane Ferguson saw red.

Beaten

Barnsley remain in the bottom three after they were soundly beaten by Brentford at Oakwell – Ollie Watkins the hero with a hattrick after Cauley Woodrow had put the hosts in front inside the first minute.

Wigan Athletic sit just above the bottom three after losing at Fulham on Friday, while Middlesbrough are only a point better off than the Latics after they were soundly beaten at home by Sheffield Wednesday.

That’s now seven points from nine available to Garry Monk since he took the reins at Hillsborough, a run that sees the Owls a 5/1 shot for promotion.

Chance

Two sides who are yet to play in the Premier League but will both fancy their chances of at least a play-off place this term shared the points, and six goals at Deepdale – Preston North End and Bristol City in fifth and eighth respectively.

There was also a point a piece for Hull City and Cardiff City, who drew 2-2 at the KCOM Stadium while Luton Town secured a fine win at Blackburn Rovers.

Charlton Athletic edged past title favourites Leeds United while Derby County ended an appalling week off the pitch with victory over Birmingham City, though they made hard work of it.

The Rams were two goals up five minutes into the second half but a quick fire double saw the Blues level before Jamie Paterson made sure of the points on seventy-four minutes.