Championship Review: Wolves stay top as Terry scores for Villa

Championship leaders Wolves held off a late fightback from Preston North End to stay top of the table, while John Terry opened his account for Aston Villa in a 2-1 win over Fulham.

Cardiff City and Sheffield United kept up the pressure on Wolves with victories over Reading and Middlesbrough respectively, while Leeds moved up to fourth by beating Bristol City 3-0 in a game where both sides finished with 10 men.

At the other end of the table, Sunderland remain second bottom, having been pegged back to a 3-3 draw in a thrilling encounter at Brentford, and basement boys Bolton Wanderers were denied a second win of the campaign by Queens Park Rangers.

BONATINI AT THE DOUBLE AS WOLVES MARCH ON

Leo Bonatini’s quickfire second-half double, the first coming from the penalty spot, put Wolves in complete control against Preston after Ivan Cavaleiro opened the scoring from close range on the stroke of half-time.

Three goals in five minutes at Molineux leaves it 3-1 to Wolves. Leo Bonatini’s penalty – Wolves’ second – in picture form.

pic.twitter.com/tQZyRCArKO

— Wolves (@Wolves) October 21, 2017

But Jordan Hugill headed Preston back into the contest and Conor Coady’s own-goal set up the prospect of a grandstand finish, one that was tempered somewhat by the visitors’ midfielder Alan Browne collecting a second booking in stoppage time.

Cardiff left it late to edge past Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium – Joe Ralls converting an 84th-minute penalty after Adama Traore brought down Nathaniel Mendez-Laing.

Sheffield United are also two points behind Wolves on 27 and appeared in a good deal more comfort thanks to first-half goals from Paul Coutts and Billy Sharp against Reading, although Roy Beerens’ goal five minutes from time made them sweat.

CAPTAIN, LEADER, GOALSCORER

As he did so many times for Chelsea, Terry got on the end of a corner to open the scoring against west London’s other major club.

#AVFC 1-0 #FFC – MATCH PICS…

We’re ahead after JT’s first goal for the club. Hourihane, Kodjia & Onomah also go close.#PartOfThePride pic.twitter.com/1e1mCCOh8m

— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) October 21, 2017

As he did so many times for Chelsea, Terry got on the end of a corner to open the scoring against west London’s other major club.

Fulham levelled through Stefan Johansen’s curling free-kick but Albert Adomah sent Villa up to fifth – one place above Bristol City after Leeds enjoyed themselves at Ashton Gate.

A run of three consecutive defeats for Thomas Christiansen’s men never looked like being extended after Samuel Saiz made it eight for the season with a double inside the opening 14 minutes.

Pierre-Michel Lasogga converted Kalvin Phillips’ 67th-minute corner and a clash between Leeds’ Gaetano Berardi and City’s Matty Taylor resulted in both men heading for the showers early.

Derby are two points outside the play-off places thanks to a 2-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday.

big points
straight home wins
Derby County pic.twitter.com/kvX3ytJY83

— Derby County (@dcfcofficial) October 21, 2017

Matej Vydra’s seventh of the season came from the penalty spot in the fifth minute, with Glenn Loovens sent off for fouling the goalscorer.

Substitute Bradley Johnson sealed victory late on, while the Rams’ East Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest beat Burton Albion by the same scoreline.

BRENTFORD BATTLE BACK AGAINST LOWLY SUNDERLAND

Lewis Grabban’s double either side of a David Bentley own goal had Sunderland 3-1 to the good at Brentford, who led through Nico Yennaris.

45′ Limbs EVERYWHERE in the away end as @grabbs22 makes it 3-1 #SAFC!!!

HA’WAY THE LAAAADS!!! pic.twitter.com/nXBnnvPT4H

— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) October 21, 2017

But Florian Jozefzoon scored spectacularly early in the second period and Neal Maupay’s deflected shot ensured Simon Grayson’s troubled side could not get over the line, much like Bolton.

The bottom side edge on to six points after Idrissa Sylla cancelled out Darren Pratley’s first-half header.

Elsewhere, Hull City claimed their first away win in more than a year – 1-0 at Barnsley thanks to Fraizer Campbell.