Championship wrap: Southampton continue stunning start

Southampton regained sole lead of the Championship with a 4-0 win over Watford as Middlesbrough were held to their third-straight draw.

The Saints continued their stunning return to the Championship on Saturday, demolishing Watford at St Marys to move two points clear of Middlesbrough at the top of the table.

After taking just one point from their last two matches, Rickie Lambert converted from the penalty spot after 22 minutes to give Southampton the perfect start.

Lambert scored a second from the penalty spot 10 minutes into the second half, before Guilherme and Lee Holmes also found the back of the net as the hosts romped to victory.

Boro slipped two points behind the leaders after they were held 0-0 away to Reading, while a late goal from John Carew salvaged a 2-2 draw for West Ham on their trip to Crystal Palace.

Nick Barmby scored the winner as Hull City moved into the top six with a 2-1 win over Cardiff City, while Leeds United kept their first clean sheet in 17 matches as they beat Portsmouth 1-0.

Blackpool hammered Bristol City 5-0 at Bloomfield Road, with Daniel Bogdanovic scoring a brace and Gary Taylor-Fletcher, Jonjo Shelvey and Brett Ormerod also getting on the scoresheet.

Ipswich Town extended Brighton’s winless run to four matches, coming from behind to win 3-1 at Portman Road Stadium.

Jay Rodriguez scored the only goal as Burnley won 1-0 away at Millwall, while Doncaster Rovers moved out of the relegation zone courtesy of a 2-1 win away to Peterborough United.

Andy Gray scored a double as Barnsley extended their unbeaten run to eight matches with a 2-0 win over Coventry City.