Championship wrap: Top two continue winning form

Brighton and Southampton maintained their places in the Championship’s top two with wins on Saturday, while Leeds also won.

Leaders Brighton claimed a 1-0 away win over Bristol City at Ashton Gate Stadium, with Ashley Barnes scoring the winner in the 80th minute.

The promoted club maintained a slender one-point advantage over fellow promoted outfit Southampton, who battled to a 3-2 home win over Nottingham Forest.

Rickie Lambert scored a hat-trick for Saints in the victory, netting two in the first half, before breaking the 2-2 deadlock on 82 minutes to please the St Mary’s Stadium faithful.

Leeds United fought back from a deficit to salute 3-2 over Crystal Palace at Elland Road, with a Ross McCormack brace sandwiching a goal to Lucciano Becchio on return from injury for the hosts.

West Ham United opened their winning account at home this term with a pulsating 4-3 win over Portsmouth, as both sides finished with 10 men.

Mark Noble broke a 2-2 deadlock in the 72nd minute from the penalty spot, before Carlton Cole made sure of the result five minutes later.

Greg Halford scored a consolation penalty for the visitors in the seventh minute of injury time – which was not enough for Steve Cotterill’s men.

Cardiff City deepened Doncaster Rovers’ woes with a 2-0 win at Cardiff City Stadium, courtesy of second-half goals to Anthony Gerrard and Robert Earnshaw – ensuring Rovers continued to prop up the table in 24th spot.

Ipswich Town conceded 14 goals in their first five games – the most of any team in the league by five – and Blackpool added two more to that tally in a 2-0 victory at Bloomfield Road.

Gary Taylor-Fletcher and Barry Ferguson were on target for the Seasiders.

Middlesbrough marched into third spot on the table with a 2-0 away win over Burnley at Turf Moor, with Nick Bailey and Joe Bennett on the scoresheet for Tony Mowbray’s men.

In other results, Watford accounted for Reading 2-0 away from home, while Hull were also victorious on the road in a 1-0 result over Peterborough.

Leicester City held Barnsley to a 1-1 stalemate away at Oakwell Stadium.