With the Sky Bet Championship now heading into it’s final nine games, last night’s results had an impact for teams at the top and bottom of England’s second tier.
Wolves added further consolidation to their automatic promotion spot and bounced back from a weekend defeat to Midlands rivals Aston Villa as they comfortably beat Reading 3-0 at home.
Goals from Matt Doherty in either half put the hosts on their way to victory before Benik Afobe added a third for the Sky Bet Championship leaders. However it was not all positive news for the League leaders as top-scorer Diogo Jota limped off before half-time.
Meanwhile, opposition to Jaap Stam’s management of Reading continues to grow as the Royals’ winless run extended to eight games.
Cardiff City maintained pressure for the top-spot on Wolves with a 3-1 win on the road at Brentford. The London side took the lead through Neal Maupay but goals from Sol Bamba and Callum Paterson gave the visitors a half-time lead. Kenneth Zohore made it 3-1 shortly after the break.
The play-offs are now eight points away for the Bees, while Cardiff City extended their lead over Aston Villa to seven points.
The Villains fell to a 3-1 home defeat to QPR. The London side won for just the third time when away from home. Goals from Ryan Manning and Jake Bidwell gave the visitors a half-time lead before Luke Freeman added a third on 82 minutes. James Chester scored a mere consolation with two minutes left on the clock. That results leaves the R’s a comfortably sixteen points above the relegation zone.
Sheffield United moved closer to the Sky Bet Championship play-off spaces with a win over relegation threatened Burton Albion. The Brewers are now three points adrift of 21st-placed Barnsley. Enda Stevens put the hosts ahead before David Brooks sealed a third win in six games.
Hull City moved nine points clear of the relegation zone with a 3-0 win over an out-of-sorts Ipswich Town side. The Blues fell behind to Markus Henriksen‘s 25-yard shot before Harry Wilson‘s volley made it 2-0 before the break. Jarrod Bowen added a third in the second half as Town’s supporters’ frustration with Mick McCarthy was increased.
A 1-1 draw for Barnsley was enough to extend their gap over the relegation places as they shared the points with Norwich City. The hosts took the lead just before the break as Oli McBurnie steered home at the near post, but Josh Murphy scored for the Canaries to extend the Tykes’ winless home run to ten games.
Full Results:
Aston Villa 1-3 QPR
Barnsley 1-1 Norwich City
Brentford 1-3 Cardiff City
Sheffield United 2-0 Burton Albion
Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-0 Reading
