The EFL Championship returned to action this weekend after the International break. Here is a round-up of this weekend’s results and action.
Friday Night’s Action
Derby County picked up three points, as they beat Queens Park Rangers 1-0 at Pride Park. Striker Matej Vydra scored the winner for the Rams. Derby now sit 10th, as QPR remain 15th in the table.
Rest Of The Weekend’s Action
The Yorkshire Derby between Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday ended 1-1. Former Tykes striker Sam Winnall scored for the Owls against his former club, however, it was Angus MacDonald who rescued a point for Barnsley in stoppage time. That result sees Sheffield Wednesday drop out of the playoffs whilst Barnsley slip to 13th. Aston Villa beat visitors Norwich City 2-0. That result appears to have ended the Canaries hopes of making the playoffs. Villa now sit 11th and City now perched on 9th, seven points off the play-offs.
League leaders Newcastle United took one step closer back to the Premier League with a 2-1 win over relegation-threatened Wigan Athletic. Goals from Dwight Gayle and Matt Richie helped the Magpies claim another three points. United remain at the top while the Latics are now seven points adrift of safety. Elsewhere Huddersfield Town suffered a stutter, as Burton Albion won 1-0 at the John Smith Stadium. Huddersfield remains in 3rd while the Brewers are now four points clear of safety.
Brighton & Hove Albion also took another step closer to the Premier League with a 1-0 win over Blackburn Rovers. Glenn Murray scored the winner for seagulls, as they are now nine points clear of Huddersfield Town in third. On the other hand, Rovers remain in the drop-zone in 22nd. At Deepdale, Preston North-End were held to a 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest. That point could be priceless as Forest now sit just above the drop-zone, whereas Preston sit comfortably in 8th.
Rotherham United Relegated
At the bottom, Rotherham United were condemned to relegation from the EFL Championship, following a 1-0 home defeat to Fulham. The Millers have yet to reach 20 points this season, as they have endured a nightmare campaign, now capped off with relegation. On the other hand, Fulham are now in the playoffs as they sit sixth, a point ahead of Sheffield Wednesday.
Finally, in the all play-off clash at the Madjeski Stadium it was Reading who took the three points. The Royals defeated Leeds United. Both sides now 4th and 5th respectively. At Portman Road, Ipswich Town and Birmingham City share the spoils. The game ended 1-1 with both sides perched in mid-table at this point in the season. In the midlands, a vastly improving Wolverhampton Wanderers collected another three points by beating Cardiff City 3-1 at home. Wolves are now eight points clear of the drop-zone, Cardiff now sit 14th.
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