With the international break over, the EFL Championship is back! Here is a round-up of all the action from GameWeek 12.
Friday’s Action
Cotterill’s Blues reign begins perfectly
New Birmingham City boss Steve Cotterill began life strongly at St.Andrew’s, as the Blues beat table-toppers Cardiff City 1-0.
Che Adams scored the only goal of the game on the 19th minute, to give the Midlands side all three-points. It is the ideal start to life as Birmingham manager for Cotterill.
Bristol City rue missed chances
Bristol City were left ruing their missed opportunities, as they were held to a 0-0 against Burton Albion.
While Cardiff were beaten by Birmingham, this was the Robins chance to close the gap on the top, however Lee Johnson’s side shall feel disappointed, to only come away with a point.
Saturday’s Action
Bolton finally win at last
Bolton Wanderers finally won for the first time this season, as they beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 at the Macron Stadium.
Sammy Ameobi scored inside the opening ten minutes, to give the Trotters a 1-0 lead. Their lead then doubled thanks to a Sam Hutchinson own-goal on the 61st minute. Kieran Lee scored a constellation for the Owls, however Bolton held on for their first three-points this season.
The Blades razor sharp once more
Sheffield United moved into 3rd, following a 1-0 victory over Ipswich Town.
Chris Basham scored the game’s only goal on the 49th minute, which saw the Blades walk away with all three-points, and move into joint leaders alongside Cardiff City and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Fulham fight-back
Fulham came from 2-0 down to salvage a 2-2 with Preston North End at Craven Cottage.
Jordan Hugil put Preston 1-0 with a tap-in, as Sean Maguire had a shot deflected off of him, which went in and made it 2-0 to Preston.
The final 15 minutes saw a remarkable revival from Fulham. Oliver Norwood threw the London side a life-line, as he converted from the spot to make it 2-1. Then in the 96th minute, Denis Odoi turned the ball in to rescue a late point for Fulham.
The Royals snatch three points from Leeds
Modou Barrow scored an 84th minute winner for Reading, as they beat Leeds United 1-0 at Elland Road.
In addition to a late Barrow goal, Royals keeper Vito Mannone saved an injury-time penalty, to hand the Yorkshire side their first home defeat of the season.
Wolves sit on top
Wolverhampton Wanderers sit comfortably at the top of the Championship, they beat Aston Villa 2-0.
Diogo Jota opened the scoring for Wolves on the 55th minute. Then Leo Bonatini sealed the game for Wanderers with a goal on the 71st minute.
Bees take London bragging rights
It was a derby win for Brentford, as they claimed the bragging rights courtesy of a 1-0 victory against Millwall at Griffin Park.
Romaine Sawyers’ 47th minute goal was enough to clinch the three-points for the Bees. However Neil Harris will be bitterly disappointed, as his side missed a late penalty, ultimately squandering the chance to snatch a point.
Action from elsewhere
At Oakwell Barnsley drew 2-2 with Middlesbrough. Just three minutes in and Ashley Fletcher headed into his own-net to give Barnsley a 1-0 lead. However it was Martin Braithwaite who volleyed Brough back on level terms. The Tykes were then in-front once more, McGeehan headed in Potts’ cross to make it 2-1.
Finally Britt Assombalonga ensured the visiting side of a point, as he leveled the score on the hour. The game finished all square at 2-2.
Sunderland earn a point
Aiden McGeady earned Sunderland a point with a 61st minute goal, as the Black Cats drew 1-1 with Queens Park Rangers.
Initially it was idrissa Sylla who headed QPR in-front on the 37th minute. However McGeady’s equalizer earned the North-East side a share of a point.
Norwich leave it very late
Nelson Oliveria’s 96th minute equalizer rescued a late point for Norwich City, which ultimately denied Hull City a win.
Nouha Dicko put the Tigers in-front just before the half-hour. In the second-half David Myler saw red after picking up a second yellow-card. But it was Oliveria’s late goal, which left Hull feeling gutted.
Sunday’s Action
Derby win the East-Midlands derby
In the East-Midlands derby, it was Derby County who claimed the commodity of bragging rights. The Rams beat arch-rivals Nottingham Forest 2-0 at Pride Park.
Matej Vydra fired Derby into a 1-0 with less than 24 seconds on the clock, as Gary Rowett’s men stormed the Forest defence.
Five minutes after half-time, former England international David Nugent fired the Rams into a 2-0 lead, after being played in by his strike partner Vydra.