Brentford and Watford step up EPL promotion push with wins

LONDON: Brenford and Waford stepped up their bids for promotion to the Premier League with vital Championship victories on Wednesday.

Second placed Brenford ended a run of three successive defeats as they beat struggling Sheffield Wednesday 3-0.

Thomas Frank’s side took the lead in the 23rd minute when Bryan Mbeumo headed home from Sergi Canos’ shot.

In the 74th minute, Saman Ghoddos neted from Mbeumo’s pass.

Mads Bech Sorensen bagged Brenford’s third from a free-kick with six minutes let as they moved within seven points of leaders Norwich.

Third placed Waford are level with Brenford on 60 points ater they won 3-2 at Blackburn to record a fourth consecutive victory.

The Hornets took lead in the 25th minute through Joao Pedro’s lob, with Ismaila Sarr knocking in a second from close range shortly before half-time.

Rovers pulled a goal back ahead of the break when on-loan Liverpool teenager Harvey Elliot lashed home an angled effort in the 43rd minute.

Ken Sema drilled in a third for Waford just ater the hour.

Although Blackburn substitute Ben Brereton set up a tense final eight minutes when he pulled another goal back from a corner, Tony Mowbray’s men slipped to a fith straight league defeat.

Swansea remain in the automatic promotion shake-up ater a 1-0 win over Coventry at the Liberty Stadium.

They broke the deadlock when Ben Cabango headed in from a corner in the 54th minute.

Steve Cooper’s men sit fourth, a point behind Waford and Brenford and with two games in hand.

Cardiff won 2-1 at Bournemouth to move into the play-off places with a sixth successive victory under new boss Mick Mccarthy.

The Bluebirds were in front in the 27th minute when defender Sean Morrison nodded home from a corner.

Kieffer Moore added a second from the penalty spot in the 36th minute ater full-back Perry Ng had been fouled by Bournemouth midfielder Diego Rico.