Bonatini keeps Wolves on the promotion trail

LONDON: Wolverhampton Wanderers consolidated their position on top of the English Championship as Leo Bonatini’s brace secured a 3-2 win over Preston at Molineux.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side were in control as Bonatini added to Ivan Cavaleiro’s first-half opener with a 59th-minute penalty and a second from close-range five minutes later.

But Preston reduced the deficit within a minute through Jordan Hugill, before a Conor Coady own goal 12 minutes from time led to a frantic finale in which Preston’s Alan Browne was sent off.

Cardiff remain second, two points back, after a late Joe Ralls penalty proved enough to give Neil Warnock’s men a hard-fought 1- 0 win at Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Sheffield United are level on points with Cardiff after a 2-1 win over struggling Reading at Bramall Lane.

Leeds bounced back from three successive losses to end Bristol City’s run of 12 games unbeaten with an emphatic 3-0 win at Ashton Gate.

There was more woe for Sunderland who blew a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 at Brentford and extend their winless run to 11 games.

Bottom club Bolton were denied a second straight win as Idrissa Sylla’s 78th-minute strike salvaged a 1-1 draw for QPR at the Macron Stadium.

Derby capitalised on the fourth minute sending-off of Sheffield Wednesday’s Glenn Loovens to cruise to a 2-0 win at the iPro Stadium. — AFP