Wolves restore 11-point lead as Derby and Villa win

LONDON: Wolverhampton Wanderers swept aside Sheffield United 3-0 to restore their 11-point lead at the top of the Championship after Derby and Aston Villa boosted their chances of grabbing the other automatic promotion spot.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s men set up their 21st victory of the season after taking the lead in the fifth minute through Ruben Neves, with Diogo Jota’s 13th goal of the season on the half hour doubling their advantage.

Ivan Cavaleiro’s late free-kick sealed the win after Blades goalkeeper Simon Moore had been sent off for a challenge just outside the area on Jota.

Earlier, Tom Huddlestone inspired Derby to a 3-0 victory over 10-man Brentford to keep them second in the table, scoring his first goal in 125 appearances and setting up the second.

Brentford midfielder Sergi Canos was sent off midway through the first half and Huddlestone, capped four times by England, made them pay moments later.

The former Hull midfielder then had a hand in creating Derby’s second goal, which was finished by Cameron Jerome in the 34th minute, while Matej Vydra added a late third with a penalty.

Aston Villa remain third, a point behind Derby, after beating bottom club Burton 3-2 to claim their sixth straight Championship victory.

Villa took the lead after 33 minutes when a fine team goal was finished by Scott Hogan and Albert Adomah made it 2-0 midway through the second half.