Cardiff extend surge

CARDIFF CITY cemented top spot in the Championship as the surprise pace-setters won 2-1 against Queens Park Rangers, while second-placed Ipswich Town were beaten 2-0 by Fulham yesterday.

Neil Warnock’s Cardiff have emerged as unlikely promotion contenders in the early weeks of the season after a forgettable mid-table finish last term.

They fell behind in south Wales when Matt Smith headed home from Luke Freeman’s 15th-minute cross.

But Nedum Onuoha’s under-hit backpass put goalkeeper Alex Smithies under pressure and his hurried attempted clearance cannoned off Junior Hoilett and into the net to draw Cardiff level in the 22nd minute.

Sol Bamba headed Cardiff in front in first-half stoppage-time as the Bluebirds celebrated their fifth league win in five attempts.

Ipswich also began the day with a 100% record, but that streak was halted by Fulham at Portman Road.

Neeskens Kebano headed the visitors in front on 35 minutes.

Kebano was also involved in the second just after the interval, his shot being saved by goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski only for the ball to fall to Rui Fonte to fire home from a narrow angle.

Barnsley joined Fulham on six points thanks to a 3-0 win over Sunderland, with two on-loan teenagers setting the home side on their way to a comfortable victory.

Chelsea loanee Ike Ugbo, 18, opened the scoring on 31 minutes and 19-year-old Harvey Barnes, who is on loan from Leicester City, made it 2-0 with a smart volley just four minutes later.

George Moncur rifled home from 12 yards midway through the second half and the visitors never looked like getting back into the contest.

Millwall clinched their first league win since last season’s promotion as Norwich City were thrashed 4-0 at the Den.

Lee Gregory scored the opener after 15 minutes and then teed up George Saville to make it 2-0, with Jed Wallace effectively putting the game to bed just before the interval.

Shaun Hutchinson’s header rubbed salt into the wounds for the Canaries faithful, who lost 4-2 at Aston Villa last week.

Sheffield United enjoyed their third home win of the season with a 3-1 victory over Derby County.

Reading secured their first away points of the season with a 2-0 success at Birmingham City thanks to goals from Jon Dadi Bodvarsson and George Evans.

Burton Albion and Sheffield Wednesday drew 1-1 at the Pirelli Stadium, while the games between Middlesbrough and Preston North End and Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers both finished goalless. – AFP