Fan trouble mars derby cup clash
UGLY scenes marred Burnley’s 2-0 win at Ewood Park after a Blackburn supporter clashed with visiting players on the pitch.
Jack Cork headed in a cross from Robbie Brady in the 27th minute, prompting a Rovers fan to run onto the field and confront Burnley’s goalscorer.
The resulting skirmish involved Clarets midfielder Ashley Westwood and a second home fan entered the field before they were eventually apprehended and arrested.
Before the match, windows were smashed on coaches carrying the 5,000 Burnley fans to the ground as trouble flared between the local rivals.
Brady scored a second goal for Sean Dyche’s side in first-half injury-time with a fierce shot as Burnley took the bragging rights in the East Lancashire derby.
Diafra Sakho made a perfect return to West Ham’s starting line-up with a goal and an assist as Slaven Bilic’s side eased past League Two Cheltenham 2-0.
Sakho had not started since last November because of hamstring and back injuries but he scored the Hammers’ opener from a Mark Noble pass and laid on the second for Andre Ayew before half-time.
It was a welcome relief for Bilic, who made seven changes after back-to-back defeats at the start of their Premier League campaign.
James Collins almost added a third with a header that flew just over the bar after the
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break before Mohamed Eisa and Dan Holman went close for the hosts.
Captain Joe Allen took star billing as Stoke powered past League One Rochdale 4-0.
The Wales midfielder – Potters skipper for the first time – scored two goals and added an assist before being replaced at the break by Darren Fletcher.
Allen started the rout with a 16th-minute deflected diving header to leave keeper Brendan Moore stranded from Erik Pieters’ cross.
Peter Crouch tapped home the second from Allen’s centre following Bojan’s pass. And three minutes before half-time Allen swept in after Bojan again spread play for Pieters to cross.
Stoke proved far too strong for the visitors with Ramadan Sobhi racing clear and taking the ball round the keeper to seal their victory with 10 minutes to go.
Premier League high-fliers Huddersfield had to come from behind to beat Yorkshire rivals Rotherham 2-1.
The League One side took the lead inside the opening minute when Anthony Forde’s cross was headed in by Semi Ajayi.
But David Wagner’s men turned it around with two goals in three minutes early in the second half.
First Philip Billing converted from the penalty spot, before Joe Lolley added the finishing touch to a flowing move in the 54th minute.