Kompany’s crowded out as Rangers take top spot
VINCENT KOMPANY saw Burnley’s hopes of grabbing top spot extinguished as his side could only draw 1-1 at Birmingham.
The Clarets were one of three clubs with their eyes on leaping to the summit last night, along with QPR and Sheffield United.
Kompany’s men went into the game on a 12-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
It took a left-footed shot from Burnley’s Johann Gudmundsson to break the deadlock on 74 minutes. But Scott Hogan struck back for Blues six minutes later. They have still not beaten Burnley for nearly 10 years, but stopped them going top.
In the end it was QPR, beating 10-man Cardiff 3-0, who grabbed that chance.
The Bluebirds saw defender Jack Simpson sent off as he conceded a 19th-minute penalty. Lyndon Dykes made it 1-0 to hosts Rangers from the spot.
Dykes was on target again just after the half-hour mark, heading home a cross from the lively Ilias Chair. Then Kenneth Paal’s header from a tough angle on 74 minutes made the points safe.
Blackpool were thumped 3-1 by visitors Hull. Ryan Longman opened the scoring for the Tigers on 27 minutes, with goalline technology coming to his aid.
Kenny Dougall levelled soon after, with a cool back-post finish. But the visitors went in 2-1 up at half-time thanks to Greg Docherty’s unstoppable strike from range.And Regan Slater’s deflected effort late on wrapped up the points. Coventry are in a false position in the table – issues with their pitch mean they have played at least three games fewer than everyone else. They made up some ground with a 1-0 defeat of Sheffield United. Martyn Waghorn’s penalty with three minutes left was enough. Wigan where beaten 4-1 by visitors Middlesbrough after having broken the deadlock on 33 minutes with a Will Keane header from James McClean’s corner.
Boro fans chanted the name of manager-in-waiting Michael Carrick and saw Isaiah Jones level from close-range just before half-time. Provider Duncan Watmore struck early in the second half to make it 2-1 to Boro, pouncing from the edge of the six-yard box.
Then Hayden Hackney unleashed a long-range missile past the despairing Ben Amos for 3-1. Chuba Akpom made it four with a 69th-minute penalty.