TERRIERS TOPPLE ‘BAD’ BRIGHTON
BRIGHTON fluffed the chance to extend their lead at the top of the Championship to four points on Thursday night – and left manager Chris Hughton fuming.
The Seagulls crashed to a 3-1 defeat at fifth-placed Huddersfield and had centre-back Lewis Dunk sent off for two bookable offences.
Tommy Smith, Nahki Wells – with his 100th goal in English football – and Elias Kachunga were on target for the Terriers, with Tomer Hemed netting for Brighton.
“Every now and again you get a real bad one, and that was a real bad one,” said Seagulls boss Hughton.
“We were nowhere near the levels you need to play any game in this division. We need to be far better.”
Second-placed Newcastle had missed the chance to go back to the top on Wednesday.
Levelled
The Magpies had thrashed QPR 6-0 at Loftus Road in September, but this time had to settle for a 2-2 draw.
A repeat looked on the cards when Jonjo Shelvey scored in the first minute, but the R’s levelled just before the break through Conor Washington.
Rafa Benitez’s men regained the lead early in the second half with a Matt Ritchie goal, but there was late drama when Toon defender Ciaran Clark headed a last-minute own goal to earn the visitors a point.
Leeds remained in fourth place after a 2-1 win at Blackburn. Pontus Jansson headed an 89th-minute winner after Stuart Dallas’ opener had been cancelled out by Elliott Bennett.
Burton Albion played their first match following boss Nigel Clough’s decision to turn down a move to Nottingham Forest, but Fulham spoiled the party with a 2-0 win, courtesy of Stefan Johansen and Scott Malone.
Meanwhile, Brentford showed there is life after Scott Hogan with a thumping 3-0 win against Aston Villa at Griffin Park last Tuesday, Striker Hogan moved to Villa for £12m on transfer deadline day, but Brentford didn’t let that affect them as they pummelled Villa.
Danish international Lasse Vibe struck twice and Nico
Yennaris got the other to shock Steve Bruce’s Villa.
It was also a good night for third-placed Reading, who kept the pressure on the top two with a hard-fought 1-0 win at out-of-sorts Birmingham City.
John Swift netted a 77thminute winner to earn Jaap Stam’s men all three points and leave Blues boss Gianfrano still searching for his first win after ten games in charge.
Bristol City didn’t get a victory, but at least they ended a club record run of league defeats at eight by holding
Sheffield Wednesday to a 2-2 draw at Ashton Gate.
Fernando Forestieri and Ross Wallace twice put the Owls ahead, but City hit back through a Lee Tomlin penalty and Tammy Abraham to earn a share of the spoils.
Impressive
Wednesday’s failure to earn maximum points allowed Steve McClaren’s in-form Derby County to climb above them and into the play-off places on goal difference.
The Rams eased to a comfortable 3-0 win at Ipswich with goals from Craig Bryson, Tom Ince and Darren Bent in the first half.
Wolves built on their magnificent FA Cup win at Liverpool at the weekend with an impressive 3-1 win at Barnsley, who had midfield debutant Alex Mowatt, a recent recruit from Leeds, sent off for a two-footed challenge.
The Tykes, who also had manager Paul Heckingbottom sent to the stands, were already 2-0 down when Mowatt received his red on 42 minutes.
Kortney Hause and Dave Edwards puts Wolves in charge and Edwards then added a 77th-minute third to seal victory. Marc Roberts netted a consolation for Barnsley.
Neil Warnock’s Cardiff saw off the challenge of Preston North End with first-half goals from Peter Whittingham (penalty) and birthday boy Ken Zohore, who turned 23, while Nottingham Forest also enjoyed a 2-0 success. Britt Assombalonga bagged a double, one from the spot, as Forest beat basement side Rotherham United.