Prolific Pukki fires Canaries back to the top
Two-goal Teemu Pukki maintained his outstanding recent scoring form as Norwich thrashed struggling Bolton 4-0 to move back to the top of the table.
The striker netted for a sixth-successive game as Daniel Fa r k e’s side returned to winning ways to replace Leeds United – who have a game in hand – at the summit.
Pukki then tur ned provider for German midfielder Marco Stiepermann as Norwich recovered in style from a 3 - 1 mi d we e k defeat at Preston.
Emiliano Buendia added a t h i rd nine minutes from half- time and – but for a couple of saves by City old boy Remi Matthews – Wa n d e r e r s’ interval deficit could have been even greater.
Pukki bagged a fourth in the second half, while Kenny Mclean saw a penalty saved by Matthews to deny the East Anglian outfit what would have been a wellmerited fifth goal.
Sheffield Un i t e d moved up to second with a ruthless 4- 0 victory at home to Reading.
Kieron Freeman’s goal after 38 seconds set the tone for what was a most authoritative display from Chris Wilder’s side.
United soon made it two when Gary Madine scored his first goal for the club, before the Cardiff loan signing battered in his second after 44 minutes.
John Fleck’s deflected strike after 49 minutes added further lustre to a scoreline which was an accurate reflection of a one-sided encounter.
Sheffield Wednesday scored in the 10th minute of time added on to claim a 2- 2 draw they barely deserved at Rotherham.
The Millers were on course to end 43 years of Wednesday domination in their own patch after goals from Jon Taylor and Richie To w e l l overturned Fernando Forestieri’s opener.
But with referee Darren England allowing play to continue well past the allotted eight minutes of additional time, Dominic Ior fa converted from close range to steal a point for We d n e s d a y , with Forestieri getting sent off for receiving two yellow cards in the aftermath.
Ipswich remain nine points from safety at the bottom of the table despite Will Keane’s goal in added time securing a 1- 1 draw with Stoke at Portman Road.
A dreadful mix- up in the Town six- yard box between centre- back Jo n a s Knudsen and goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski led to James Mcclean putting the Potters ahead in the 42nd minute.
But Keane struck at the death to leave Stoke winless on the road since October last year.
Nottingham Forest’s play-off hopes suffered a dent after they were held to a 0-0 draw at Preston.
Alex Milosevic, Joe Lolley and Yo h a n Benalouane all had opportunities for the visitors, while Lewis Grabban and Lolley had goals ruled out.