Championship roundup: Junior Stanislas lands Bournemouth on top
Bournemouth jumped into top spot in the Championship on Tuesday night after a 68th minute goal from Junior Stanlislas gave them a 1-0 home win against Wycombe Wanderers. The victory put them ahead of Norwich, who play at Reading on Wednesday, on goal difference.
Wycombe, who are firmly in the relegation zone, had Alex Pattison sent off with a straight red for a dangerous challenge on Lewis Cook just four minutes before Stanislas’s goal, which came from close-range after he latched on to a David Brooks cross. Stanislas has now scored six goals in six Championship games.
Until the sending off Wycombe had looked bright but they have now not had a win in nine league matches.
At Vicarage Road Watford rose into third place above Swansea on the back of a close-fought 1-1 draw against Brentford, who had to play with ten men for most of the second-half – Ethan Pinnock having been sent off in the 58th minute.
Ribeiro’s debut goal for Nottingham Forest and Lewis Grabban’s first of the season helped Chris Hughton’s side claim a precious 2-0 win over fellow strugglers Sheffield Wednesday.
Defender Ribeiro conjured up a precise finish to put the home side ahead within the first five minutes, while substitute Grabban made certain of victory in the 87th minute, as he made his first appearance since October following a hip injury.
Millwall brought their 10-match winless run in the Championship to an end with an easy 2-0 away victory at Bristol City.
The visitors went in front after 18 minutes when Tom Bradshaw’s 20-yard effort was deflected beyond City’s goalkeeper, Daniel Bentley. Former Derby County winger Mason Bennett made the game safe after half-time, curling superbly into the bottom corner to send his side up to 14th in the table.
City’s Famara Diédhiou was sent off in the 79th minute, only 20 minutes after having come on as a substitute after receiving two yellow cards on his 28th birthday.
Victor Adeboyejo scored the winner as Barnsley came from behind to beat Preston 2-1 and secure a third straight victory. Sean Maguire’s early goal gave Preston the lead at half-time before Alex Mowatt levelled early in the second-half. Adeboyejo then contributed the winning goal 10 minutes before the end after coming on as a substitute.
At Loftus Road Queens Park Rangers’ winless league run was extended to six matches as they took part in a goalless draw against Stoke City in which there were only four shots on target – two for each side.
Despite the lack of goalmouth action both managers appeared relatively happy. QPR’s Mark Warburton praised his players for“showing a lot of character” in the face of Stoke’s second-half pressure, while his opposite number Michael O’Neill said: “Overall I thought we had a lot of good play and looked assured at the back.”