Wolves close on promotion

WOLVES maintained their march towards the Premier League as the Championship leaders cruised to a 3-1 win against struggling Burton yesterday.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side moved six points clear of second-placed Cardiff and 13 ahead of third-placed Fulham in the race for automatic promotion.

Helder Costa gave Wolves the lead in the 15th minute at Molineux before Benik Afobe netted to double their advantage after 41 minutes.

Lloyd Dyer gave Burton hope on the stroke of halftime, but Wolves reestablished their two-goal advantage when Afobe grabbed his second in the 56th minute.

“This was the biggest mismatch in English football today,” said Burton manager Nigel Clough, whose side remain rooted in the relegation zone.

Aston Villa’s chances of catching their Midlands rivals suffered another blow as they lost 1-0 at relegation threatened Bolton.

Villa remain level on points with Fulham, who also missed the chance to close the gap on Cardiff as they squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with QPR at Craven Cottage.

Middlesbrough remain in the final playoff place following a 1-1 draw at Brentford.

Adama Traore put the visitors in front after 21 minutes, but Brentford were back on level terms when Lewis Macleod fired home his first goal for the club.

Brentford’s Romaine Sawyers was sent off in the closing minutes.

Milan Djuric’s header gave Bristol City a 1-0 win against Ipswich which moved them a point behind Middlesbrough.

Preston maintained their push for a top-six spot with a 2-0 win at Sunderland, who remain five points adrift of safety.

Birmingham drew level on points with fourth-bottom Barnsley following a 3-0 win against Hull.

Atdhe Nuhiu’s last-gasp goal handed Sheffield Wednesday a 2-1 win at Yorkshire rivals Leeds, who had equalised through Jay-Roy Grot after Nuhiu’s opener.

Norwich beat Reading 3-2 and Sheffield United drew 0-0 with Nottingham Forest. – AFP