MITRO TOPS CHARTS BUT CHERRIES TOP TABLE
mARCo sILVA believes star striker Aleksandar mitrovic is far more than ‘just a scorer’. The serb tops the Championship charts with 12 goals and scored two headers in FULHAM’S 4-1 humbling of QPR. But head coach silva appreciates him for his other attributes, too. ‘He is a very important player for us,’ silva said. ‘If you create well he will score goals, like he did here. But he is not just a player who scores goals. I see him working hard for his team, too.’ BOURNEMOUTH restored their three-point advantage at the top with a 2-0 win at BRISTOL CITY which they dedicated to David Brooks. The Wales midfielder, 24, announced last week that he has been diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma. Both sets of fans at Ashton Gate applauded in the seventh minute — seven being Brooks’ squad number — and Bournemouth’s players held up his shirt when Jamal Lowe poked home their opener, ‘Brooksy is loved and it was touching to see the opposition fans clap and cheer when we scored,’ said Cherries boss scott Parker. ‘That performance was for him.’ David mcGoldrick inspired a late SHEFFIELD UNITED comeback against STOKE CITY with a goal and an assist for Lys mousset after trailing to Jacob Brown’s opener. ‘We were exceptional for 85 per cent of the game and I think this is a massive result for us,’ said Blades boss slavisa Jokanovic. ‘Psychologically we have not been good for months or years.’ The pressure is increasing on BARNSLEY boss markus schopp after four straight defeats. The latest loss was inflicted by READING thanks to John swift’s eighth goal of the season.
LEAGUE ONE
Leaders PLYMOUTH responded to an early goal from OXFORD’s matty Taylor with a double from Panutche Camara and a Jordan Garrick strike. ‘We showed a lot of character. Camara could have had a hat-trick,’ said Argyle manager Ryan Lowe. Adebayo Akinfenwa, aged 39, shook off the cobwebs and marked his first League start since February with the second goal as WYCOMBE won 2-0 at DONCASTER. ‘Bayo knows his minutes will be limited this season,’ said boss Gareth Ainsworth. ‘But he showed there’s plenty of football in him.’ Ten-man SUNDERLAND reacted to Elliot Embleton’s red card with a 2-1 win at GILLINGHAM, the goals coming from Aiden o’Brien and ex-Gills defender Tom Flanagan.
Black Cats manager Lee Johnson is considering an appeal against the sending off, saying: ‘The referee deemed it a high challenge. Not sure if we can appeal it, but the players can be proud of themselves.’
LEAGUE TWO
What a wait for micky mellon’s TRANMERE. Fourth-placed Rovers scored their first away goal of the season — thanks to a CARLISLE own goal through Rod mcDonald — and then missed a penalty in their 1-0 win. ‘It’s nice to get that out of the way in the League,’ said mellon. Top versus bottom saw leaders FOREST GREEN beat SCUNTHORPE 2-0. scunthorpe boss Neil Cox was seething after a controversial penalty decision. ‘When you see it back, it’s a scandal,’ snapped Cox after Jamille matt’s spot-kick was followed by a goal from Ebou Adams.