Sweet result for Cherries as top-tier return moves closer
BOURNEMOUTH took another step towards a Premier League return with an efficient 3-0 win away to promotion rivals Huddersfield.
First-half goals by Jaidon Anthony and Jefferson Lerma put Bournemouth in control and top goalscorer Dominic Solanke added another after the break to close the gap on leaders Fulham, who have played one game more, to eight points.
Luton leapfrogged Huddersfield to go third with a 3-1 win at Hull.
Elijah Adebayo opened the scoring in the ninth minute after a fine run and he turned provider with 56 on the clock when he set up Harry Cornick for a tap-in.
James Bree wrapped up the points with a stunning free-kick midway through the second half before Tom Eaves netted a late consolation.
Sheffield United were the other big movers after they tasted success at home to Barnsley in one of the two early kick-offs.
The Yorkshire derby remained goalless until the 54th minute when Sander Berge tapped home before Morgan Gibbs-white sealed the 2-0 victory with 14 minutes to go.
Paul Heckingbottom’s side are now fifth after they extended their unbeaten home record to 10 games.
The other 12.30pm kick-off saw Tom Lawrence’s penalty earn Derby a point at home to Coventry after a hard-fought 1-1 draw.
A well-worked move enabled Matty Godden to fire the visitors ahead in the first half at Pride Park but Wayne Rooney’s men boosted their survival hopes with a leveller from the spot.
However, 21st-placed Reading clinched a vital 1-0 win over Blackburn to cast a cloud over the relegation-threatened sides in the bottom three as Josh Laurent fired home.
The Royals now hold a five-point advantage over Barnsley and are eight points ahead of Derby with games running out for the sides in the relegation zone.
Millwall’s faint promotion hopes were dealt a major blow after they lost 2-0 at Stoke.
Jacob Brown put the hosts in front with 19 minutes gone and ex-middlesbrough man George Saville’s own goal settled the result while Jed Wallace failed to convert a late penalty for the Lions.
Adam Reach’s stoppage-time equaliser for West Brom did little for their own play-off push following a 2-2 draw at Bristol City.
Nahki Wells saw his first-half opener cancelled out by Karlan Grant’s penalty for the visitors but Andreas Weimann’s 18th goal of the campaign appeared to have the Robins on course for all three points.
Reach was able to fire home in stoppage time to rescue a point for Steve Bruce’s men, but they stay 12th and are seven off the top six.
Mid-table clubs Swansea and Birmingham played out a goalless draw in Wales.