Game week 26 of the Championship season provided plenty of goals, drama and incidents, as well as some important changes at the top and bottom of the table.
Reading thrashed Bolton Wanderers 7-1 in the pick of the day's results, moving into the playoff positions at the expense of Brighton & Hove Albion, who lost 1-0 to Derby County.
The bottom four in the table all managed to win, while Queens Park Rangers leapfrogged Burnley into the automatic promotion spots with a 2-1 victory over Huddersfield Town.
You can read how an exciting afternoon of Championship action unfolded with Sports Mole's live commentary below.
Good afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for our coverage of today's Championship matches. There is a full schedule on offer this afternoon, with 11 of the matches kicking off at 3pm, so we should be in for plenty of goals, drama and entertainment.
Before we go any further, let me quickly divert your attention to the day's early kickoff, which sees Leeds host league leaders Leicester at Elland Road. There are just five minutes left in that match and it is still goalless as things stand. You can follow the closing stages with us by clicking here.
Of course, as soon as I say that, Leicester go and score the opener! That will surely be the winner for the Foxes, who would move seven points clear for a few hours at least if it stays that way in the final few minutes.
That goal is bad new for Burnley, who currently sit second in the table. They take on Sheffield Wednesday in one of the most intriguing encounters on offer this afternoon, seemingly now looking to close the gap back to four points and stay in touch with Leicester at the top.
Should Burnley slip up, QPR will be looking to take advantage. They host Huddersfield Town at Loftus Road today and would move into the top two if they can win and Burnley fail to beat the Owls. There is plenty at stake for the teams at the top, then, and it is no different for the teams at the bottom. First things first, though, here are the 11 matches we will cover for you today...
CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES: Burnley vs. Sheffield Wednesday; Millwall vs. Ipswich; Nottingham Forest vs. Blackburn; Derby vs. Brighton; Barnsley vs. Blackpool; QPR vs. Huddersfield; Reading vs. Bolton; Doncaster vs. Wigan; Bournemouth vs. Watford; Middlesbrough vs. Charlton; Birmingham vs. Yeovil.
FULL TIME: Leeds United 0-1 Leicester City
The full-time whistle goes in the day's early kickoff, with Leicester stealing a late win to add more misery to Leeds' terrible recent form. To see what that does to the table, check out the updated version here. That is the state of play going into the 11 games kicking off at 3pm today.
BURNLEY VS. SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY: Starting are mini previews off is second-placed Burnley, who will be looking to keep in contact with leaders Leicester. The Clarets go into the game in good form having lost just one of their last eight games and just three all season - the fewest defeats in the entire division. They are also the league's only side to still be unbeaten at home this season, so they will be full of confidence ahead of today's match.
Wednesday will be flying as well, however. Their league position may not look great - sitting as they do 19th in the table - but under caretaker manager Stuart Gray they have gone six matches unbeaten and scored 10 in their last two. That included an incredible 6-0 victory over Yorkshire rivals Leeds in their last Championship outing, so they will go into today's game with no fear.
PREDICTION: Sheffield Wednesday are in good form, but Burnley are a very imposing opposition, particularly at Turf Moor. Sean Dyche's side are very hard to beat and I can't see the Owls pulling off a victory today. A draw may not be out of the question, but I have to go for a home win. 2-1 to Burnley.
MILLWALL VS. IPSWICH TOWN: Ian Holloway takes charge of his first home game as Millwall boss, and he will be hoping that it goes better than his debut last week, where Nahki Wells scored on his own debut to hand Huddersfield a late victory over the Lions. That leaves them 21st in the league without a win in seven, and they are just one place and one point above the relegation zone. Three points this afternoon would be incredibly valuable for the London outfit.
They come up against an Ipswich side who have struggled for form recently, resulting in them sliding out of the playoff spots and into ninth. Despite their winless streak of five games in all competitions, Mick McCarthy's men are still just three points off the top six and have not lost in their last eight away matches in the Championship.
PREDICTION: Things look very even for this one. Millwall were unfortunate to lose last week and they will get a boost from Holloway's home debut in charge of the club. However, Ipswich are a tough team to beat, even if they are also finding it hard to win at the moment, so they won't roll over for this game. I'm going to go for a 1-1 draw.
NOTTM FOREST VS. BLACKBURN: Two playoff candidates go head to head at the City Ground, but the hosts are in better form going into the game. They have not lost in their last nine games and are sitting pretty in fifth place, three points clear of seventh and a position outside the playoffs. They have only lost twice at home this season, so they will be confident of picking up all three points this afternoon.
Blackburn are not in bad form themselves, with just one defeat in their last seven matches. They are just two points off the playoff spots and could join Forest in the top six if other results go their way today. Their away form has also improved of late, winning their last two matches on their travels having only won one of their first 10.
PREDICTION: Blackburn won't be too deflated from their 5-0 defeat at the hands of Man City on Wednesday, but fatigue could play a part for them in this match. They have been better on the road of late but Forest have been solid in front of their own fans all season, and I don't see that changing this afternoon. I'll go for a home win, 2-1 to Forest.
DERBY VS. BRIGHTON: Things have gone from good to bad quite suddenly for Derby. Having finished 2013 with a fine unbeaten streak they have lost three out of three in all competitions in 2014. Despite this, they are still well placed in the Championship and currently sit equidistant between the automatic promotion spots and falling out of the playoffs. Which route they take may depend on how quickly they find their form again, so the Rams will be desperate to get back to winning ways this afternoon.
Brighton joined Derby in the playoff positions last week with a 1-0 win over Birmingham City and are currently placed in sixth position, a spot coveted by a bunch of teams immediately below them in the table. Things are very tight around that area, so Brighton can't afford too many slip-ups. Not that they have had many of late, losing just twice since October and just once away in their last seven games.
PREDICTION: Derby's form will have brought their rising confidence to a shuddering halt and they will be desperate to get points on the board in 2014 as soon as possible. Brighton, though, are a tough team to beat and this one should be an exciting, close game. I will go for a 2-2 draw at the iPro Stadium. You can follow live commentary of that match with us by clicking here.
BARNSLEY VS. BLACKPOOL There aren't many teams in the league more in need of a win than these two sides. Barnsley currently prop up the table and are in danger of falling too far drift of safety, sitting as they do five points behind Millwall in 21st. They have won just one of their last 13 games and have only been victorious on three occasions in the league this season - the fewest wins of any side.
Blackpool, meanwhile, are also in poor form having not won in nine games, losing eight of those matches. They have slipped down to 14th in the table, seven points behind the playoffs having been considered genuine contenders earlier in the season. They have lost their last five matches on their travels, so will be looking to put an end to that dismal run against the league's bottom club today.
PREDICTION: It seems that both teams have forgotten how to win. Barnsley's terrible home record is cancelled out by Blackpool's poor away record of late, and it is hard to see either team coming away with three points. Both sides will have this match down as a chance to get back to winning ways given the oppositions' form, but I'm going to go for a 1-1 draw.
QPR VS. HUDDERSFIELD: QPR were pre-season favourites to make an immediate return to the Premier League, but things haven't quite gone as smoothly as planned so far. They have struggled for goals, first scoring more than two in a game in their last outing, a 3-1 win over Ipswich. They have been inconsistent recently but still sit just one point off the top two and could move into the automatic promotion places today.
While QPR have struggled with inconsistency recently, Huddersfield have displayed it all season. They are currently slap bang in the middle of the table, but still just five points off the playoffs. A surprise victory this afternoon could see them move right into the mix off playoff contenders.
PREDICTION: QPR's defence have been very impressive this season, and their home form has been similarly good. They have lost just once at Loftus Road this season, and I don't see that tally doubling today. New Huddersfield signing Nahki Wells will be hoping to build on his goalscoring debut, but he will come up against a formidable challenge this afternoon. I'm going for a 1-0 home win.
READING VS. BOLTON: Reading have a chance to move into the playoffs this afternoon, with just one point separating them from sixth-placed Brighton. However, they aren't in great form, with just one win in their last six games, including back-to-back losses at home.
Bolton, on the other hand, have edged away from the bottom three and can breathe a bit more easily now following a run of just one loss in six matches. Seven points now separate them from the relegation zone, but they will face a tough challenge today given their inconsistent away form, which has seen them win four, and lose six of the 12 matches on their travels.
PREDICTION: The two sides are in contrasting form but, even so, I think Reading will have enough about them to win this match today. I'm going to go for a 2-1 win for the Royals, and perhaps a move into the top six.
DONCASTER VS. WIGAN: Doncaster need a win. They have now gone nine matches without tasting victory and sit 22nd in the table, one point from safety. They could move out of the bottom three with a win today, but to do that they will first need to score - something they have only done twice in their last seven matches. Things are even worse at the Keepmoat, where they haven't found the net since November.
Wigan, on the other hand, are enjoying life under Uwe Rosler and have now established themselves as playoff contenders. An eight-match unbeaten streak has seen them climb to to 10th in the table, with just three points separating them from the playoffs. They may have a problem with fatigue, however, after their extra-time win over MK Dons in the FA Cup on Tuesday, coupled with their exploits in the Europa League earlier this season.
PREDICTION: The hosts can't buy a win - or even a goal - at the moment, and I can't see them coming away from this match with all three points. Wigan are in good form and now have playoff hopes, so it is hard to look past them. I'll go for a 2-0 win for the Latics.
BOURNEMOUTH VS. WATFORD: Bournemouth and Watford both look to be drifting to mid-table mediocrity at the moment. The hosts currently sit 16th in the table and would leapfrog Watford with a win as they are level on 30 points. Both teams sit equidistant from the playoffs and the relegation zone, so neither should really trouble them this season. Watford have drawn all six of their last away games but have only won once in their last 13 league matches, taking them away from playoff contention.
PREDICTION: Two evenly matches teams, in almost identical form over the past five games? Everything points to a draw in this match. Watford have shared the spoils in their last six away games, and they could well make it seven today. I'll plump for 1-1.
Moving away from the Championship for a brief moment, we have plenty of live football on offer for you this afternoon, including all of the Premier League fixtures. You can check out what we've got here. Our feature game in the Championship is also Derby vs. Brighton, and you can follow that live with us by clicking here.
KICKOFF: Nottingham Forest and Blackburn are the first to get us underway at the City Ground, swiftly followed by Reading and Bolton at the Madejski. The others should all be starting in the next minute or so as we begin what promises to be an exciting day of Championship football!
MIDDLESBROUGH VS. CHARLTON: Middlesbrough go into today's game hoping that they can thrust themselves into the reckoning for the playoffs. They are currently six points behind the top six but have not lost in their last five league games and have only been beaten twice at the Riverside this season. A win today could put them right in the mix for a playoff spot.
Charlton, meanwhile, are too close to the bottom three for their liking. Just three points separates them from the relegation zone despite their recent record of five matches unbeaten. They have won just twice on their travels all season, so won't be expecting too much from a trip to the Riverside today.
PREDICTION: Charlton have been poor away, Middlesbrough have been good at home - surely there is only one winner here today? It may not be a big victory for the hosts, but I certainly expect them to get all three points this afternoon. I'll go for 2-1 to Boro.
BIRMINGHAM VS. YEOVIL: Our final preview of the afternoon sees in-form Birmingham face struggling Yeovil. Birmingham have lost just once in their last 12 games to put some breathing space between themselves and the bottom three. They are now eight points clear of the relegation zone, although their home form still leaves a lot to be desired, with only two victories at St Andrew's this season.
Yeovil, on the other hand, are languishing in 23rd, five points from safety following a six-match winless streak. They have lost their last four league games in a row, and a fifth this afternoon would risk them losing contact with those above them. Matches are fast becoming 'must win' occasions for Gary Johnson.
GOAL! Doncaster 1-0 Wigan
Well, I said I didn't see Doncaster scoring today, and it took just six minutes for them to prove me wrong. The relegation candidates have taken a shock lead against Wigan thanks to Chris Brown's finish from Keegan's cross. That is our first Championship goal of the afternoon.
PREDICTION: Birmingham are by no means powerhouses at home, but Yeovil can't seem to get a win anywhere at the moment. This could well be a draw, but the hosts will be confident of picking up all three points and I think they will too. I'm going for 1-0 Birmingham.
GOAL! Reading 1-0 Bolton Wanderers
GOAL! Birmingham City 0-1 Yeovil Town
There is another prediction up in smoke already! Yeovil break the deadlock just one minute after I said they would lose 1-0, thanks for that boys! It was Hayter who got the goal, pouncing on a poor back pass before lobbing Randolph. Elsewhere, Reading have also taken the lead against Bolton courtesy of an Adam Le Fondre strike from McCleary's lay-off.
GOAL! Nottingham Forest 1-0 Blackburn Rovers
Forest break the deadlock at the City Ground, and the goal has come from the penalty spot. Grant Hanley brought down Henri Lansbury inside the box, and he took the spot kick himself, drilling it past Eastwood, who got a hand to it but still couldn't keep it out.
GOAL! Middlesbrough 1-0 Charlton
The good life under Aitor Karanka looks like continuing for Middlesbrough as they take the lead against struggling Charlton. Emmanuel Ledesma got the goal, his long-range effort squirming under the keeper and going in.
GOAL! Birmingham City 0-2 Yeovil Town
Yeovil have taken a two-goal lead at St. Andrew's, and it is Hayter with his second of the game. This time it came from a diving header as he converted a cross after good work from Moore. How important could this lead prove to be for the visitors?
Things are still pretty quiet at the iPro Stadium where Derby County are hosting Brighton & Hove Albion. Remember, you can follow that match as our feature Championship game of the day by clicking here.
No goals either at Turf Moor as Burnley look to move back to within four points of Leicester at the top of the table. If they fail to beat Sheffield Wednesday then QPR could move second, but it remains 0-0 in the Hoops' game against Huddersfield too.
Speaking of Burnley, they should be ahead! The Clarets have just had the best chance of the match so far with Vokes finding Marney, who poked his effort just wide.
GOAL! Reading 2-0 Bolton Wanderers
Reading have struggled for goals of late, but they are experiencing no such troubles today. They double their lead against Bolton and it is Adam Le Fondre who gets his second of the game. He latched on to a Pogrebnyak flick before beating the keeper.
Things seem pretty even between Millwall and Ipswich at the New Den, where Ian Holloway is making his home bow as manager. Expect a large chunk of injury time at the end of the first half in that one, though, as Hyam was stretchered off the field having received lengthy treatment in the opening 10 minutes.
Meanwhile. Nottingham Forest have had the ball in the back of the net again against Blackburn, but Cox's goal was disallowed due to an offside flag from the linesman.
GOAL! Reading 3-0 Bolton Wanderers
GOAL! Nottingham Forest 2-0 Blackburn Rovers
Reading are running riot, and so is Adam Le Fondre! The little striker wraps up a first-half hat-trick after a defensive mix-up allowed Gareth McCleary to run through before unselfishly squaring it to Le Fondre, who had a simple finish. Forest, meanwhile, have their own man on a hat-trick after Henri Lansbury scored his second penalty of the game. This time Jamie Paterson was brought down in the box, allowing Lansbury to smash home the spot kick from 12 yards.
GOAL! Nottingham Forest 2-1 Blackburn Rovers
It seems we have an early standout contender for game of the day! Shortly after Lansbury doubles Forest's lead, Blackburn hit straight back to reduce the deficit to one once more. Ben Marshall got the visitor's opening goal having received the ball from Cairney before curling it around Darlow from 20 yards.
GOAL! Millwall 1-0 Ipswich Town
Millwall have a much-needed goal against Ipswich, giving Holloway's first home match in charge a celebratory feel right now. It is another debutant who got the goal as Ryan Fredericks whipped what was surely meant to be a cross into the box, only for it to find its way into the back of the net! It may be a lucky one, but Millwall will certainly take it.
GOAL! Reading 4-0 Bolton Wanderers
Reading's day just keeps getting better and better as they take a 4-0 lead over Bolton. The Royals were awarded a penalty after a Bolton player handled in the box and, instead of going for a fourth goal himself, Adam Le Fondre let Pavel Pogrebnyak take this one. He made no mistake, converting from 12 yards to extend his side's lead even further.
GOAL! Burnley 1-0 Sheffield Wednesday
Big goal for Burnley as they take the lead against Sheffield Wednesday. It was Sam Vokes who got the goal, latching on to Dean Marney's chipped pass before volleying the ball past Chris Kirkland for his 13th goal of the season.
GOAL! Burnley 1-1 Sheffield Wednesday
What a response from the Owls! Just two minutes after going behind they restore parity at Turf Moor thanks to Chris Maguire's finish from close range. That is his third goal in his last three games for the club.
That goal will be music to the ears of QPR, who will be wondering how they are not ahead against Huddersfield at Loftus Road. Austin and Henry have both hit the crossbar within moments of each other, while the hosts have missed a couple of other good chances to take the lead. Remember, a win for them and a draw or loss for Burnley would see QPR move into the top two.
The half-time whistles are beginning to blow around the country after an action-packed first 45 minutes of Championship football. There are still five matches going on, however, so there is still plenty of time for more drama before the interval.
GOAL! Bournemouth 0-1 Watford
GOAL! Barnsley 1-0 Blackpool
Watford take the lead against Bournemouth right on the stroke of half time - could they be on their way to an increasingly rare victory? It is Italian defender Gabrielle Angella who has got the goal that will surely send Giuseppe Sannino's side into the break ahead. Barnsley have also got what could prove to be a vital goal against Blackpool courtesy of O'Grady's penalty with the last kick of the half.
HALF TIME: All 11 of the matches are now at the halfway stage, so what better time for a quick round-up of what has happened so far? Let's start with a look at the scores at half time...
HALF-TIME SCORES: Doncaster 1-0 Wigan; Birmingham 0-2 Yeovil; Bournemouth 0-1 Watford; Burnley 1-1 Sheffield Wednesday; Derby 0-0 Brighton; Reading 4-0 Bolton; Middlesbrough 1-0 Charlton; Millwall 1-0 Ipswich; Nottingham Forest 2-1 Blackburn; QPR 0-0 Huddersfield; Barnsley 1-0 Blackpool.
What has that done to the Championship table, I hear you ask? Well, you can take a look by clicking here for the updated placings as things stand.
It has been a very good day for teams at the bottom so far, with Barnsley, Yeovil, Doncaster and Millwall all winning at half time. Whether they can stay in front remains to be seen, but it will be bad news for Charlton especially if they can, with the Addicks losing to Middlesbrough. As things stand, they would be only out of the relegation zone on goal difference.
At the top end of the table, little has changed so far. Burnley, QPR and Derby are all still drawing, so there have been no changes in position in the top five, although as things stand Nottingham Forest would move to within one point of Derby.
There has been a notable shift in the playoff positions, as Reading have moved into fifth after a magnificent first half that saw them put four past Burnley, including a hat-trick from Adam Le Fondre. They have leapfrogged Brighton, who are currently locked in a stalemate against Derby.
We're back underway for the second half in Reading's match against Bolton, which is swiftly following by the resumption of play in Nottingham and Middlesbrough. It shouldn't be too long before we are in full swing once again.
Our feature game for the afternoon is among those to have just begun again. You can follow Derby vs. Brighton with our live commentary here. It wasn't the best first half at the iPro Stadium, but I am expecting a lot more excitement in the coming 45 minutes.
KICKOFF: The Millwall vs. Ipswich game is the last to get back underway following a nasty injury to Hyam in the first half, but we are now back playing in 10 of our 11 matches this afternoon. Let the goals commence.
That Millwall match has also now restarted, so we're in full flow for the second half of this Championship weekend.
GOAL! Barnsley 2-0 Blackpool
GOAL! Doncaster Rovers 2-0 Wigan Athletic
Two big goals at the bottom at the start of the second half as Barnsley and Doncaster both double their leads of Blackpool and Wigan respectively. O'Grady got his second of the match for Barnsley, scoring right at the start of the half with a header from close range having also scored right at the end of the first half. For Doncaster it is Coppinger who got their second goal, squeezing it just over the line from a tight angle after Al Habsi had denied Wellens.
Matches like those two are what make the Championship such a special league - anyone can beat anyone on their day. Doncaster went into their match against Wigan with no wins in nine, while the Latics hadn't lost in eight, yet it is Rovers who lead 2-0.
GOAL! Queens Park Rangers 1-0 Huddersfield Town
GOAL! Reading 5-0 Bolton Wanderers
A potentially huge goal for QPR as they take the lead against Huddersfield to move into the top two as things stand. Kranjcar's flick on was headed down by Johnson to Austin, who fired past the keeper from inside the box. Reading's rout of Bolton continues, meanwhile, as Kaspars Gorkss turns the ball home after the visitors failed to clear a corner.
Wigan don't seem to be showing many signs of coming back from their 2-0 deficit against Doncaster. They have around half an hour to do so, but it would be some comeback from Uwe Rosler's side to rescue this one now.
Not much has happened in Burnley's match against Sheffield Wednesday since the restart. The Clarets need to force something out of that game as they are dropping out of the automatic promotion spots as things stand.
RED CARD! Gabrielle Angella (Watford)
GOAL! Bournemouth 1-1 Watford
A dramatic minute at the Goldsands as Bournemouth level things up against Watford, who have now been reduced to 10 men. It is their goalscorer Angella who was given his marching orders for pulling down Lewis Grabban inside the box. The referee didn't give it originally, but the linesman flagged for a foul and the spot kick was awarded. Grabban, who has been heavily linked with a move away from the club, stepped up himself and made no mistake to equalise.
GOAL! Middlesbrough 1-1 Charlton Athletic
GOAL! Doncaster Rovers 3-0 Wigan Athletic
CORRECTION: Middlesbrough 1-0 Charlton Athletic
Charlton think that they have equalised against Middlesbrough, but the goal is disallowed for a foul on Shay Given as he tried to collect a cross. Doncaster's third goal does count, however, as they continue their remarkable display against Wigan thanks to Brown's penalty after Husband had been taken down inside the box. Surely that is all three points secured for Rovers now?
GOAL! Nottingham Forest 3-1 Blackburn Rovers
GOAL! Queens Park Rangers 1-1 Huddersfield Town
GOAL! Reading 6-0 Bolton Wanderers
Forest may have also wrapped up all three points with their third goal of the afternoon, Jamie Paterson dancing into the box before firing a low effort past the keeper for his fifth goal in three games. For Huddersfield, Nahki Wells is continuing to pay off his club-record fee with his second goal in two games since joining the club, nodding home Hammill cross to make it 1-1 against QPR. Reading also get yet another against goal against Bolton as Hope Akpan lashes home from just inside the box for his first goal for the club.
GOAL! Derby County 1-0 Brighton & Hove Albion
GOAL! Reading 7-0 Bolton Wanderers
Derby finally break the deadlock in what was our only remaining goalless game until Bamford curled a lovely effort in from 18 yards out. You can follow the last 10 minutes of that game with our live commentary of it here. Elsewhere, Bolton's afternoon has become even more embarrassing as Reading score a seventh, Nick Blackman sprinting clear before lofting an effort last a beleaguered Lonergan.
GOAL! Queens Park Rangers 2-1 Huddersfield Town
QPR regain the lead with around 10 minutes to go at Loftus Road. What a huge goal that could prove to be, with Burnley still being held by Sheffield Wednesday. It was Austin yet again with the goal as he nodded home Assou-Ekotto's cross from close range. QPR are heading into the automatic promotion spots if everything stays the same.
Bournemouth have missed a golden opportunity to take the lead against Watford, with Lewis Grabban missing a penalty having already scored one this afternoon. Almunia made a fine triple save, including the penalty save, to keep the score at 1-1.
RED CARD! Rhoys Wiggins (Charlton Athletic)
GOAL! Reading 7-1 Bolton Wanderers
The comeback is on! Well, maybe not, but Bolton have at least salvaged something from their match against Reading, scoring a consolation goal with just two minutes left in the game. It was bundled in through a mass of bodies, with either David Ngog or Sanmi Odelusi getting the final touch. Elsewhere, Charlton have been reduced to 10 men after an over-the-top challenge from Rhoys Wiggins earned him a straight red card.
Burnley come within inches of getting a late winner against Sheffield Wednesday, but Danny Ings's effort hits the post. The Clarets are running out of time now!
FULL TIME: Reading 7-1 Bolton Wanderers
GOAL! Nottingham Forest 4-1 Blackburn Rovers
That is well and truly game over at the Riverside as Andy Reid scores from 20 yards to make it 4-1 to Forest in second-half stoppage time. Their position in the playoff places is looking increasingly safe.
FULL TIME: Burnley 1-1 Sheffield Wednesday
FULL TIME: Nottingham Forest 4-1 Blackburn Rovers
FULL TIME: Doncaster Rovers 3-0 Wigan Athletic
FULL TIME: Derby County 1-0 Brighton & Hove Albion
FULL TIME: Middlesbrough 1-0 Charlton Athletic
FULL TIME: Birmingham City 0-2 Yeovil Town
FULL TIME: Queens Park Rangers 2-1 Huddersfield Town
FULL TIME: Millwall 1-0 Ipswich Town
FULL TIME: Barnsley 2-0 Blackpool
FULL TIME: Bournemouth 1-1 Watford
The final final whistle blows on another action-packed day of Championship action, and what a big day it could prove to be in the season. There were fine victories for each of the bottom four, while we also saw movements in the automatic promotion places and the playoff spots.
FULL-TIME SCORES: Leeds 0-1 Leicester; Doncaster 3-0 Wigan; Birmingham 0-2 Yeovil; Bournemouth 1-1 Watford; Burnley 1-1 Sheffield Wednesday; Derby 1-0 Brighton; Reading 7-1 Bolton; Middlesbrough 1-0 Charlton; Millwall 1-0 Ipswich; Nottingham Forest 4-1 Blackburn; QPR 2-1 Huddersfield; Barnsley 2-0 Blackpool
The performance of the day without doubt came at the Madejski, where Reading thrashed Bolton 7-1. The Royals were 4-0 up at half time thanks to an Adam Le Fondre hat-trick in the space of 21 first-half minutes and went on to extend their lead even further before Bolton got a late consolation goal.
That result not only boosts Reading's goal difference, it also lifts them into the playoff spots, displacing Brighton in sixth after the Seagulls fell to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Derby. The chasing pack for the playoffs is a very competitive area of the league, but Reading now have a two-point gap to seventh and a superior goal difference to every side below them.
There was a change even further up the table as Queens Park Rangers moved back into the automatic promotion spots at the expense of Burnley, who couldn't beat Sheffield Wednesday at Turf Moor. Leicester are now five points clear at the top, but QPR will be confident of catching them as they look like coming into form.
It was a very good day for those at the bottom, with all three sides in the relegation zone winning as well as Millwall, who leapfrog Charlton in the table. The only bad things for those struggling teams is that all of their immediate rivals also won so, while Yeovil and Barnsley were both five points from safety before the game, despite their win they are now still four points adrift.
Right, that's all we have time for this afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for what was another action-packed Championship schedule. We had 31 goals from our 12 games today, as well as two red cards and a whole host of penalties. You can check out all the day's final scores from around the world here, while you can also see what impact the Championship result had on the table by clicking here. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!
Written by
Barney Corkhill
Barney Corkhill
