ON A NIGHT when there was some thrilling action at Europe’s elite level, the Championship stepped up and delivered its usual frenetic, high-drama entertainment.
From the 11 fixtures played this evening, there were 42 goals and certain results have ensured the play-off race continues to fascinate.
At the top of the table, both Newcastle and Brighton dropped points. The Magpies had to make do with a 2-2 draw at Norwich while Chris Hughton’s side failed to take advantage and dropped two points at home to Ipswich.
And, increasing the levels of anxiety in the north-east and the south-coast respectively, the chasing pack have all closed the gap.
Third-placed Huddersfield are the most in-form team right now, racking up a fifth straight win. David Wagner’s side dug very deep to beat basement club Rotherham 3-2, with Tommy Smith scoring a 92nd-minute winner.
Now just a point further back, Jaaap Stam’s Reading did something similar and are unbeaten in their last six, coming from 2-1 down to get the better of Brentford.
Garry Monk’s Leeds United got back to winning ways by beating Bristol City 2-1 and they’re now three points behind the Royals.
Last season’s beaten play-off finalists Sheffield Wednesday racked up a third straight victory – this time a 2-1 triumph over Blackburn – to leave them in 6th, two points from their Yorkshire rivals.
But there was plenty of other action tonight, with a seven-goal thriller between Derby and Cardiff.
Steve McClaren’s side were 2-0 up after 17 minutes, then found themselves behind on the hour mark, made it 3-3 with 15 minutes to go but conceded an injury-time penalty and lost 4-3.
It was their fourth defeat in their last seven games and they’re in free-fall, languishing outside the top-ten.
