Championship Round-Up: Huddersfield Town regain top spot, Brentford ease past Reading

Huddersfield Town have moved back to the top of the Championship table after this season’s surprise promotion hopefuls defeated struggling Rotherham United 2-1 on Tuesday night.

Elias Kachunga put the Terriers ahead with a goal after just two minutes, only for Danny Ward to bring the Millers level with a goal against his former club.

Nakhi Wells netted the winner before half-time and David Wagner’s side held on to lift themselves ahead of a Norwich City side that visit Newcastle United tonight. Alan Stubbs’ side, however, drop to the bottom of the table.

Brentford’s Hogan has netted seven league goals in 10 games this season – Photo: Brentford FC / Mark Chapman.

Brighton and Hove Albion remain in third, but lost ground on their title rivals after they could only manage a 0-0 draw away at Ipswich Town. Dale Stephens’ dismissal late in the second-half added to Chris Hughton’s frustration, but a fourth straight league game without defeat keeps the Seagulls’ early promotion push on track. The Tractor Boys move up to 13th place as a result.

Brentford jumped up to fourth spot with a convincing 4-1 victory over Reading. First-half goals from Josh Clarke and Lasse Vibe set the Bees on their way, before Maxime Colin and Scott Hogan completed this emphatic victory for Dean Smith’s Bees. A Yann Kermorgant penalty was of little consolation to the Royals, as Jaap Stam’s side drop to eighth.

Bristol City were Tuesday evening’s other big movers at the top. A 1-0 home victory against Leeds lifted the Robins up to fifth. Marlon Pack netted the only goal of the match as Lee Johnson’s side put an end to their visitors run of three successive league wins. Garry Monk’s Yorkshire side slip to 14th.

Birmingham City stay in sixth, but were held 2-2 at home by Preston North End. Ryan Shotton’s goal for the hosts after 30 minutes had cancelled out Alex Baptiste’s early opener, only for Daniel Johnson’s free-kick to put North End back in front before the interval.

Substitute Che Adams rescued a point, his strike keeping the Blues in the play-off places, whilst Simon Grayson’s outfit remain 19th.

Sheffield Wednesday moved up to seventh place following their 1-0 victory away at Blackburn Rovers. Steven Fletcher’s lone strike settled this game, with only goal difference now keeping the Owls out of the top six. After two successive league wins, defeat drops Rovers back into the relegation places.

At the wrong end of the table, Wigan Athletic, who started the night bottom of the standings, moved out of the drop zone with a 2-1 home win over Wolves. Adam Le Fondre and Prince Oniangue exchanged first-half strikes before a late Will Grigg winner gave the Latics all three points. Walter Zenga’s side drop to 11th, as their form continues to fluctuate.

Derby, without suspended boss Pearson in charge, secured only their second win of the season at Cardiff last night – Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

Surprise strugglers Derby County moved out of the bottom three with a 2-0 win away at Cardiff City. The Rams, without suspended manager Nigel Pearson in the dugout, picked up all three points courtesy of Tom Ince and a Nick Blackman penalty. Matthew Connolly’s second-half red card merely added to the Bluebirds’ misery.

Late goals continue to holt Aston Villa’s attempts for an instant return to the Premier League, after they drew 1-1 at Barnsley. Jordan Ayew’s goal looked to have settled this tie for the Villains, but Sam Winnall’s 90th minute strike rescued a point for the hosts. Roberto Di Matteo’s Midlanders stay stuck in 17th, just two points above the relegation zone. The Tykes drop to tenth.

Tuesday evening’s remaining two fixtures both ended in 1-1 draws. Nicklas Bendtner opened his account for Nottingham Forest, but it was not enough for victory. Tom Cairney equalised for Fulham as both sides remain in the middle of the table.

And finally, Burton Albion and Queens Park Rangers also played out a draw as Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink had to settle for a point against his former club. Jamie Ward put the Brewers ahead, before Sebastian Polter rescued Hasselbaink’s Hoops.

Team of Midweek: Brentford
Player of Midweek: Will Grigg (Wigan Athletic)