Saints and Hammers on course

Monday, 16/01/2012

by James Beavis

With the sides directly behind them in the division dropping points, the top two increased their lead at the summit with victories on the road.

League leaders Southampton picked up their first win on their travels since the beginning of November as they beat struggling Nottingham Forest, who had captain Luke Chambers dismissed for violent conduct, 3-0 at the City Ground, with Morgan Schneiderlin scoring the pick of the goals for the visitors.

West Ham matched the table-toppers’ result though as they also picked up three points with a 1-0 defeat of Portsmouth at Fratton Park. Mark Noble’s penalty proved the difference between the sides to keep the Hammers behind Saints on goal difference.

Cardiff missed the opportunity to keep pace with the teams above as they could only play out a goalless draw away at Doncaster, who are now three points from safety.

Middlesbrough couldn’t even pick up a point though as they fell to a 2-0 home defeat to Burnley with Kieran Trippier netting a howitzer from 35 yards.

Reading maintained their place in the play-off positions as Adam Le Fondre’s late flick ensured the Royals beat Watford 2-1 at Vicarage Road.

Hull were also triumphant by a one-goal margin as they beat Peterborough 1-0 at the KC, with Robert Koren scoring the all-important decider.

Birmingham City are the side to watch though after a thumping 6-0 at the New Den against nine-man Millwall, who had Shane Lowry and Alan Dunne red-carded. Marlon King notched two and his team are now just two points outside of the top six.

Derby continued their revival with a 1-0 win over Coventry at Pride Park whilst a late equaliser from Kevin Phillips rescued a point for Blackpool in their 2-2 against Ipswich at Portman Road.

Crystal Palace and Leeds shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park.

Brighton maintained their good form with a comfortable 2-0 win over Bristol City at the Amex.

Leicester continue to stutter though and were undone by two Andy Gray goals in their disappointing 2-1 defeat by Barnsley at the King Power.

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