Saints close the gap

Monday, 13/02/2012

by James Beavis

With leaders West Ham out of action after their game was called off, it was a chance for the chasing pack to exert some pressure on them.

Southampton took full advantage, beating Burnley 2-0 at St Mary’s thanks to goals from Adam Lallana and an own goal by the Clarets’ Ben Mee. Saints now lie just one point behind West Ham at the top with the teams clashing on Tuesday night at Upton Park.

Cardiff failed to make up any ground though as they lost 2-1 at the King Power Stadium against Leicester. Paul Gallagher’s brace was enough to separate the sides with the Foxes seven points from the top six.

Blackpool needed a late free kick from defender Stephen Crainey to salvage a 1-1 draw against administration-threatened Portsmouth at Bloomfield Road.

Hull continued their fine form though, comfortably beating lowly Bristol City 3-0 at the KC Stadium with striker Matty Fryatt notching his first strike in 11 outings.

Reading are just outside of the play-off positions following their 2-0 home victory against basement club Coventry with Jason Roberts among the goal-scorers for the Royals.

Alan Navarro’s injury-time winner, his first goal for three years, was enough to give Brighton a 2-1 success against manager-less Leeds at Elland Road.

Ipswich’s match against Middlesbrough at Portman Road was abandoned just before the break due to a frozen touchline.

Millwall and Derby played out a goal-less draw at the New Den which leaves the Lions just five points above the relegation zone.

Nottingham Forest scored their first goal at the City Ground since mid-November through Gareth McCleary but it wasn’t enough to take all three points as Troy Deeney equalised for Watford in their 1-1 draw.

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