Saints smiling

Monday, 20/02/2012

by James Beavis

With league leaders West Ham out of action it was a chance for the chasing pack to apply some pressure in the race for automatic promotion.

Southampton returned to the summit as they comfortably beat Derby 4-0 at St. Mary’s. January transfer window signing Tadanari Lee scored the pick of the goals as Saints moved two points clear of the Hammers.

Reading moved up to fourth after they defeated Burnley 1-0 at the Madjeski on Friday night. The decisive strike came from Jason Roberts as the Royals recorded their fourth successive win.

Cardiff were on the wrong end of a 3-0 score-line at Ipswich. A Lee Martin brace was sandwiched by a goal from former Bluebirds striker Michael Chopra leaving the Tractor Boys eleven points off the top six.

Leeds needed a 98th minute winner from Luciano Becchio to ensure they beat Doncaster 3-2 at Elland Road, having been 2-0 down at one stage in front of new manager Neil Warnock. Earlier, a brace from Mamadou Bagayoko was cancelled out by goals from Andros Townsend and Adam Clayton.

In a mid-table clash, Crystal Palace thrashed Watford 4-0 at Selhurst Park. A double from Chris Martin, added to by strikes by Wilfried Zaha and Kagisho Dikgacoi sealed the Eagles’ first triumph of 2012.

Barnsley beat a beleaguered Portsmouth side 2-0 at Oakwell. Pompey, who went into administration for the second time in three years during the week, had Dave Kitson dismissed in the first half before goals from Jim O’Brien and Matt Done sealed the points for the hosts sending the visitors into the bottom three.

Peterborough picked up their first success in eight encounters with a convincing 3-0 win over Bristol City at London Road. Lee Tomlin netted twice for the hosts with David Ball also getting on the score-sheet.

Nottingham Forest picked up their first victory at the City Ground since November as they beat relegation rivals Coventry 2-0. A superb solo effort by Gareth McCleary was added to by a smart finish by Robbie Findlay as Steve Cotterill’s men moved out of the relegation zone as a result.

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