Championship Round-Up: Norwich City snatch top spot, Bristol City hit Fulham for four

Norwich City are now top of the Championship after a comfortable 3-1 victory at home to Burton Albion over the weekend.

The Canaries dominated the match and duly took the lead through left-back Martin Olsson, who scored for only the third time in as many seasons, yet the Brewers equalised within a minute after half-time when Lucas Akins tapped home. But the hosts hit back quickly when Jacob Murphy’s flying strike took a deflection on its way to putting Alex Neil’s side ahead once more, before defender Ivo Pinto added a late third.

Sweden international, Olsson, opened the scoring for Norwich at home to Burton inside 29 minutes – Photo: Mark Leech / Offside.

Bristol City thrashed Fulham 4-0 away from home as the Robins climb up to tenth place, maintaining their positive start to the season after finishing 18th last term. Tammy Abraham opened the scoring early on with his tenth goal of the campaign, which was followed up by strikes from Luke Freeman and Bobby Reid. And after hosts had Kevin McDonald sent off for a late challenge, centre-half Aden Flint kept his composure to add a fourth in the closing minutes.

Wolverhampton Wanderers beat Brentford 3-1 at home as Joao Teixeira netted his first two goals for Walter Zenga’s side. The on-loan Benfica midfielder was in fine form with two classy strikes as he dazzled the home fans with his quick feet. Sullay Kaikai’s effort gave the Bees hope, only for Ivan Cavaleiro to add a third for Wolves in stoppage-time to make sure of the result.

Blackburn Rovers made it back-to-back league wins as they won 2-1 at Derby County, who have now gone six matches without a victory. Matej Vydra had put the Rams in front with just less than 20 minutes remaining. But, Owen Coyle’s side hit back straight from the restart as Marvin Emnes’ deflected effort found a way past Scott Carson in goal, before he was on hand to assist Danny Graham’s winner after a fine team move.

Brighton and Hove Albion easily dispatched of Barnsley at home, winning 2-0, thanks to a brace from Glenn Murray. The striker opened the scoring with a deft finish from a great counter attack by the hosts and headed in the second from Jiri Skalak’s perfectly weighted free-kick.

Reading knocked Huddersfield Town off the top of the Championship as the Royals narrowly won 1-0 at home, after the Terriers went down to ten-men. Rajiv van La Parra was dismissed for a second bookable offence after just 26 minutes and the hosts took full advantage as Roy Beerens netted the game’s only goal.

Leeds United look to have put their shaky form behind them as they beat Ipswich Town 1-0, to make it three league wins in as many matches. Chris Wood was the goalscorer once again for the Whites. The New Zealand international’s header after just 35 minutes was enough for Garry Monk’s side to clinch all three points.

Aston Villa rescued a point after scoring a late equaliser at home to Newcastle United as the two teams drew 1-1 on Saturday evening. Defender Tommy Elphick inadvertently gave the Magpies the lead after putting the ball into his own net when trying to deal with DeAndre Yedlin’s threatening cross. But, the Villans hit back through Aaron Tshibola, whose header in the 88th minute levelled the score.

Midfielder Lee scored twice in the final 22 minutes to help Sheffield Wednesday defeat Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough – Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

Sheffield Wednesday also left it late as they scored in second-half stoppage-time to overcome Nottingham Forest 2-1. Henri Lansbury’s long-range opener gave the visitors the lead after just 35 minutes when it deflected off an Owls defender, before Kieran Lee converted Ross Wallace’s cross to make it 1-1. The midfielder then grabbed his and Wednesday’s second strike of the match with a smart finish from close-range as they snatched a winner in the 91st minute.

Cardiff City won 2-1 at Rotherham United as Rickie Lambert scored his first two goals for the Welsh club since his summer transfer from West Bromwich Albion. On-loan Chelsea forward Izzy Brown had given the Millers the lead, but former England international, Lambert, netted a brace to ease the reported pressure on Bluebirds manager Paul Trollope.

Birmingham City have now gone five matches unbeaten after drawing 1-1 at Queens Park Rangers. Lukas Jutkiewicz put the Blues in front with a fine header, but Steven Caulker was on hand to score for the hosts.

And finally, Preston North End won 1-0 at Wigan Athletic in the north-west derby and condemned the Latics to their seventh consecutive league game without a victory. Jordan Hugill scored the winner after just seven minutes. Not that the forward knew much about it, as the ball struck his knee from Aiden McGeady’s initial effort.

Player of the Weekend: Kieran Lee (Sheffield Wednesday)
Team of the Weekend: Bristol City
Goal of the Weekend: Danny Graham (Derby County vs BLACKBURN ROVERS)