Round-up: Championship – Hull and Burnley leapfrog Brighton into the top-two

Hull City are the new leaders of the Championship after a 2-0 away win at Brentford saw them extend their current unbeaten run to nine games, leapfrogging Brighton at the top.

Steve Bruce’s men travelled to London to meet a Bees side also on a good run of form. Lee Carsley had guided the Griffin Park outfit to wins in their previous four games, but that run came to an end as second half strikes from Andrew Robertson and Sam Clucas sent the Tigers top on goal difference.

Burnley jumped into the top-two with a convincing 3-1 win at home over Fulham. Andre Gray fired his third successive home brace to give the Clarets a comfortable lead, which and takes the £6 million man into double figures for the season. Ross McCormack gave the Cottagers hope of a comeback but Matt Taylor’s injury-time effort sealed the three points for Sean Dyche’s side.

Brighton dropped from top spot down to third, despite remaining undefeated this season. A 0-0 draw against an in-form Sheffield Wednesday side keeps both teams in the promotion hunt, with the Owls unbeaten in 11 and one point outside the top-six.

Middlesbrough remain in fourth and move to within a point of the leaders as they defeated bottom club Rotherham. Stewart Downing’s early strike was enough for a third consecutive league victory for Boro and to pile the misery on the Millers, who are bottom and five points away from safety after a run of six games without a victory.

Derby also continue to keep the pressure on those above them with a 1-0 victory over QPR. Austrian striker Andreas Weimann’s second goal in two games was enough to settle this contest in favour of Paul Clement’s Midlanders, who are now unbeaten in 10. The Hoops, who had James Perch sent off late on, drop to 13th after just two wins from their last 10 outings.

Birmingham stay sixth but dropped points in a goalless draw at home with Blackburn. Gary Rowett’s side have won just once in their last five games and are losing vital ground on fellow promotion hopefuls.

Seventh-placed Reading twice came from behind to earn a point at home to Huddersfield. Jamie Paterson caught the hosts napping with a goal in the second minute, only for former Town man Oliver Norwood to soon equalise. Nakhi Wells restored the Terriers’ lead before the break, but Chris Powell’s side couldn’t hold on and a late Ola John effort sent both home with a point. Powell was sacked on Wednesday morning.

Powell was sacked by Huddersfield on Wednesday.

At the wrong end of the table, MK Dons gave their survival hopes a boost with a vital victory over fellow strugglers Charlton. Dean Bowditch’s goal in the first half was enough to break a three-game losing streak and put a four-point gap between them and the drop zone. The Addicks remain in the bottom three and are now 11 games without a win.

Another defeat for Bolton keeps them in relegation trouble. Neil Lennon’s side remain in the bottom three after they lost 2-0 away at Ipswich.  Arsenal loanee Ainsley Maitland- Niles’ stunning first senior goal, and Brett Pitman’s third league strike this season, helped the Tractor Boys to their first win in eight.

Bristol City added to the misery of the bottom three clubs as they moved four points clear of the drop zone with a 1-0 victory over Wolves. Jonathan Kodjia struck his eighth goal of the season but this was the first time the Robins have won when their summer signing has scored.

At Elland Road, Leeds United picked up their first win under new boss Steve Evans as they defeated Cardiff 1-0. After a goalless first period, Alex Mowatt’s second half thunderbolt was enough to move them up to 17th and end the Bluebirds’ six-match unbeaten run.

Eoin Doyle’s first goal for Preston earned them a vital 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest. Dougie Freedman’s Forest are dangerously close to the drop zone and without a win in their last eight games, while North End moved two points above their visitors after extending their unbeaten run to five matches.

Player of the Night: Andre Gray (Burnley)
Team of the Night: Hull City
Goal of the Night: Alex Mowatt (LEEDS vs Cardiff)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFD-bC1Xn7Y