Championship. Results, Reviews and Table for 2008/9

[johntheclaret]

Sun 19th Oct

Sheff W 1 Sheff U 0

Review

Steve Watson's cool first-half finish settled an incident-packed Steel City derby in favour of Sheffield Wednesday.
There was a red card for each side, although the hosts still ended the match with 11 players on the field, a missed penalty and no shortage of passion in a fiercely-contested encounter at Hillsborough.
Sheffield United defender Matthew Kilgallon's harsh dismissal in the 27th minute proved to be the turning point, while Jermaine Johnson's second-half red for a show of petulance after being substituted was more pointless than pivotal.
The victory rocketed Brian Laws' side from 15th in the table to replace their bitter rivals in fifth, ending the Blades' three-game winning streak and proving how closely contested the Championship again promises to be.

The home side created the best early opening with a slick Owls move finding James O'Connor, who created space for a shot only to see it strike the chest of Kilgallon with the ball smuggled clear as Marcus Tudgay closed in. Deon Burton then felt he should have had a penalty soon after as he clashed with Ugo Ehiogu after a deep ball into the box, but referee Mike Dean waved play on. Slack defending by Ehiogu allowed O'Connor to burst forward from the halfway line before releasing Johnson in space on the left of the area, but he rushed his shot and blazed high and wide of goal when he should have at least tested Paddy Kenny.

After 25 minutes Wednesday failed to clear their lines from a corner and Brian Howard came within inches of giving the visitors the lead from the edge of the box as his deflected effort nearly beat Lee Grant but flew the wrong side of the near post. Moments later Kilgallon was dismissed as he caught Sean McAllister in the back with a high boot, although the challenge for the ball looked genuine and the defender was left stunned by Dean's decision to immediately flourish the red card. Kevin Blackwell made an immediate substitution to strengthen his defence, removing David Cotterill and bringing on Chris Morgan, but the experienced centre-back's first act was to play a key role in the only goal of the game.

Goalkeeper Kenny came racing off his line to claim a floated ball into the box, but Morgan got there first to head clear, only to find Watson 25 yards out who measured his volley back over everyone's head and into the empty net, leaving the Blades duo to exchange furious words as Hillsborough erupted.

The Owls had two chances to extend their lead before the break with Mark Beevers heading wide after a quick free-kick on the right and O'Connor firing Johnson's cut-back wide of the post from close range, while Billy Sharp threatened for the Blades. Wednesday missed a glorious chance to extend their lead at the start of the second half when they were awarded a penalty as O'Connor broke into box, cut inside Gary Speed and was felled by the veteran midfielder. Burton stepped up and fired powerfully to Kenny's right, but the Blades goalkeeper was equal to the effort and palmed it away to safety.

James Beattie then looped a header narrowly over Grant's bar after a diagonal ball to the back post as the visitors continued to threaten. Moments later Ehiogu did just enough to distract Richard Wood as he attempted to stab home Tudgay's knockdown to the near post. Then came Wednesday's red card after Johnson was replaced by Akpo Sodje. The midfielder reacted badly, kicking a water bottle which flew into the stands and clashed with the coaching staff who tried to calm him down. Dean's attention was brought to the incident by the fourth official, and he issued a second yellow card and a subsequent red to the already fuming Owls player, who will now serve a one-game ban.

With only one goal in it, the Blades still had hope and substitute Anthony Stokes broke forward after being gifted possession on the halfway line before rolling a pass into Beattie's path, with the striker's shot curling inches wide of the post. Deep into injury time, Grant was penalised for time-wasting, giving the Blades an indirect free-kick just inside Wednesday's area, but Stokes drilled his effort straight into the wall. From the resulting corner Kenny came up in a last desperate attempt to find an equaliser, but Wednesday held on to claim three points which will have greater meaning than most this season.

Table

Pos Team P Pts
1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 11 25
2 Birmingham City 11 24
-----------------------------------
3 Reading 11 20
4 Cardiff City 11 18
5 Sheffield Wednesday 11 18
6 Sheffield United 11 17
------------------------------------
7 Queens Park Rangers 11 17
8 Preston North End 11 17
9 Bristol City 11 16
10 Derby County 11 16
11 Swansea City 11 16
12 Burnley 11 16
13 Plymouth Argyle 11 15
14 Crystal Palace 11 15
15 Coventry City 11 15
16 Watford 11 14
17 Blackpool 11 14
18 Ipswich Town 11 13
19 Charlton Athletic 11 13
20 Southampton 11 11
21 Norwich City 11 10
---------------------------
22 Barnsley 11 8
23 Doncaster Rovers 11 8
24 Nottingham Forest 11 5

[devilsadvocate]

Come on you Clarets!!! 3-1 over Coventry, another great result away from Turf Moor!! Looking forward to your report JTC.

With most sides that were above the Clarets either losing or sharing the points, Burnley will move into the playoff places.

Result of the nights: Norwich 5 - Wolves 2

Cardiff also held Watford to a 2-2 at Vicarage Rd.
Swansea 0 - QPR 0 in another surprise result. Having said that, I'm still to be convinced about QPR. Money does not always equal success (DOES IT DANIEL LEVY?)

Other results:

Barnsley 2-1 Sheff Wed
Birmingham 1-0 Crystal Palace
Blackpool 3-2 Derby
Charlton 0-2 Bristol City
Norwich 5-2 Wolverhampton
Nottm Forest 1-1 Ipswich
Plymouth 1-0 Preston
Reading 2-1 Doncaster
Sheff Utd 0-0 Southampton

[devilsadvocate]

Pos Team P GD Pts
1 Birmingham 12 8 27
2 Wolverhampton 12 9 25
--------------------------------------
3 Reading 12 15 23
4 Bristol City 12 4 19
5 Cardiff 12 4 19
6 Burnley 12 0 19
--------------------------------------
7 Sheff Utd 12 7 18
8 Plymouth 12 3 18
9 QPR 12 1 18
10 Sheff Wed 12 -6 18
11 Swansea 12 -1 17
12 Blackpool 12 -1 17
13 Preston 12 -2 17
14 Derby 12 0 16
15 Crystal Palace 12 1 15
16 Watford 12 0 15
17 Coventry 12 -1 15
18 Ipswich 12 3 14
19 Norwich 12 -2 13
20 Charlton 12 -4 13
21 Southampton 12 -7 12
22 Barnsley 12 -6 11
23 Doncaster 12 -13 8
24 Nottm Forest 12 -12 6

[johntheclaret]

Tues 21st Oct

Results
Barnsley 2 Sheff Weds 1
Birmingham 1 C.Palace 0
Blackpool 3 Derby 2
Charlton 0 Bristol City 2
Coventry 1 Burnley 3
Norwich 5 Wolves 2
Nottm Forest 1 Ipswich 1
Plymouth 1 Preston NE 0
Reading 2 Doncaster 1
Sheff Utd 0 Southampton 0
Swansea 0 QPR 0
Watford 2 Cardiff 2

Round Up

Norwich had lost their last three league games heading into a contest with table-topping Wolves but, inspired by a Leroy Lita hat-trick, produced a remarkable 5-2 victory at Carrow Road.
That allowed Birmingham to climb to the summit, although the Blues left it late before Garry O'Connor handed them a 1-0 win against Crystal Palace.

Blackpool were pushed all the way by a rejuvenated Derby at Bloomfield Road, eventually taking the honours 3-2.

Bristol City moved up to fourth on the back of a 2-0 win at Charlton, while Rory Fallon's solitary strike was enough to see Plymouth past Preston.

Reading remain on the fringes of the automatic promotion places after Kevin Doyle grabbed the decider in a 2-1 victory at home to struggling Doncaster.

Watford raced into a two-goal lead against Cardiff, only to see that advantage ebb away following Tamas Priskin's first half dismissal.

Burnley needed two goals in the last two minutes to hand them the points at Coventry, the Clarets recovering from falling behind to ultimately take the spoils 3-1.

Jamal Campbell-Ryce kept his composure from the spot to help Barnsley to a 2-1 win over local rivals Sheffield Wednesday, while Nottingham Forest were held to a 1-1 draw by Ipswich at the City Ground.

[johntheclaret]

Come on you Clarets!!! 3-1 over Coventry, another great result away from Turf Moor!! Looking forward to your report JTC.

With most sides that were above the Clarets either losing or sharing the points, Burnley will move into the playoff places.

Result of the nights: Norwich 5 - Wolves 2

Cardiff also held Watford to a 2-2 at Vicarage Rd.
Swansea 0 - QPR 0 in another surprise result. Having said that, I'm still to be convinced about QPR. Money does not always equal success (DOES IT DANIEL LEVY?)

Other results:

Barnsley 2-1 Sheff Wed
Birmingham 1-0 Crystal Palace
Blackpool 3-2 Derby
Charlton 0-2 Bristol City
Norwich 5-2 Wolverhampton
Nottm Forest 1-1 Ipswich
Plymouth 1-0 Preston
Reading 2-1 Doncaster
Sheff Utd 0-0 Southampton

Great result for the Clarets. Came from a goal down to take the points. Goals from Duff, and then substitutes Blake 88 mins and Eagles 90 mins. Eagles goal was one out of the top drawer of the EPL. Funny, I was bemoaning both Blake and Eagels last Sturday after they came on in place of Thompson and Patto. For me, Burnley lost thier shape and any attacking options up front. Then they go and make me eat my words.

[hazza11]

Great result for Birmingham, they seem to be getting results, but not playing too well at the moment.
Quashie on loan at the moment is a good thing though, surprising thing to me is how well the defence has done.
Ridgwell had a shocking year last year, but has been rock solid this year!
Hopefully it is straight back for the blues, but Reading ar looking very dangerous and the Wolves.
But surprise result for them!

[RoosterMarty]

Birmingham will finish top two I reckon, they love their 1-0 wins, usually in scrappy fashion but that's what you gotta do to escape from this league.

I'm glad Cardiff are still going strong, good comeback after being 2 goals down at Vicarage Road.

[hazza11]

Great comeback for Cardiff!!!

For Birmingham,
I am delighted that O'Connor scored the winner in the 94th minute because I do like the guy.
Works his arse off and always thought he was a good buy for us when we got him, but just
had to wait to be given a real chance! Hope he keeps scoring and playing well!

[johntheclaret]

Sat 25th October

Results
Birmingham 3 Sheff Wed 1
Watford 2 Wolves 3
Reading 0 QPR 0
Barnsley 0 Bristol C 0
Nottm Forest 0 Cardiff 1
Charlton 1 Burnley 1
Sheff Utd 1 Preston 0
Plymouth 1 Ipswich 3
Coventry 1 Derby 1
Swansea 3 Southampton 0
Blackpool 2 C Palace 2
Norwich 2 Doncaster 1

Round Up

Birmingham remain at the top of the Coca-Cola Championship after a 3-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday.Blues went ahead following a Garry O'Connor header from a Sebastian Larsson free-kick after 11 minutes.
However, Wednesday were level within three minutes when Etienne Esajas hit an unstoppable 25-yard shot into the net.
Within a minute Blues regained the lead when O'Connor got his second of the game following Larsson's throw-in.
Kevin Phillips almost put the hosts further ahead but was thwarted in the six-yard box by Owls keeper Lee Grant. Phillips could not be stopped though and he finished off a pass from Franck Queudrue with a shot across Grant.
Wednesday's task was made harder when Jimmy Smith was sent off for violent conduct following a foul on Stuart Parnaby.

Wolves remain in second after an eventful 3-2 win at Watford.
The Black Country side scored the first goal of the day through Chris Iwelumo in the first minute.
Carl Ikeme sent a long ball down field which was helped on by Sylvan Ebanks-Blake's pass with Iwelumo helping the ball into the net
Grzegorz Rasiak levelled for the hosts after the 'keeper spilled the ball midway through the first half.
Wolves regained the lead through David Jones five minutes before half-time with a 25-yard free-kick. However, the hosts were back on level terms just after the break through John-Joe O'Toole's close-range shot.
The Hornets then missed a penalty after Jones fouled O'Toole but Tommy Smith's spot-kick sailed over the bar. Wolves took advantage through Michael Gray who scored with a close-range shot with 20 minutes remaining.

Third-placed Reading failed to keep pace with the top two as QPR became the first side to take a point from the Madejski Stadium this season.
Just 24 hours after the sacking of Iain Dowie, the managerless Hoops ground out a goalless draw against Steve Coppell's high-flyers.
Daniel Parejo and Akos Buszaky forced good saves from Marcus Hahnemann in the second half, but the home side were denied two good appeals for penalties before Kalifa Cisse's header almost grabbed the win.

Bristol City also failed to keep pace after a 0-0 draw with lowly Barnsley. The Tykes moved out of the drop zone, leapfrogging Southampton in the process.

Cardiff leapfrogged the Robins with a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest.
Joe Garner hit the post for Forest early on as the hosts dominated.
It was inevitable the Bluebirds would score and the first goal came 10 minutes after half-time following a foul by Lewis McGugan on Stephen McPhail in the box. Ross McCormack scored with the spot-kick to leave the hosts rooted to the bottom of the table.

Sheffield United moved into fifth thanks to a 1-0 win over Preston at Bramall Lane.
James Beattie came close early on but it was Ugo Ehiogu who scored the only goal of the game shortly after half-time when he stabbed home from five yards following a scramble in the area.

Burnley started the day in sixth but they were held to a 1-1 draw by struggling Charlton at The Valley. Steven Thompson put the Clarets ahead after 13 minutes from Joey Gudjonsson's right-wing cross.
The Addicks drew level through Svetoslav Todorov's close-range header with quarter-of-an-hour left.

Plymouth went down to an emphatic 3-1 home defeat against Ipswich with Owen Garvan scoring twice.
Garvan put Town ahead after a scramble in the box in the 28th minute and the same player doubled the visitors' lead after the defence failed to clear.
Kevin Lisbie made it 3-0 before the Pilgrims pulled one back through Craig Cathcart with a little over 10 minutes remaining with a header for his first senior goal.
Former Argyle midfielder David Norris was dismissed at the death for his second bookable offence.

Swansea claimed a 3-0 home win over Southampton.
The Swans went ahead through Darren Pratley, Jordi Gomez doubling the hosts' lead with Thomas Butler sealing the win.

Norwich claimed a last-minute win over lowly Doncaster.
The South Yorkshire side took the lead through Brian Stock's penalty but the Canaries levelled in the 83rd minute through Antoine Sibierski's header. Leroy Lita then broke Rovers' hearts with a close-range volley in added time.

Coventry also scored a last-minute goal to claim a 1-1 draw with Derby at the Ricoh Arena.
Rob Hulse had put the Rams ahead with a thumping header before Clinton Morrison's late intervention.

Blackpool and Crystal Palace shared a 2-2 draw at Bloomfield Road.
Palace went ahead through Paul Ifill before Ben Burgess equalised just after half-time.
However, Craig Beattie immediately put the Eagles ahead again before Ian Evatt levelled from close range.

Table

Teams P GD Pts
1 Birmingham 13 10 30
2 Wolverhampton 13 10 28
------------------------------
3 Reading 13 15 24
4 Cardiff 13 5 22
5 Sheff Utd 13 8 21
6 Bristol City 13 4 20
------------------------------
7 Swansea 13 2 20
8 Burnley 13 0 20
9 QPR 13 1 19
10 Plymouth 13 1 18
11 Blackpool 13 -1 18
12 Sheff Wed 13 -8 18
13 Ipswich 13 5 17
14 Derby 13 0 17
15 Preston 13 -3 17
16 Crystal Palace 13 1 16
17 Coventry 13 -1 16
18 Norwich 13 -1 16
19 Watford 13 -1 15
20 Charlton 13 -4 14
21 Barnsley 13 -6 12
---------------------------
22 Southampton 13 -10 12
23 Doncaster 13 -14 8
24 Nottm Forest 13 -13 6

[Dirko]

Happy with Derby's form of late after a shocker of a start. 3 points adrift of the playoff spot is a good thing. Hell of a long way to go, but am confident that the Rams will come good, and push for the top flight.

[johntheclaret]

Happy with Derby's form of late after a shocker of a start. 3 points adrift of the playoff spot is a good thing. Hell of a long way to go, but am confident that the Rams will come good, and push for the top flight.

Apart from the top two (And Wolves have a habit of fading at the back end of the season), tghis year is more open than last Jabber. 17th place is a win off the play off's .

Last week Sheff Wed moved up 10 places with thier win over Utd, then dropped 7 places after losing mid week. That's how tight it is. Great for the game though.

[Dirko]

Forgot to add...Pi55 of Forrest

[mighty_tiger_79]

the mighty birmingham boys havent lost in there last 6 and are currently getting the points on the board nice and early!!!

[RoosterMarty]

Forgot to add...Pi55 of Forrest

Another win to Cardiff... away as well. The Bluebirds are going ok, just need to keep it up. Forest look like heading back down.

[hazza11]

the mighty birmingham boys havent lost in there last 6 and are currently getting the points on the board nice and early!!!

Great result again for the brummies! My man O'Connor 3 goals in 2 games.

[devilsadvocate]

Burnley started the day in sixth but they were held to a 1-1 draw by struggling Charlton at The Valley. Steven Thompson put the Clarets ahead after 13 minutes from Joey Gudjonsson's right-wing cross.
The Addicks drew level through Svetoslav Todorov's close-range header with quarter-of-an-hour left.

Table

Teams P GD Pts
1 Birmingham 13 10 30
2 Wolverhampton 13 10 28
------------------------------
3 Reading 13 15 24
4 Cardiff 13 5 22
5 Sheff Utd 13 8 21
6 Bristol City 13 4 20
------------------------------
7 Swansea 13 2 20
8 Burnley 13 0 20
9 QPR 13 1 19
10 Plymouth 13 1 18
11 Blackpool 13 -1 18
12 Sheff Wed 13 -8 18
13 Ipswich 13 5 17
14 Derby 13 0 17
15 Preston 13 -3 17
16 Crystal Palace 13 1 16
17 Coventry 13 -1 16
18 Norwich 13 -1 16
19 Watford 13 -1 15
20 Charlton 13 -4 14
21 Barnsley 13 -6 12
---------------------------
22 Southampton 13 -10 12
23 Doncaster 13 -14 8
24 Nottm Forest 13 -13 6

Clarets should have taken 3 points by all accounts, but I guess a point away from home is always reasonable.

It's VERY tight from 4th to 20th, but that's what makes the CCC so great.

[johntheclaret]

Come on you Carrots. You bloody ripper. GET IN

"Bad Beat Bob" Robbie Blake seals it with another stunner 10 minutes from time. Brina "The Beast" Jensen was outstanding in goal for Burnley. An unbelievable double save in the 1st half, how Reading weren't in front, I just don't know.

Fanbloodytastic. WooHoo

Will post up the full results later, but in short, Wolves won and go top, Brum lost to 10 man managerless QPR, Reading lose anf go 4th as Cardiff win and leapfrog them into 3rd. Burnley's win puts them in 5th. And just for Jabber, Forest won at Palace.

[devilsadvocate]

WW!
WW!
WW!

Owen Coyle's Claret and Blue Aaaaarmy!

WW!
WW!
WW!

5th! keep racking up the 3 pointers you Clarets!

Chavski better be shaking!

[johntheclaret]

Mate it was sensational. We really toughed it out tonight. Reading had more pace, and more skill. We had a makeshift back four with both RB Duff and CB Carlilse pulling out at the last minute and LB Kalvenes going off early. He wasa already carrying an injury. We had to put alexander to RB, Jordan, who can't get into the team in his favoured LB position, played CB then moved to LB and Chris McCann had to play CB.

We fought for everything, bloked everything and Blake was pure class tonight when he came on.

Oh, and I had a fiver at 7/1 on a 1 - 0 win so a nice 35 notes as well

You would ahve loved it there tonight. Claret fans were brilliant. great atmos, backed the team all night. Standing ovation for the Beast at the end. I nearly cried

[RoosterMarty]

I got to work today and it was 0-0 between Cardiff and Blackpool.. then Whittingham and McCormack (again) score.. beautiful stuff.

Could we see Burnley and Cardiff in the playoffs this season?