The leaders march on, Boro remain unbeaten, a thriller at Upton Park and two of the strugglers finally get off the mark.
These and more are featured in TheHardTackle’s Top 6 highlights from Round 6 of the Championship:
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Brighton and Southampton march on
Early season pacesetters Brighton and Southampton both continued their impressive starts to the season with victories at the weekend.
Gus Poyet’s men ground out a 1-0 win with Ashley Barnes’ fourth goal of the season proving decisive. Bristol City’s former England goalkeeper David James performed heroics to keep the league leaders at bay, saving superbly from Craig Noone and Craig Mackail-Smith. But, with ten minutes to go, he was finally beaten when Barnes netted from close range. With ex-Spain international Vicente still to come into the Seagulls’ team, Gus Poyet’s men have made a splendid start to the season.
Southampton added to Steve McClaren’s woes as a Rickie Lambert hat-trick gave the Saints a 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest. After a turbulent international break in which McClaren was close to leave his City Ground post, the ex-England boss saw his side go ahead at St Mary’s through Matt Derbyshire. The Saints were level immediately when Rickie Lambert scored, then ahead when the same man headed past Lee Camp. Shortly before the break though, the scores were levelled when Radoslaw Majewski low shot made it 2-2.
There was a major talking point early in the second half when Derbyshire appeared to be tripped by Saints keeper Kelvin Davis, only for the referee to book the Forest striker for diving. To add insult to injury for McClaren, Lambert completed his hat-trick with eight minutes to go to give the Nigel Adkins’ side all 3 points and a club record 12th successive home league win.
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Brilliant M’Boro beat Burnley
Middlesbrough extended their fine unbeaten start to the season with an impressive 2-0 victory away at Burnley.
Tony Mowbray’s men took the lead when midfielder Nick Bailey hit a volley from 20 yards. It was Bailey’s first goal for Boro since his move from Charlton last season.
Exciting youngster Joe Bennett cemented the win with his first senior goal.
The win leaves Boro in third place, with 14 points from six games. They remain unbeaten along with leaders Brighton.
Coventry and Watford pick up first wins
Coventry City and Watford finally got their first wins of the season with 2-0 successes over Derby county and Reading respectively.
In Saturday evening’s televised match, Coventry had to wait until the second-half before a controversial penalty decision allowed Polish striker Lukas Jutkiewicz to give the Sky Blues the lead. A superb Carl Baker volley made the game safe against their Midlands rivals, who have now lost their last two games after opening the season with four successive wins.
Sean Dyche’s Watford also picked up their first three points, as they returned from Reading with a superb 2-0 success. Mark Yeates gave the Hornets the lead after 12 minutes when he curled in a 25-yard free-kick. Yeates went close again, before skipper John Eustace sealed the win with a tap-in from close range early in the second-half.
Both sides now climb out of the bottom three.
Action galore at Upton Park
West Ham finally got their first home win of the season in an action-packed 4-3 win over Portsmouth.
Former Blackpool striker Luke Varney gave Pompey the lead after 8 minutes, only for former Portsmouth midfielder Matt Taylor to level a minute later with a brilliant 20-yard free-kick.
Early in the second half, on-loan Arsenal midfielder Henri Lansbury put the Hammers in front with a deflected shot, only for David Norris to level on the hour.
On 67 minutes, Portsmouth were reduced to 10 men when skipper LiamLawrence received his second caution for a lunge on David Bentley. The home side took advantage, first Mark Noble slotted home a penalty after a handball, then Carlton Cole rose superbly to head home a Taylor cross.
As the game entered stoppage time, West Ham striker Frederic Piquionne saw red for an off-the-ball incident with Pompey’s Greg Halford, then Halford converted a penalty to make it 4-3 when Tal Ben Haim was upended.
Almost immediately, the whistle was sounded to end an eventful game, with West Ham finally gaining their first three home points of the season.
Old boy returns to beat the Posh
Former Peterborough United striker Aaron McLean returned to London Road to net the winner as Hull City won 1-0.
- Aaron McLean scored against his former club
McLean made his mark for Posh alongside Craig Mackail-Smith and George Boyd in Darren Ferguson’s free-scoring side, scoring 66 goals in 148 appearances. In December 2010, he left for Hull City, returning to Peterborough for the first time on Saturday.
In a game of few chances, Martyn Waghorn went closest for the visitors when he hit the Peterborough bar. But, shortly after half-time, a Hull corner fell to McLean, who rifled a half-volley into the top corner to remind Posh fans of his striking abilities.
Cardiff win in emotional circumstances
Following the death of Cardiff City fan Mike Dye at Wembley on Wednesday, emotions were high at the Cardiff City stadium for the visit of Doncaster Rovers. Flowers were laid in remembrance of the Bluebird supporter, whilst a minute’s silence was observed before the game, with Wales manager Gary Speed in attendance.
Captain Anthony Gerrard, cousin of Liverpool and England star Steven, gave the Bluebirds the lead early in the second half when he rose to head home a corner.
Striker Rob Earnshaw, who spurned a great chance to earn Wales a draw with England in the week, showed he still knows where the net is as he grabbed a second Cardiff goal with 15 minutes.
Cardiff move into sixth, whilst Doncaster remain rooted to the foot of the table.
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Round 6 results:
Barnsley 1-1 Leicester City
Birmingham City 3-0 Millwall
Blackpool 2-0 Ipswich Town
Bristol City 0-1 Brighton and Hove Albion
Burnley 0-2 Middlesbrough
Cardiff City 2-0 Doncaster Rovers
Coventry City 2-0 Derby County
Leeds United 3-2 Crystal Palace
Peterborough United 0-1 Hull City
Reading 0-2 Watford
Southampton 3-2 Nottingham Forest
West Ham United 4-3 Portsmouth
Click Here to view the latest Championship table
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