Championship round-up: Norwich return to summit, Aston Villa thrash Derby, Brentford earn bragging rights over west London rivals QPR

Championship round-up: Norwich return to summit, Aston Villa thrash Derby, Brentford earn bragging rights over west London rivals QPR
Norwich maintained their bid for automatic promotion with a 3-1 win at Millwall to return to the Championship summit.After being replaced at the top by Leeds following United’s 4-0 win over West Brom on Friday night, the Canaries responded in fine fashion.3

Nigel Farke’s men return to the top of the Championship

City opened the scoring in the 16th minute, with Marco Stiepermann firing into an unguarded net from 12 yards after Jordan Archer had saved a shot from Onel Hernandez.The Lions levelled just before the interval, Shaun Williams heading home his seventh goal of the season after Steve Morison flicked on a corner with his heel.But Norwich wrapped up the points in the second half with goals from Christoph Zimmermann and Teemu Pukki, the latter scoring his 24th in the league this season.The result of the day was at Villa Park where Aston Villa, who had won just one of their previous 10 league matches, hammered Derby 4-0.Conor Hourihane opened the scoring after nine minutes before Villa ran riot at the end of the first half with three goals in eight minutes. Tammy Abraham first tapped home his 21st of the season before unselfishly teeing up Hourihane for his second and Villa’s third soon after.In injury time Jack Grealish, after three months on the sidelines with injury and captaining the side for the first time, thundered home a stunning volley to hand the Rams a third straight league defeat.Two goals from Jarrod Bowen, taking his tally to 18 for the season and 14 in his last 16 games, continued Hull’s push for a play-off place as the Tigers beat Birmingham 2-0 at the KCOM Stadium.Feeding on a through-ball from Marc Pugh, Bowen stroked home the opener in the 23rd minute before adding a 60th-minute penalty after he had been brought down by goalkeeper Lee Camp.Nottingham Forest’s play-off hopes suffered a blow with a 2-0 defeat at Stoke where Peter Etebo and Benik Afobe were on the scoresheet.Brentford enjoyed a 3-0 victory, beating QPR at Griffin Park for a seventh straight win on home soil.3

Brentford’s fine form continued

Neal Maupay made it 20 goals in the league this season, stroking home a 50th-minute penalty after Grant Hall had brought down Ollie Watkins before the French striker then teed up Said Benrahma for the second in the 71st minute. Sergi Canos completed the scoring deep into injury time.Relegation-threatened Rotherham secured a precious 3-2 win over Blackburn at the New York Stadium.After drawing their last five, and with only one win in their previous 18 in the league, the Millers grabbed a second-minute lead when defender Semi Ajayi headed home a long throw from Will Vaulks for his second goal in two matches.Although Ipswich equalised in the 51st minute through Amari’i Bell, the home side regained the lead six minutes later, with substitute Ryan Williams on hand to turn home a Vaulks cross before Ajayi headed home his second in the 84th minute. Charlie Mulgrew got Rovers’ second with an injury-time penalty.Ipswich remain rooted to the foot of the table after losing 2-1 to fellow strugglers Reading at Portman Road.3

Reading secured a massive victory

Nelson Oliveira made it three goals in six games following his loan move from Norwich in January, rifling a fierce shot into the top corner in the 19th minute to put the visitors in front.Town seemed to have rescued a point when Gwion Edwards volleyed in from a narrow angle seven minutes from time, only for Mo Barrow to give the Royals the win with a fine late finish.Nine-man Bolton crashed to a 2-0 defeat at Swansea to increase their relegation fears.After Remi Matthews had saved a poor Oli McBurnie penalty in the 36th minute – his second miss from the spot this season – Bolton went into the break down to 10 men.Craig Noone, who had been booked in giving away the spot-kick, was shown a second yellow two minutes before the break for a poor challenge on McBurnie.David Wheater was then shown a straight red in the 73rd minute for a deliberate foul on Wayne Routledge, with McBurnie and Bersant Celina capitalising to give the Swans the win.Middlesbrough missed the chance to close on the top two after they were held to a goalless draw at Wigan, while fellow play-off hopefuls Bristol City could only draw 1-1 at Preston.Daniel Johnson rifled home the opener three minutes before the break, but Famara Diedhiou grabbed a point for the visiting Robins in the 69th minute.

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Arsenal boss Unai Emery says he looks forward the introduction of VAR in the Premier League next season after the Gunners conceded a controversial penalty in the 1-1 draw with Tottenham. Harry Kane cancelled out Aaron Ramsey's opener from the penalty spot, but he was clearly offside before being brought down by Shkodran Mustafi.
Tottenham 1-1 Arsenal: Unai Emery can't wait for introduction

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Declan Rice has urged West Ham to carry over the momentum from their first win of the season for the visit of London rivals Chelsea on Sunday. West Ham ended a miserable four-match losing streak

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Raheem Sterling offers funny explanation for FA Cup final rollicking from Pep Guardiola Sterling and Guardiola were seen having a passionate discussion after the 6-0 win over Watford By talkSPORT
Raheem Sterling offers funny explanation for FA Cup final

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~ Ryan Kent: Rangers winger facing two-match ban for shoving Celtic captain Scott Brown in the face ~ Kenya Latest
Rangers: Ryan Kent offered ban for lashing out at Celtic

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Eden Hazard has strongly implied that he is leaving Chelsea this summer, after revealing he has made his decision about his future. The Belgian flyer was a substitute in the drab final day stalemate with Leicester, which is expected to be his final Premier League game for the club.
Eden Hazard: Chelsea star drops huge hint about Real Madrid

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"After I left West Ham, joint chairman David Gold said I had cost the club £16million in fees and wages. That was a classy touch. When Gold and David Sullivan bought the club they talked about the extraordinary wages West Ham were paying and how one player who had barely played ought to have the decency to retire.

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Bayern Munich are still eyeing Callum Hudson-Odoi despite his recent injury. The Chelsea winger suffered a ruptured achilles tendon as Maurizio Sarri's side slumped to a 2-2 draw against Burnley
~ Christian Pulisic: 10 things you didn't know about about

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Chelsea transfer news: Aston Villa want to reunite Gary Cahill and John Terry in Premier League Cahill, who will be a free agent this summer, starred alongside Villa No.2 Terry at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea transfer news: Aston Villa want to reunite Gary

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WHETHER you think his has been a mission impossible or is now a position untenable - Phil Parkinson made it to 1,000 days in charge of Bolton Wanderers. The milestone passed by yesterday as he

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Scotland manager news: Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke says he wants to manage his country at 'some stage' The Scottish Football Association is on the hunt for a new national team boss after Alex
Steve Clarke is named new Scotland manager on three-year deal

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BACK WITH A BAMF Leeds United 4-0 West Bromwich Albion: Patrick Bamford double and Pablo Hernandez scorcher help Marcelo Bielsa's men return to the top of the Championship
Patrick Bamford double and Pablo Hernandez scorcher help
sportsalert.org/2019/03/01/patrick-bamford-double-and-pablo-hernandez-scorcher-help-marcelo-bielsas-men-return-to-the-top-of-the-championship/
Patrick Bamford struck twice for Leeds United as they moved back to the top of the Championship after a 4-0 demolition of West Bromwich Albion. The Baggies made the worst possible start at Elland Road as Pablo Hernandez sent a scorching strike past the despairing dive of Sam Johnstone within 16 seconds.
Leeds United 4-0 West Bromwich Albion: Patrick Bamford double
hollywoodadviser.com/leeds-united-4-0-west-bromwich-albion-patrick-bamford-double-and-pablo-hernandez-scorcher-help-marcelo-bielsas-men-return-to-the-top-of-the-championship/
Patrick Bamford struck twice for Leeds United as they moved back to the top of the Championship after a 4-0 demolition of West Bromwich Albion. The Baggies made the worst possible start at Elland Road as Pablo Hernandez sent a scorching strike past the despairing dive of Sam Johnstone within 16 seconds.
Patrick Bamford double and Pablo Hernandez scorcher help

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Aston Villa 4-1 Wolves: Three second half goals see Steve Bruce's side move up to third while Cardiff edge closer to Championship leaders. Two goals in five minutes from James Chester and Lewis
The Runaway Train That is West Ham United - West Ham Till I Die

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Virgil van Dijk has called for patience from Liverpool fans, admitting he could sense nervousness from the crowd following their 1-1 draw with Leicester on Wednesday. Jurgen Klopp's side failed to beat a side outside of the top six for the first time this season after the Foxes battled back to claim a point at Anfield in snowy conditions.
Liverpool must not allow the fear of failure to grip them in

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top read If you're stuck for ideas, our presenter is here to help Stuck for a Christmas present to buy special someone this year? Well, Adrian Durham is here to help! talkSPORT's Drivetime host is an avid reader of sports books and here, he offers up his recommendations.
Adrian Durham | The Sun Journalist | Muck Rack

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