Championship
A bad day for Red Bull proved altogether more enjoyable for McClaren as Derby maintained their slender advantage at the top of the table. While the Formula One team was left reeling after the theft of more than 60 trophies from its factory in Milton Keynes, over at Pride Park the only silverware that Derby manager Steve McClaren will be hoping to steal this season is the Championship title. And while it would be rash to read too much into a 3-0 trouncing of Brighton – entrenched at the wrong end of the table, Sami Hyypia’s team have now won just once in 13 games – a quick return to winning ways will no doubt have injected the league leaders with a renewed sense of momentum following last weekend’s setback at Elland Road.
Talking of Leeds, who travelled to Portman Road, they rarely seem more comfortable than when staring down the barrel. Massimo Cellino may have been disqualified from owning the club but, true to form, the West Yorkshire side threatened to upset the odds for a second week running when Mirco Antenucci gave them an early lead against second-placed Ipswich. For once, though, it was not to be, Daryl Murphy claiming a brace as Mick McCarthy’s side swept to a 4-1 win that keeps them a point behind Derby.
Also on the wrong end of a big scoreline were Millwall, who welcomed high-flying Middlesbrough to south-east London perhaps encouraged by the knowledge that, though struggling, they have turned living dangerously into something of an art form this season. On five occasions Ian Holloway’s men have retrieved a two-goal deficit – against Wolves they even recovered from 3-0 down – but a Jelle Vossen hat-trick and goals from Patrick Bamford and Kike proved beyond even their powers of recovery.
Boro’s 5-1 victory took them up to fourth, level on points and goal difference with Bournemouth, who came from behind to beat Wolves 2-1 at Molineux courtesy of a late goal from Matt Richie. Eddie Howe’s men stay third on goals scored.
The losers at the top of the table were Brentford, who fell from third to fifth after losing 2-1 at Huddersfield.
Sheffield Wednesday’s 2-1 win at Blackburn Rovers was marred by a serious injury to Lewis McGugan. The midfielder, on loan at Hillsborough from Watford, was involved in a collision with Blackburn’s Lee Williamson that left him inert before he was conveyed from the pitch on a stretcher, wearing a neck brace.
Blackpool remain rooted to the foot of the table despite a 1-0 win over Birmingham – their first victory since early October – while fellow basement dwellers Wigan lost 1-0 at home to Norwich, who are now just two points off sixth spot.
FA Cup
Who said you’ll win nothing with kids? Adam Murray may be no whippersnapper in playing terms, but the 33-year-old Mansfield Town midfielder, who this week became the youngest manager in the Football League, marked his first game as permanent boss with a 2-2 draw at Cambridge United that keeps the League Two club firmly in the hunt for a third-round spot. The stalemate was one of four in the eight fixtures played – a measure, perhaps, of the high stakes at what is a pivotal stage in the competition for clubs dreaming of a trip to Anfield or Old Trafford.
For Oldham, though, there will be no repeat of the giant-killing act that accounted for Liverpool a couple of seasons ago. Lee Johnson’s side lost 1-0 at home to League One rivals Doncaster.
Chesterfield likewise saw off fellow League One opposition, a header from the French striker Armand Gnanduillet securing a narrow win at MK Dons.
Preston dumped Shrewsbury out of a cup competition for the second time this season, Paul Huntington’s first-half goal giving them a 1-0 win to go alongside the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy victory they notched up against the same visitors at Deepdale in September.
And on a day of draws and tight margins, Sheffield United bucked the trend with a 3-0 victory over Plymouth. Even this, though, was a closer affair than the final score might suggest, Reuben Reid missing a chance to open the scoring for Plymouth from the spot before United twice converted spot kicks of their own. No one cares about the Cup any more? Don’t you believe it.
