Tuesday 23 March 2010
Spurs swoop to sign combative Brazilian Sandro
Harry Redknapp has delved into the transfer market to sign long term target 20 year old Brazilian midfielder Sandro Ranieri.
The Spurs boss has been tracking the movements of the young holding midfielder for some time following a failed 14 million pound transfer bid last summer. Sandro, whose full name is Sandro Ranieri Guimarães Cordeiro, will add some resolve to a Spurs midfield that is largely built upon its attacking merits, and fill the void of left by the departure of Dider Zokora. Sandro made his full international debut for ten man Brazil in September 2009, coming off the bench to to replace Julio Baptista in a 4-2 World Cup Qualification win over Chile.
Whilst primarily a defensive player, the six foot one Internacional player harbours many of the ball-playing skills that we have come to expect from Brazilian footballers. His finishing appears decent too, as demonstrated in this video of his goal against Sporting Recife:
Prior to his move to north London, Sandro had been linked with moves to many of Europe's top clubs. It was rumoured that both the Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona were interested in the young midfielder, whilst the main Italian interest appeared to be Fiorentina. However, it is the persistance of Spurs that has led to something of a coup for Redknapp's side.
It would be understandable for Spurs fans to have reservations, however. The last time their side splashed out on a Brazilian, they ended up with the mercurial 'keeper Heurelho Gomes. But early indications are promising on the prospects of the internationally decorated Sandro. Harry Redknapp has a strong pedigree in the transfer market, and doesn't often make mistakes, particularly when large fees are involved.
The Brazilian will join up with Spurs at the conclusion of this year's Copa Libertodores in July, subject to a medical, for a fee believed to be around £10 million.
Monday 22 March 2010
Millwall underline their promotion credentials
Goals from two graduates of non league football fired Millwall to within three points of Leeds in the battle for League One's automatic promotion places.
Simon Grayson's Leeds were a mere shadow of the side that started the season dominantly, holding the lead of the league for four months. The Yorkshire side were without top scorer Jermaine Beckford, who missed out with a tight hamstring, but it would have taken a massive performance from the striker if Leeds were to have taken anything from this tie.
Grayson's side were dealt their first blow of the evening when influential defender Patrick Kisnorbo was stretchered off after just six minutes with an apparent recurrence of an achilles problem. The Australian pulled up with his injury tracking the menacing Steve Morison. And it was the former Stevenage Borough striker who put The Lions ahead just five minutes later, latching onto a deep cross to rifle the ball into the midriff of the helpless Casper Ankegren as both 'keeper and ball hit the back of the net.
Following the opener, the East London side continued to dominate, and looked likely to score a second goal amid apprehensive Leeds defending. Extra pressure was applied to the home side's back four as Leeds were perpetually wasteful with possession in midfield. It wasn't until approaching half time that the Yorkshire club began to gain something of a foothold.
"Leeds were perpetually wasteful with possession in midfield"
After the break Leeds showed much more urgency in getting the ball forward, but lacked the necessary creative spark to generate realistic goal scoring opportunities. Usually inventive midfielders Luciano Becchio and Robert Snodgrass both looked short of imagination in their play, and they were ably shut down by the hard working Millwall midfielder Nadjim Abdou. With Leeds unable to convert their increasing dominance into clear cut chances they conceded a goal which will have frustrated manager Simon Grayson.
Freshly introduced winger Shaun Batt battled well on the left hand side following a throw in down the line, scrapping to work the ball goalwards before firing in a speculative near-post effort. Casper Akegren was beaten at his near post by the power of the strike, but the ball appeared to go underneath the Danish 'keeper's hand. The goal all but settled the tie, and the impressive Steve Morison showed competence and perseverance in winning a series of corners, enabling the away side to close down the match.
Leeds' recent woes continue. Having looked like Champions elect around the turn of the new year their season is going downhill. Their problems may well be compounded in their next fixture, as they travel to run away league leaders Norwich. Defeat at Carrow Road would likely see the Yorkshire club retain their automatic promotion spot on goal difference alone, and boss Simon Grayson will be eager to take a positive result. Millwall, on the other hand, are building a head of steam at the perfect juncture. With increasingly strong results, Millwall look the most likely side to take the automatic promotion spot and make a return to The Championship following a four year absence.
Simon Grayson's Leeds were a mere shadow of the side that started the season dominantly, holding the lead of the league for four months. The Yorkshire side were without top scorer Jermaine Beckford, who missed out with a tight hamstring, but it would have taken a massive performance from the striker if Leeds were to have taken anything from this tie.
Grayson's side were dealt their first blow of the evening when influential defender Patrick Kisnorbo was stretchered off after just six minutes with an apparent recurrence of an achilles problem. The Australian pulled up with his injury tracking the menacing Steve Morison. And it was the former Stevenage Borough striker who put The Lions ahead just five minutes later, latching onto a deep cross to rifle the ball into the midriff of the helpless Casper Ankegren as both 'keeper and ball hit the back of the net.
Following the opener, the East London side continued to dominate, and looked likely to score a second goal amid apprehensive Leeds defending. Extra pressure was applied to the home side's back four as Leeds were perpetually wasteful with possession in midfield. It wasn't until approaching half time that the Yorkshire club began to gain something of a foothold.
"Leeds were perpetually wasteful with possession in midfield"
After the break Leeds showed much more urgency in getting the ball forward, but lacked the necessary creative spark to generate realistic goal scoring opportunities. Usually inventive midfielders Luciano Becchio and Robert Snodgrass both looked short of imagination in their play, and they were ably shut down by the hard working Millwall midfielder Nadjim Abdou. With Leeds unable to convert their increasing dominance into clear cut chances they conceded a goal which will have frustrated manager Simon Grayson.
Freshly introduced winger Shaun Batt battled well on the left hand side following a throw in down the line, scrapping to work the ball goalwards before firing in a speculative near-post effort. Casper Akegren was beaten at his near post by the power of the strike, but the ball appeared to go underneath the Danish 'keeper's hand. The goal all but settled the tie, and the impressive Steve Morison showed competence and perseverance in winning a series of corners, enabling the away side to close down the match.
Leeds' recent woes continue. Having looked like Champions elect around the turn of the new year their season is going downhill. Their problems may well be compounded in their next fixture, as they travel to run away league leaders Norwich. Defeat at Carrow Road would likely see the Yorkshire club retain their automatic promotion spot on goal difference alone, and boss Simon Grayson will be eager to take a positive result. Millwall, on the other hand, are building a head of steam at the perfect juncture. With increasingly strong results, Millwall look the most likely side to take the automatic promotion spot and make a return to The Championship following a four year absence.
Sunday 21 March 2010
Sunday Round-Up
The Premiership:
Manchester United moved back to the top of the Premier League after a cagey 2-1 over arch-rivals Liverpool.
Sir Alex Ferguson fielded a familiar first XI for a game of this magnitude, handing starts to the combative Darren Fletcher and Ji-Sung Park. And it was United's two big-game players who linked up to supply the Champions with a valuable win at a boisterous Old Trafford. Fletcher's pinpoint cross on the hour-mark saw Park win a brave header, before being struck on the head by Glen Johnson's boot in a despairing attempt at clearing his lines.
Liverpool's Fernando Torres had handed the visitors a surprise lead after just 5 minutes, when the Spaniard intercepted Dirk Kuyt's centre with a powerful header. This early goal contributed to a lively opening to the fixture, with both sides committing men forward. It was during one of the home-side's attacking forays that Javier Mascherano once again proved to be the villain for Liverpool against United.
"Mascherano once again proved to be
the villain for Liverpool against United"
Mascherano cynically tugged on the arm of Antonio Valencia, who had eluded him, but appeared to have been fouled outside of the penalty area. Referee Howard Webb interpreted the offence as a penalty, and subsequently showed the Argentine midfielder the yellow card. the villain for Liverpool against United"
England's hero in-waiting Wayne Rooney stepped up confidently, but saw Liverpool 'keeper Reina make a commanding save away to his left. If you could level any criticism at Reina, it was the he had dived too far, and could only bunt the ball back to a relieved Wayne Rooney for simple tap-in.
The result moved gave United a 2 point lead at the top of the table, following Chelsea's lacklustre 1-1 draw away at Blackburn.
Events from Ewood Park will have frustrated Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti, who saw his side start strong, and take the lead as his two front-men combined for Didier Drogba's 28th goal of the season. Supplying the assist was Nicolas Anelka, who has shared a prolific partnership with Drogba under the stewardship of Chelsea's Italian manager. Anelka showed pace and power as he surged down the right hand flank before pulling a smart ball back for the Ivorian striker to slot home with his left.
"Anelka has shared a prolific partnership with
Drogba under the stewardship of Ancelotti"
Drogba under the stewardship of Ancelotti"
Carlo Ancelotti will have been looking for a response from his side, following their Champions League exit in mid-week. The Chelsea boss witnessed his side allow Blackburn to re-establish a foothold in the fixture, and, as the hosts built a head of steam the equaliser seemed inevitable. Michel Salgado rolled back the years as he exposed the counter attacking Chelsea, flying down the right wing before delivering a centre for El-Hadji Diouf who out-leapt Paulo Ferreira to pull the home side level on 70 minutes.
Sam Allardyce's Blackburn showed great character in grinding out the result, withstanding increasing Chelsea pressure as the match drew to a close. No player typified the performance more than 18-year old debutant Phil Jones. The young centre back was handed the man of the match award for his lion-hearted display at the back, and showed all the qualities that Allardyce expects from one of his sides.
Goals from Roque Santa Cruz and Carlos Tevez handed Manchester City a confident 2-1 win at Craven Cottage.
Roberto Mancini's side started well with Santa Cruz following-up Craig Bellamy's 7th minute effort, which rebounded off the woodwork. And Tevez doubled City's lead ten minutes before half time from close range.
Gareth Barry handed the home side an opportunity to reduce the deficit on 75 minutes. The former Aston Villa man handled the ball, allowing Danny Murphy to convert from twelve yards.
But City held on to a 2-1 win against a Fulham team who appeared to show some weariness following their mid-week heroics in the Europa League. For City, the win moved them up into 5th ahead of the earlier-vanquished Liverpool and demonstrated their Champions League qualification credentials.
The Championship:
Cardiff City enjoyed a 3-1 home victory over strugglers Watford. Goals from Ross McCormack, Peter Whittingham and Chris Burke saw The Bluebirds maintain their playoff push as they opened up a 5 point margin between themselves and 7th placed Sheffield United. With the tie all but over, Heidar Helguson netted his eighth league goal of the season with a consolation on 93 minutes. Watford, in 19th place, sit just 3 points above the drop zone with 10 matches left to secure their Championship status.
Two first half Andy King goals and playoff-chasing Leicester City appeared to have given them complete control in this afternoon's home tie against Coventry. But The Sky Blues made a confident comeback in the second half to take a share of the spoils in front of the BBC cameras. Stuart McPake struck 8 minutes after the restart to bring Chris Coleman's side back into contention. It wasn't until Gary Deegan's 87th minute strike that the comeback was complete. There was a question of offside about the goal. Freshly introduced loanee Freddie Spears was stood in an offside position as Martin Cranie mis-hit an effort back into the box in the build-up to the equaliser, but whether or not he interfered with play was questionable.
Sam Allardyce's Blackburn showed great character in grinding out the result, withstanding increasing Chelsea pressure as the match drew to a close. No player typified the performance more than 18-year old debutant Phil Jones. The young centre back was handed the man of the match award for his lion-hearted display at the back, and showed all the qualities that Allardyce expects from one of his sides.
Goals from Roque Santa Cruz and Carlos Tevez handed Manchester City a confident 2-1 win at Craven Cottage.
Roberto Mancini's side started well with Santa Cruz following-up Craig Bellamy's 7th minute effort, which rebounded off the woodwork. And Tevez doubled City's lead ten minutes before half time from close range.
Gareth Barry handed the home side an opportunity to reduce the deficit on 75 minutes. The former Aston Villa man handled the ball, allowing Danny Murphy to convert from twelve yards.
But City held on to a 2-1 win against a Fulham team who appeared to show some weariness following their mid-week heroics in the Europa League. For City, the win moved them up into 5th ahead of the earlier-vanquished Liverpool and demonstrated their Champions League qualification credentials.
The Championship:
Cardiff City enjoyed a 3-1 home victory over strugglers Watford. Goals from Ross McCormack, Peter Whittingham and Chris Burke saw The Bluebirds maintain their playoff push as they opened up a 5 point margin between themselves and 7th placed Sheffield United. With the tie all but over, Heidar Helguson netted his eighth league goal of the season with a consolation on 93 minutes. Watford, in 19th place, sit just 3 points above the drop zone with 10 matches left to secure their Championship status.
Two first half Andy King goals and playoff-chasing Leicester City appeared to have given them complete control in this afternoon's home tie against Coventry. But The Sky Blues made a confident comeback in the second half to take a share of the spoils in front of the BBC cameras. Stuart McPake struck 8 minutes after the restart to bring Chris Coleman's side back into contention. It wasn't until Gary Deegan's 87th minute strike that the comeback was complete. There was a question of offside about the goal. Freshly introduced loanee Freddie Spears was stood in an offside position as Martin Cranie mis-hit an effort back into the box in the build-up to the equaliser, but whether or not he interfered with play was questionable.
Saturday 20 March 2010
News from the late kick offs
Ten-man Arsenal moved to the summit of the Premier League with a 2-0 home win over West Ham.
Denilson handed Arsenal the lead within five minutes, before Belgian centre half Thomas Vermaelen conceded a penalty and was subsequently given his marching orders on the stroke of half time. Manuel Almunia saved Diamanti's spot-kick to preserve the north London side's lead. Captain Cesc Fabregas settled the tie on 82 minutes from the penalty mark after Matthew Upson was adjudged to have handled the ball.
The win moves Arsenal a point clear at the top of The Premiership with Man United and Chelsea in action tomorrow afternoon. United host rivals Liverpool at 13:30 whilst Chelsea travel to Blackburn's Ewood Park in the 16:00 kick off. West Ham, however, failed to capitalise on defeats to relegation rivals Hull and Burnley, whilst seeing the two sides above them take positive results. West Ham's cushion between themselves and the drop zone remains at three.
Bristol City were pegged back from a two goal lead as Newcastle slip up at Ashston Gate.
First half goals from Lewin Nyatanga and Nicky Maynard handed caretaker Manager Keith Millen's side a 2-0 half time lead. But Newcastle made a strong comeback in the second half, with two goals in four minutes from Jonas Gutierrez and Andy Carroll leaving each side to share the spoils.
The result leaves Newcastle two points clear at the top of the table, with a game in hand over their three closest rivals. Boss Chris Hughton will be confident in promotion, but it is yet to be seen whether The Magpies will sustain their title charge. Bristol City, meanwhile, are seven points clear of the relegation zone and not yet safe from the drop.
Denilson handed Arsenal the lead within five minutes, before Belgian centre half Thomas Vermaelen conceded a penalty and was subsequently given his marching orders on the stroke of half time. Manuel Almunia saved Diamanti's spot-kick to preserve the north London side's lead. Captain Cesc Fabregas settled the tie on 82 minutes from the penalty mark after Matthew Upson was adjudged to have handled the ball.
The win moves Arsenal a point clear at the top of The Premiership with Man United and Chelsea in action tomorrow afternoon. United host rivals Liverpool at 13:30 whilst Chelsea travel to Blackburn's Ewood Park in the 16:00 kick off. West Ham, however, failed to capitalise on defeats to relegation rivals Hull and Burnley, whilst seeing the two sides above them take positive results. West Ham's cushion between themselves and the drop zone remains at three.
Bristol City were pegged back from a two goal lead as Newcastle slip up at Ashston Gate.
First half goals from Lewin Nyatanga and Nicky Maynard handed caretaker Manager Keith Millen's side a 2-0 half time lead. But Newcastle made a strong comeback in the second half, with two goals in four minutes from Jonas Gutierrez and Andy Carroll leaving each side to share the spoils.
The result leaves Newcastle two points clear at the top of the table, with a game in hand over their three closest rivals. Boss Chris Hughton will be confident in promotion, but it is yet to be seen whether The Magpies will sustain their title charge. Bristol City, meanwhile, are seven points clear of the relegation zone and not yet safe from the drop.
Saturday Afternoon Round-Up
The Premiership:
Harry Redknapp's Spurs earned a hard-fought away win at The Brittania Stadium after Niko Kranjcar's late goal seized the initative in the race for fourth. The north London side will have been buoyed by their 2-1 victory following a 2-2 draw in the early kick off for Aston Villa in an entertaining derby match with Midlands rivals Wolves. Villa boss Martin O' Neil will have been frustrated by his side's inability to overcome Wolves, and it took a late, and questionably offside equaliser from John Carew to secure a point for the Champions League chasing side. Elsewhere in the race for fourth spot, Everton did their prospects no harm with a professional 2-0 win over relegation-threatened Bolton at Goodison Park. Everton took the lead on 72 minutes shortly after the dismissal of the away side's Gretar Steinsson. The red card seemed to change the game, with Everton having being frustrated by the visitors to that point.
In this season's tense relegation scrap both Burnley and Hull conceded at the death to succumb to defeat. Iain Dowie's first game in charge of strugglers Hull seemed set to end in a priceless away win, until late goals from Jamie O' Hara and Nwankwo Kanu in the final two minutes snatched a 3-2 win for the doomed south coast team. Meanwhile, Hugo Rodallega's last minute goal over Brian Laws' Burnley will be considered by many as the goal that consigns Burnley to relegation in a heart-breaking 1-0 defeat.
At The Stadium of Light a goalkeeping masterclass from Sunderland stopper Craig Gordon saw the Black Cats safely through to a 3-1 win over stuttering Birmingham. Two early goals from Darren Bent saw the home side make an imperious start to the match, before Cameron Jerome pulled a goal back on 60 minutes to set up a tense finale. But Frazer Campbell's 88th minute goal settled the tie and brought Steve Bruce's side a welcome win over his former club to take Sunderland away from the relegation pack.
The Championship:
With Newcastle not due to kick off until 17:20, West Brom had an opportunity to close the gap at the top to just one point with a home game against Preston. The Baggies took their chance in a lively 3-2 victory, with all the goals coming in the first half. Having taken a 2-0 lead through goals from Ben Watson and Chris Brunt in the 7th and 9th minute, Preston defender Sean St. Ledger pulled one back for the visitors. Greame Dorrans restored a two-goal cushion for Roberto Di Matteo's side before Neil Mellor pulled another goal back for Preston on the stroke of half time. And 3-2 it stayed to take the automatic promotion chasing Baggies within a point of rivals Newcastle who would face Bristol City later on.
Robert Earnshaw's early goal proved to be the decider for Billy Davies' Nottingham Forest as they secured their 11th home win on the bounce over struggling Peterborough. The result leaves Forest 8 points behind automatic promotion with only 8 games remaining, which will surely prove to be insurmountable with Forest's patchy away form.
Playoff hopefuls Doncaster and Sheffield United played out a 1-1 draw at The Keepmoat Stadium, where it took a late James Harper equaliser to bring The Blades back on level terms. Meanwhile, playoff outsiders Middlesbrough and Reading also finished 1-1, as Blackpool needed a late Ben Burgess equaliser to share the spoils in a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace. The result leaves the league table looking ominous for Palace, as they drop into the relegation zone.
Elsewhere in the relegation battle, there were valuable home wins for both Ipswich and Scunthorpe. The 1-0 win for Roy Keane's side over Barnsley takes them 8 points clear of the meleé, and they can surely regard themselves as nearly home and dry. Scunthorpe secured a massive win over fellow strugglers Plymouth Argyle to lift themselves out of the relegatio zone and leave Plymouth 6 points off safety with a 65 minute Martyn Woolford winner in a 2-1 victory. And Scunthorpe's win left steel city club Sheffield Wednesday looking nervously over their shoulders with just a point separating them and the drop zone following a 0-0 stalemate at home against Derby County.
League One:
There was frustration in the race for automatic promotion as both Charlton and Norwich dropped points. Norwich still hold an 8 point lead at the top, with Leeds due to play their game in hand on Monday night with Millwall. But it could have been a 10 point gap, had it not been for a late Gorden Greer equaliser for the home side as playoff-chasing Swindon Town secured a 1-1 draw. Meanwhile a battling away performance from Gillingham saw them gain a point in a 2-2 draw against local rivals Charlton. The result leaves Charlton 4 points behind second-placed Leeds United, and Swindon move level on 67 points as they make a late bid for automatic promotion.
In the race for the playoffs, Colchester succumbed to a poor 1-0 away defeat to 10-man Walsall, courtesy of a dramatic 94th minute winner from Darren Byfield. Colchester's loss was Huddersfield's gain as they strolled to a comfortable 2-0 away win at Leyton Orient's Brisbane Road. And in the outisde pack, Bristol Rovers' 3-0 away win at Yeovil saw them move to within a point of MK Dons, who were heavily beaten 3-0 at home by rank outsiders for the playoffs, Southampton.
Meanwhile, in the tight relegation scrap there were draws for three of the four sides in the drop zone. Stockport County were defeated 1-0 at home to Brentford in a result which sounded the death-knell on their season. Wycombe and Exeter played out a 2-2 draw with a point bringing Exeter within a point of safety but leaving The Chairboys in real peril 7 points from survival. Southend also played out a 2-2 draw at Roots Hall against Carlisle. And in a tie between two sides not yet safe from relegation, Brighton enjoyed a 2-0 away win over Oldham to take them up into 14th spot, but still only 7 points away from the drop zone.
League Two:
Two late goals for Rochdale secured a 4-2 away win for champions elect away at Accrington. Both sides were reduced to 10-men after 74 minutes, after which Rochdale scored two late goals to take them 11 points clear at the top of the table. Notts County underlined their automatic promotion credentials with a battling 1-0 away win at Crewe Alexandra as Bournemouth's hopes were dealt a blow after they conceded a late goal away at Grimsby's Blundell Park to lose 3-2. The result was a massive one for The Mariners, bringing them back to 4 points off survival.
Rotherham applied further pressure to Bournemouth with a 1-0 victory over Bury, which saw the away side slip further down the table and away from the automatic promotion spot. And Chesterfield were left to settle for an away point at mid-table Burton Albion in a 2-2 draw between two sides who had both conceded 5 the previous Saturday; whilst Chesterfield having been hammered 5-0, Burton remarkably lost 6-5 at home to Cheltenham.
Results from the playoff hopefuls saw Northampton take a comfortable 3 points from fellow playoff contenders Morecambe in a 2-0 win at Sixfields as Aldershot enjoyed the same scoreline in a home win over Shrewsbury Town. Dagenham & Redbridge came from behind to secure a 3-1 home win over Macclesfield which leaves Macclesfield yet to be sure of League 2 survival.
At the foot of the table, Grimsby's 3-2 win over Bournemouth moves them to within 4 points of safety as a 2-1 home defeat for Darlington against Barnet all but confirmed their relegation as The Bees moved 10 points clear of the relegation zone. A 2-0 win for Hereford over Bradford meant they remained level with Barnet on points, also 10 points clear of the drop zone. The 1-1 stalemate between Cheltenham and Port Vale will leave The Robins nervously watching the progress of Grimsby Town behind them.
Harry Redknapp's Spurs earned a hard-fought away win at The Brittania Stadium after Niko Kranjcar's late goal seized the initative in the race for fourth. The north London side will have been buoyed by their 2-1 victory following a 2-2 draw in the early kick off for Aston Villa in an entertaining derby match with Midlands rivals Wolves. Villa boss Martin O' Neil will have been frustrated by his side's inability to overcome Wolves, and it took a late, and questionably offside equaliser from John Carew to secure a point for the Champions League chasing side. Elsewhere in the race for fourth spot, Everton did their prospects no harm with a professional 2-0 win over relegation-threatened Bolton at Goodison Park. Everton took the lead on 72 minutes shortly after the dismissal of the away side's Gretar Steinsson. The red card seemed to change the game, with Everton having being frustrated by the visitors to that point.
In this season's tense relegation scrap both Burnley and Hull conceded at the death to succumb to defeat. Iain Dowie's first game in charge of strugglers Hull seemed set to end in a priceless away win, until late goals from Jamie O' Hara and Nwankwo Kanu in the final two minutes snatched a 3-2 win for the doomed south coast team. Meanwhile, Hugo Rodallega's last minute goal over Brian Laws' Burnley will be considered by many as the goal that consigns Burnley to relegation in a heart-breaking 1-0 defeat.
At The Stadium of Light a goalkeeping masterclass from Sunderland stopper Craig Gordon saw the Black Cats safely through to a 3-1 win over stuttering Birmingham. Two early goals from Darren Bent saw the home side make an imperious start to the match, before Cameron Jerome pulled a goal back on 60 minutes to set up a tense finale. But Frazer Campbell's 88th minute goal settled the tie and brought Steve Bruce's side a welcome win over his former club to take Sunderland away from the relegation pack.
The Championship:
With Newcastle not due to kick off until 17:20, West Brom had an opportunity to close the gap at the top to just one point with a home game against Preston. The Baggies took their chance in a lively 3-2 victory, with all the goals coming in the first half. Having taken a 2-0 lead through goals from Ben Watson and Chris Brunt in the 7th and 9th minute, Preston defender Sean St. Ledger pulled one back for the visitors. Greame Dorrans restored a two-goal cushion for Roberto Di Matteo's side before Neil Mellor pulled another goal back for Preston on the stroke of half time. And 3-2 it stayed to take the automatic promotion chasing Baggies within a point of rivals Newcastle who would face Bristol City later on.
Robert Earnshaw's early goal proved to be the decider for Billy Davies' Nottingham Forest as they secured their 11th home win on the bounce over struggling Peterborough. The result leaves Forest 8 points behind automatic promotion with only 8 games remaining, which will surely prove to be insurmountable with Forest's patchy away form.
Playoff hopefuls Doncaster and Sheffield United played out a 1-1 draw at The Keepmoat Stadium, where it took a late James Harper equaliser to bring The Blades back on level terms. Meanwhile, playoff outsiders Middlesbrough and Reading also finished 1-1, as Blackpool needed a late Ben Burgess equaliser to share the spoils in a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace. The result leaves the league table looking ominous for Palace, as they drop into the relegation zone.
Elsewhere in the relegation battle, there were valuable home wins for both Ipswich and Scunthorpe. The 1-0 win for Roy Keane's side over Barnsley takes them 8 points clear of the meleé, and they can surely regard themselves as nearly home and dry. Scunthorpe secured a massive win over fellow strugglers Plymouth Argyle to lift themselves out of the relegatio zone and leave Plymouth 6 points off safety with a 65 minute Martyn Woolford winner in a 2-1 victory. And Scunthorpe's win left steel city club Sheffield Wednesday looking nervously over their shoulders with just a point separating them and the drop zone following a 0-0 stalemate at home against Derby County.
League One:
There was frustration in the race for automatic promotion as both Charlton and Norwich dropped points. Norwich still hold an 8 point lead at the top, with Leeds due to play their game in hand on Monday night with Millwall. But it could have been a 10 point gap, had it not been for a late Gorden Greer equaliser for the home side as playoff-chasing Swindon Town secured a 1-1 draw. Meanwhile a battling away performance from Gillingham saw them gain a point in a 2-2 draw against local rivals Charlton. The result leaves Charlton 4 points behind second-placed Leeds United, and Swindon move level on 67 points as they make a late bid for automatic promotion.
In the race for the playoffs, Colchester succumbed to a poor 1-0 away defeat to 10-man Walsall, courtesy of a dramatic 94th minute winner from Darren Byfield. Colchester's loss was Huddersfield's gain as they strolled to a comfortable 2-0 away win at Leyton Orient's Brisbane Road. And in the outisde pack, Bristol Rovers' 3-0 away win at Yeovil saw them move to within a point of MK Dons, who were heavily beaten 3-0 at home by rank outsiders for the playoffs, Southampton.
Meanwhile, in the tight relegation scrap there were draws for three of the four sides in the drop zone. Stockport County were defeated 1-0 at home to Brentford in a result which sounded the death-knell on their season. Wycombe and Exeter played out a 2-2 draw with a point bringing Exeter within a point of safety but leaving The Chairboys in real peril 7 points from survival. Southend also played out a 2-2 draw at Roots Hall against Carlisle. And in a tie between two sides not yet safe from relegation, Brighton enjoyed a 2-0 away win over Oldham to take them up into 14th spot, but still only 7 points away from the drop zone.
League Two:
Two late goals for Rochdale secured a 4-2 away win for champions elect away at Accrington. Both sides were reduced to 10-men after 74 minutes, after which Rochdale scored two late goals to take them 11 points clear at the top of the table. Notts County underlined their automatic promotion credentials with a battling 1-0 away win at Crewe Alexandra as Bournemouth's hopes were dealt a blow after they conceded a late goal away at Grimsby's Blundell Park to lose 3-2. The result was a massive one for The Mariners, bringing them back to 4 points off survival.
Rotherham applied further pressure to Bournemouth with a 1-0 victory over Bury, which saw the away side slip further down the table and away from the automatic promotion spot. And Chesterfield were left to settle for an away point at mid-table Burton Albion in a 2-2 draw between two sides who had both conceded 5 the previous Saturday; whilst Chesterfield having been hammered 5-0, Burton remarkably lost 6-5 at home to Cheltenham.
Results from the playoff hopefuls saw Northampton take a comfortable 3 points from fellow playoff contenders Morecambe in a 2-0 win at Sixfields as Aldershot enjoyed the same scoreline in a home win over Shrewsbury Town. Dagenham & Redbridge came from behind to secure a 3-1 home win over Macclesfield which leaves Macclesfield yet to be sure of League 2 survival.
At the foot of the table, Grimsby's 3-2 win over Bournemouth moves them to within 4 points of safety as a 2-1 home defeat for Darlington against Barnet all but confirmed their relegation as The Bees moved 10 points clear of the relegation zone. A 2-0 win for Hereford over Bradford meant they remained level with Barnet on points, also 10 points clear of the drop zone. The 1-1 stalemate between Cheltenham and Port Vale will leave The Robins nervously watching the progress of Grimsby Town behind them.
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