With no fewer than 36 goals being scored around the Championship, it was disappointing to see a 0-0 draw at the Molineux.
Fantastic Week for Championship Football
Cardiff City vs. Leeds United
Cardiff City have had a great run of form lately, taking six points from a possible nine under new boss, Russell Slade. Many were hoping that this impressive home form could continue, especially since Leeds have failed to beat Cardiff for over 30 years. Leeds, who currently sit 19th in the Championship table, have had a managerial musical chairs situation, having sacked three of their previous appointments this season. Leeds United have now put their trust in Caretaker, Neil Redfearn, who has been at the club since 2012.
Before the game got underway, there was a one minute silence to mark the 100 year anniversary of the First World War, which was followed by applause from the home crowd.
The game took a while to get going with no goals being scored in the first half, Adam Le Fondre having the best chances in the first period. It took just 16 minutes after the restart for Cardiff to respond with the first goal of the afternoon; having clearly turned up the heat in the second half, a second was added shortly after, when Federico Macheda’s shot took a heavy deflection to fly into the top corner. Leeds did pull a goal back with Alex Mowatt firing over a helpless David Marshall, giving the travelling Leeds fans some hope. That hope was gone just eight minutes from time when substitute Kenwyne Jones made the most of a misjudgement from the Leeds keeper, Marco Silvestri, to slot into an open goal to wrap up a satisfying 3-1 win for the home crowd.
Wigan vs. Fulham
Fulham were looking for another positive result against a Wigan side that really haven’t got going yet this season, with only one win in their last ten games. Fulham, however, have had a complete turnaround; after their abysmal run of form at the start of this Championship campaign they have picked up an impressive eight points out of a possible twelve in their last four games. New manager, Kit Symons, has really made an impact since being appointed.
Wigan took the lead early on when Konstantinos Stafylidis took down Callum McManaman unfairly in the box, which left Adam Forshaw to convert clinically from the penalty spot. Fulham were back in the game on the 30 minute mark with a left footed finish from Lasse Vigen Christensen, assisted by Scott Parker. Just five minutes later, Fulham had taken a deserved lead after Bryan Ruiz slotted into the bottom corner; Fulham led at the break 1-2. Wigan equalised on 53 minutes thanks to Roger Espinoza; Wigan took the lead for the second time late on through Shaun Maloney only for an 88-minute penalty to be awarded to Fulham, for Bryan Ruiz to tap in for his second, and later, third for Fulham. A deserved point for Fulham, but Wigan will feel hard done by, conceding a soft penalty late on. Final score: Wigan 3-3 Fulham.
Wolves vs. Birmingham
Wolves have started their season in impressive form, losing only one match in their last ten, and looked to continue that run against a struggling Birmingham. Birmingham have been through a bit of a rough patch lately, losing their manager, and losing 8-0 to Bournemouth last week; they were hoping to get back on the up-and-up against a very good Wolves side.
From early on, this match was destined to be a goalless draw with both Goalkeepers on top form. Wolves dominated the possession for the whole match, holding on and trying to break through a much organised Birmingham defence. When they could find a way through, they found Randolph on inspiring form. Wolves hailed the goal with a total of 22 shots, not one finding the back of the net; Birmingham managed a total of 13, also not producing a goal because Wolves Keeper, Carl Ikeme, was also pulling off some tremendous saves.
The home crowd at Wolves were left disappointed after a 0-0 draw but quite the opposite for Birmingham, who will take many positives, a point from Molineux, and an organised, disciplined performance from them.
Other scores around the Championship:
FRIDAY 31 OCTOBER 2014 – CHAMPIONSHIP
Norwich 2-1 Bolton
SATURDAY 1st NOVEMBER 2014 – CHAMPIONSHIP
Blackburn 3-1 Reading
Blackpool 0-2 Ipswich
Brentford 2-1 Derby
Charlton 1-1 Sheffield Wednesday
Huddersfield 3-0 Nottingham Forest
Rotherham 0-3 Middlesbrough
Watford 3-0 Millwall
Bournemouth 3-2 Brighton
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