AFC Bournemouth, Luton Town and Middlesbrough starred in the latest Championship game-week. After 18 games, Norwich City continue to lead the way, but a convincing Bournemouth triumph,l moves the Cherries back to second place. Meanwhile, wins for both Luton and Middlesbrough see both teams move to just outside the play-offs before meeting each other next time out.
Bournemouth, Luton Town and Middlesbrough Star in Championship Game-Week
Five-Star Bournemouth Dismantle Sorry Terriers and Move Second in Championship Table
Bournemouth continued their excellent start to the season with a 5-0 win over Huddersfield Town. The Terriers, who had only lost once in their last five before kick-off, offered very little in an incredibly dominant display form the hosts.
Dominic Solanke added his seventh and eighth goals of the season as Bournemouth raced out to a two-goal lead after just 13 minutes. Solanke then turned provider eight minutes later, setting up David Brooks who curled home Bournemouth’s third. Junior Stanislas added a fourth in the 67th minute, poking home after a dazzling run that started near enough on the halfway line, before Sam Surridge tapped home a fifth by finishing off a well-worked counter-attack.
The victory moves Bournemouth back into the automatic promotion spots, but only sit a point above Reading in fifth in a tightly packed top end of the table. Huddersfield however, drop down to 14th and next time out, visit a new-look Coventry City side who are unbeaten in their last seven.
Clinical Collins Sees off Preston North End
Luton Town recorded their biggest victory of the season thus far with a 3-0 win against Preston North End. The visitors did possess the best away record before kick-off, but a brilliant home performance condemned the Lilywhites to only their third away defeat this season.
The Hatters opened the scoring after 20 minutes when James Collins expertly controlled and finished from Pelly Ruddock’s pin-point ball over the top. The Republic of Ireland international doubled the lead and his tally just nine minutes later, heading home from no more than two yards out. The hat-trick came in the 66th minute with Collins turning his defender before firing into the bottom corner and securing the three points in an impressive display from the hosts.
The victory takes the hosts back into the top half of the table, whilst Preston drop to 15th, now three points off the Hatters.
Classy Boro Ease Past Struggling Lions
Middlesbrough scored three goals in the opening 20 minutes to secure a 3-0 victory against Millwall. Boro continued their brilliant start to the season at the Riverside Stadium against a Millwall side who have not won since October.
Duncan Watmore opened the scoring in the 13th minute, tapping home from close-range, before Marcus Tavernier made it two with a sweet strike just two minutes later. In the 20th minute, Watmore grabbed his second and Boro’s third, latching onto George Saville‘s miss-hit strike.
The Lions offered very little during the 90 minutes and are now ten games without a win. However, Middlesbrough’s victory takes them to ninth and just four points off the mush desired Championship play-offs.
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