Burnley bolster bid to reach Premier League
Burnley bolstered their bid to win automatic promotion to the Premier
League with a 2-0 victory over Championship strugglers Rotherham on
Saturday.
With leaders Hull holding Arsenal to a draw in the FA Cup and
Middlesbrough not in action this weekend, Sean Dyche’s team moved into
second place courtesy of Sam Vokes’ first-half penalty and Scott
Arfield’s late strike at Turf Moor.
Lloyd Doyley brought down George Boyd and Vokes converted from the spot in the 27th minute for his fifth goal in eight games.
Andre Gray headed against the bar for Burnley, while Joe Newell squandered a glorious late chance to earn Rotherham a point.
Burnley wrapped up the win four minutes from time when Arfield netted.
“Overall I am really pleased. It was a big win, I have said it many
times sometimes the hardest fight to win is the one you are expected to
and we have taken care of it well,” Dyche said.
“The team is still moulding but my main thing is learning different
ways to win a game and that was what happened today. I am very pleased
we can find different ways of winning.”
Brighton’s hopes of moving level on points with leaders Hull were shattered as they lost 4-1 at Cardiff.
Peter Whittingham fired Cardiff in front in the 16th minute, with
Anthony Pilkington doubling their advantage three minutes later.
Lex Immers added a third before Brighton pulled a goal back through Dale Stephens 10 minutes into the second half.
Whittingham converted from the spot to restore Cardiff’s three-goal
cushion in the 66th minute as Brighton crashed to only their second
defeat on the road this season.
“We never allowed ourselves to get into the game. I cannot say we
deserved anything. The damage was self-inflicted,” Brighton boss Chris
Hughton said.
Sheffield Wednesday missed a chance to close in on the top two as they went down 1-0 to Preston at Deepdale.
The sixth placed Owls, who had been unbeaten in seven games, suffered
a blow in the 66th minute when playmaker Fernando Forestieri was sent
off for two bookings.
Preston capitalised seven minutes later when Joe Garner headed in a Calum Woods cross for his first goal since December.
Three late goals helped fifth-placed Derby halt an eight-game winless
streak in the league as they beat Brentford 3-1 at Griffin Park.
Tom Cairney bagged a brace as Fulham claimed a 3-0 victory over Charlton, who dropped to the bottom of the table.
Jonathan Kodjia ended his seven-game goal drought with a brace as Bristol City won 2-0 at fellow strugglers Milton Keynes Dons.
Bolton climbed off the foot of the table but were denied three
much-needed points as they drew 1-1 with QPR at the Macron Stadium.
Nahki Wells hit his 13th of the season as Huddersfield beat Wolves 1-0 at the John Smith’s Stadium.