Friday
Promotion chasing West Bromwich Albion travelled to Huddersfield Town at 5.30pm on Friday afternoon with their destiny in their own hands but a shock two one defeat has handed the initiative to third place Brentford. Dara O’Shea started for the ‘Baggies’ and conceded the unnecessary free kick which led to the opening goal. O’Shea made amends with the equaliser approaching half-time although somewhat fortuitous as he did appear to be offside. Albion dominated the second half and substitute Callum Robinson really should have scored when clean through but bungled his shot. The ‘Baggies’ paid the price with the concession of the late winning goal.
Wednesday
Promotion chasing Brentford maintained their Championship challenge with a hard fought one nil victory over Griffin Park visitors Preston North End this Wednesday afternoon. Alan Browne and Sean Maguire both started for the defeated visitors but made little impact. Relegation threatened Charlton Athletic secured a point in a one all draw at Birmingham City with loanees Josh Cullen and Aiden McGeady in their starting eleven while another loanee Scott Hogan started for the hosts. Callum O’Dowda was an 84th minute substitute for Bristol City who played out a one all draw with visitors Stoke City for whom James McClean started while Nathan Collins was introduced from the substitute bench for the final two minutes.
Tuesday
The Championship continued on Tuesday afternoon and evening with the 5pm Hawthorns meeting of West Bromwich Albion and Fulham topping the bill. The contest ended scoreless with U21 defender Dara O’Shea in fine form for the hosts while Sheffield United loanee Callum Robinson only saw the final 10 minutes of action. Cyrus Christie for the visitors saw even less time being introduced in the 90th minute. Cardiff City defeated visitors Derby County by two goals to one with young Jason Knight in the starting eleven and scoring the goal for the visiting ‘Rams’. Luton Town and James Collins played host to QPR and their trio of Ryan Manning who started with Conor Masterson a very early 11th minute substitute with Olamide Shodipo an 82nd minute substitute as the sides played out a one all draw. Collins opened the scoring on twenty minutes from the penalty spot. The New Den hosted the meeting of Millwall for whom captain Alex Pearce started with Jayson Molumby an 87th minute substitute as they defeated visitors Blackburn Rovers and Daragh Lenihan by one goal to nil.
Sunday
Struggling Midland clubs Stoke City and Birmingham City met in the BET365 Stadium at 1.30pm on Sunday afternoon where the hosts boosted their survival hopes with a two nil victory. James McClean started for the hosts with Nathan Collins and Stephen Ward unused on the substitute bench while loanee Scott Hogan started for the visitors but was withdrawn on 60 minutes.
Saturday
The Championship continued at 12.30pm on Saturday afternoon with Charlton Athletic going down to a one nil home defeat by Reading at the Valley. Loanees Josh Cullen and Aiden McGeady were both in the host’s starting eleven. At the same time Jason Knight and Derby County saw their play-off challenge falter and almost certainly end when they went down to a three one home defeat by third place Brentford. Knight was the goalscorer for the vanquished ‘Rams’. Dara O’Shea started and loanee Callum Robinson was an 80th minute substitute for West Bromwich Albion who played out a one all draw at Blackburn Rovers for whom Daragh Lenihan was in the starting eleven. Alex Pearce started for Millwall in their one nil victory at Hull City with Shaun Williams an 83rd minute substitute while Jayson Molumby remained on the bench. Callum O’Dowda was an 83rd minute substitute for Bristol City who secured a three one success at Middlesbrough. Sean Maguire started for Preston North End who played out a one all draw with play-off hopefuls Nottingham Forest at Deepdale. Ryan Manning, Conor Masterson and Olamide Shodipo were in the QPR starting eleven for the three nil Loftus Road defeat by visitors Sheffield Wednesday.