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Blackburn’s match against Sheffield Wednesday was abandoned with the hosts leading 1-0 due to a waterlogged pitch – the second time that has happened this season.
Valérien Ismaël’s men came into the game four days after fulfilling the rearranged fixture against Ipswich, a game they were also originally on course to win 1-0. This time, Yuki Ohashi’s fifth goal of the campaign had given them the lead in the 33rd minute and Blackburn had only faced one moment of real danger when Bailey Cadamarteri’s strike was saved by Aynsley Pears early in the second half.
But conditions were visibly deteriorating and on the hour mark the referee, Ruebyn Ricardo, called the teams off for 10 minutes while the ground staff tried to remove the surface water. Despite their best efforts, the rain continued to fall and after another inspection, the official had little option but to call for abandonment.
The atmosphere was mutinous with Blackburn supporters once again calling for the end of the Venky’s tenure as owners. They remain four points above the relegation zone. Wednesday’s fans were in full voice despite their own desperate situation having been left on -10 points by further deductions but were fortunate to escape a fifth successive defeat.
Mihailo Ivanovic was Millwall’s match-winner with a second-half strike to secure a 1-0 victory over fellow playoff contenders Bristol City in a game that ended in ugly touchline scenes. The only goal came on 59 minutes when City goalkeeper Radek Vitek made a double save from Femi Azeez after a fast break down the right, only for the ball to fall into the path of striker Ivanovic, who blasted it home.
It took a brilliant injury time save from Max Crocombe to protect Millwall’s lead as he tipped a low drive from substitute Ross McCrorie around a post. City then had a last-gasp goal ruled out for offside before the final whistle at Ashton Gate was followed by a mass brawl in front of the two dugouts featuring staff and players from both clubs.
Coventry’s five-match winning run was brought to an emphatic halt as the Championship leaders slumped to a 3-0 defeat to Ipswich at Portman Road. Goals from Sindre Walle Egeli, George Hirst and Ivan Azon lifted the hosts up to fourth place as Coventry suffered only their second away defeat of the season. Ipswich had to be thankful to goalkeeper Christian Walton, who produced two outstanding saves from Josh Eccles and Ephron Mason-Clarke to keep the visitors out.
Sheffield United’s revival continued as they emphatically beat Stoke 4-0 at Bramall Lane. First-half goals from Mark McGuinness, Femi Seriki and Patrick Bamford paired with a Sydie Peck penalty made it four wins from four league games for the Blades. The hosts, who could have scored more, move up to 18th after the victory, while Stoke slip down to sixth in the table.
Adam Armstrong’s double gave Tonda Eckert the perfect start at permanent manager as Southampton beat Birmingham 3-1 at St Mary’s. Eckert won four out of five fixtures as caretaker, after Will Still was dismissed last month, and was given a contract until the end of next season on Friday night.
In form Finn Azaz, who grew up in Birmingham and played for Aston Villa and West Brom, got the ball rolling before Armstrong struck either side of Demarai Gray’s strike. Southampton are now three points off the playoffs, a point behind the Blues, whose terrible away form now reads as one win in nine.
Watford’s head coach, Javi Gracia, had some stern words for his players despite seeing them come from behind to seal a thrilling 3-2 win against Norwich thanks to Tom Ince’s late strike. Ince swept home Marc Bola’s low cross 12 minutes from time for his 100th league goal to leave Norwich rooted in the drop zone. Watford had been booed off at the break after a defensive meltdown which had left them trailing 2-1.
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Gracia said: “The reaction in the second half was good, but I’m not so happy because, in my opinion, that’s not the way we want to play. In the first 45 minutes it was too easy for our opponents to control the game. Tom’s 100th goal in his career is good for him, but we need to find more balance in the team if we want to be more competitive.”
Leicester’s under-pressure manager Martí Cifuentes celebrated a crucial 3-1 win at local rivals Derby. Bobby De Cordova-Reid finished a slick move in the eighth minute before Oliver Skipp volleyed in from close range. The home defence was opened up again in the 31st minute with Jordan James guiding the ball in and, although Sondre Langas reduced the deficit in the 63rd minute, Leicester stood firm.
Cifuentes said: “I understand pressure is part of the job, but it’s never about me, it’s about the club, about the fans and I said from day one – I was very honest – that this would be a process that could take some time. It’s a top result for us. I’m especially pleased for the players, credit to them and happy for the fans as well.”
Harrison Armstrong came off the bench to salvage a point for Preston in a 1-1 draw with Wrexham at Deepdale. The 18-year-old Everton loanee struck his first goal of the season with a composed, close-range finish in the 81st minute, cancelling out Kieffer Moore’s fourth-minute opener. It was just reward for Paul Heckingbottom’s men, who battled hard to ensure they avoided back-to-back home defeats, while Phil Parkinson’s side are now unbeaten in nine league matches.
In-form striker Rumarn Burrell scored twice as QPR beat West Brom 3-1 to condemn the Baggies to a sixth consecutive away league defeat. A rare goal by Jonathan Varane put Rangers ahead near the end of the first half and Burrell netted on 59 minutes. Aune Heggebo pulled a goal back for Albion but Burrell scored again late on – his eighth goal in 10 matches – to seal a deserved win for Rangers.
Josh Tymon delivered an inch-perfect cross for Swansea’s opener in a 2-0 win over Oxford and then fired home a superb effort to seal a vital three points. The win earned new Swansea manager Vítor Matos his first win in his third game in charge and saw his side leapfrog their opponents in the table.
Charlton’s match against Portsmouth was abandoned after a supporter was taken ill during the game. The fan was treated by medical staff in the stands before being taken to hospital, but it was later confirmed the person had died. Charlton said in a statement: “The club would like to thank the Charlton staff and first responders who did everything they could, but sadly the supporter later passed away in hospital. The club are grateful to supporters in attendance and the Portsmouth players and staff for their patience and understanding as this tragedy unfolded.”
