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Super Sub Struijk Secures Three Points
Blogs

Super Sub Struijk Secures Three Points

Championship Recap: Matchday 33

Follow along as we take a look at the action fro the weekend’s Championship fixtures. A 90th minute winner for Leeds sees them remain at the top of the table whilst the bottom end of the table remains unchanged with both Luton and Plymouth Argyle dropping points.

Queens Park Rangers 4-0 Derby County

Kicking of the weekend was Friday Night action as John Eustace was on the road for his first game in charge of Derby Count to face off against Queens Park Rangers. A brace from QPR midfielder Illias Chair sent his side within three points of a Championship play-off spot, while Eustace was hit with a reality check of the difficult task ahead.

It was a promising display by Spurs loanee Yang Min-Hyeok as the 2006 born forward celebrated his Valentine’s Day with his first start since making the move to QPR. He was hit with even more delight as the youngster recorded his first assist of the competition, with a beautiful cutback which was pounced on by Illias Chair to grab his second goal of the game.

This loss has extended Derby County’s losing streak to 11 games in a row and has shot them back into the relegation zone, however, fans are hopeful for new manager John Eustace, who at the end of the match made his way to the away end to ensure to fans to not give up hope on his vision for the club.

Preston 0-0 Burnley

Preston North End hold on as the points are shared at the Deepdale stadium.

It proved to be an easy day at the office for Burnley keeper James Trafford, only facing one shot on target as he extends his clean sheet streak to eleven games in a row. However, his forwards clearly forgot to pack their shooting boots, getting in the perfect positions only to send the ball flying over the crossbar.

It was not a game that went without controversy, as Preston forward Milutin Osmajic got himself in an altercation with Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri. This then led to complaints from the Burnley side to the referee as they reported he used a racial slur against the Tunisian midfielder. The FA will continue to look into this matter.

Oxford United 0-2 Portsmouth

Finally breaking their winless streak, two second half goals proved to be enough Portsmouth as they defeated Oxford United.

After a game of pinball inside the U’s six yard box, Andre Dozzell opened his Pompey account while substitute Mark O’Mahony twisted the knife after finding the back of the net pouncing on a brilliant over the top ball piercing the yellow defence.

Although they dominated possession, Gary Rowett’s side were wasteful with their chances and really should have got more from this match. Oxford United are now without a win in their last five matches and while they are currently nine points clear of the relegation zone, they are in dire need to regain the winning form they enjoyed through January.

Cardiff City 1-1 Bristol City

Cardiff City left it late as substitute Yousef Salech found the goal to rescue a point for his side who have struggled so far this season.

Both teams started the game slow, with the nothing memorable happening throughout the first half. However, clearly both team talks inspired their sides as the chances began flowing in the second half an it was the playoff chasing Bristol City who struck first through midfielder Jason Knight.

Sitting just three points above the relegation zone, Cardiff City will be hoping they can survive dropping to League One for the first time in the clubs history. Omer Riza’s side were on a hot streak of form until they met Leeds United and were dominated 7-0.

The last thing Liam Manning’s side needed was to drop points in this game as a win would have seen Bristol City climb into the promotion playoff spot. The season is far from over but Bristol need to ensure they keep their focus in what should be a straightforward game for them.

Hull City 1-1 Norwich City

An early Hull City goal was cancelled out by a Joshua Sargent second half header which sees both sides collect a point from this game.

On the cusp of the relegation zone, Hull City were in desperate need of a win to try and build a safe gap. The game began promising for the Tigers, when Matt Crooks found himself on the edge of the six yard box and a well placed finish saw his side 1-0 up within 14 minutes of game time.

Norwich dominated the rest of the game but struggled in front of goal as first half came to a close. They picked their moment well, with a burst of energy straight out of the gate in the second half which saw a whipped in ball from Kellen Fisher find Sargent to guided the ball past the goalkeeper to tie the game.

Blackburn Roves 2-0 Plymouth Argyle

Blackburns Adam Forshaw ended what has racked up to almost a nine-year gold drought as the Rovers cruised in their home victory over Plymouth Argyle.

Plymouth Argyle were on a monumental run of form, with their previous three games unbeaten defeating Premier League side Liverpool and completing a thrashing over Millwall. However, the team that was on display in this one lacked any quality they displayed merely three days ago.

Two second half goals for Blackburn Rovers capped off a dominant display in which the Argyle never stood a chance. With this win under their belts, the Rovers have cemented their playoff spot, creating a comfortable four point gap over Coventry City.

Sheffield Wednesday 1-2 Coventry City

A horrible mistake from Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper James Beadle allowed Ellis Simms to find a 90th minute winner to boost Coventry City’s hopes of a promotion playoff spot.

Sheffield Wednesday began the game well, creating a few decent chances on net but it was Coventry’s Ellis Simms who would strike first inside the first 20 minutes. The first half remained quiet although Simms had a goal ruled out as it seemed he forced the ball out of the goalkeepers hand.

The Owls got a glimpse of hope after a shot was saved into Coventry defender Joel Latibeaudiere and trickled into the back of the net but Ellis Simms would find the ball at his feet after the goalkeeper dropped what should have been a straightforward catch and Coventry snactched all three points with the last kick off the game.

This win for Coventry has seen them go within one point off a promotion playoff spot, while Sheffield Wednesday now sit two points behind in ninth position.

Millwall 1-1 West Brom

West Brom managed to hold on to a 1-1 draw on the road as the points are shared at the Den.

Millwall completely outclassed their opponents but were wasteful with their chances. But a floated Azeez cross was met by Liam Cooper as the skipper thumped the ball into the back of the net. It only took West Brom seven minutes to find their equalisier as a cross deflected off the foot of the Millwall defender and found the bottom corner.

Millwall continued to pile on the pressure but in the end the second goal just would not come. The Lions sit comfortably in 14th spot with a huge gap above the relegation zone whilst West Brom have added pressure to maintain their promotion playoff spot with Coventry moving to within one point of them.

Luton Town 0-1 Sheffield United

Luton Town extend their winless streak to 11 games as second place Sheffield United found a late winner.

It is only going from bad to worse for Luton Town as they sit rock bottom of the Championship table after just being relegated from the Premier League. They started the game well but were abysmal in front of goal and it would come back to haunt them as Anel Ahmedhodzic found space in the box and rocketed the ball into the bottom left corner.

Keeping up the fight at the top end of the table, Sheffield United remain one point behind Leeds after the Peacocks were victorious over Sunderland.

Stoke City 3-1 Swansea

A tremendous second half display from Stoke City ensured they remain unbeaten at home in the Championship in their last four matches.

While it was the away side who enjoyed more of the ball, it was Stoke City who were more clinical, netting three of the five shots they had on target. This result in turn gives Stoke City momentum as they look to build a bigger gap above the relegation zone and ensure their safety.

Middlesbrough 0-1 Watford

Watford get the job done at the Riverside Stadium as Moussa Sissoko fires a bullet header into the back of the Middlesbrough net.

This result sees Middlesbrough winless in their last four league matches whilst this win has seen Watford pick up their first win in five games and jump into tenth place. Middlesbrough fans expressed their disgust in manager Michael Carrick as the home fans were booing their side off the pitch at both half-time and full-time.

Leeds United 2-1 Sunderland

Huge uproar as Leeds are victorious over Sunderland in dramatic fashion as they reclaim their spot at the top of the Championship.

Substitute Pascal Struijk completed the comeback for Leeds United after they went into the halftime break 1-0 down with Sunderland’s Wilson Isidor turning Ampadu inside out and smashing the ball off the post and into the net.

Leeds pilled on the pressure and it was the substitute who managed a brace, with two thumping headers to ensure his side continue their dominant form which has been on display all season long.

Benji Kosartiyer
Journalist
Ozzie Summerhill

Writer at Football Park

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