Championship Review: Bournemouth go four points clear, Boro held

Bournemouth moved four points clear at the top of the Championship courtesy of a 2-0 victory at struggling Millwall on Sunday.

Eddie Howe’s in-form side had the chance to strengthen their grip on top spot with second-placed Ipswich Town not in action until they face Charlton Athletic on Tuesday and they did just that by securing a fifth consecutive victory.

Harry Arter scored for a fifth straight league match in the first half after Yann Kermorgan had opened the scoring from the penalty spot at The Den.

There was no way back for Ian Holloway’s men and Shaun Williams was sent off 10 minutes from time to compound their misery, as Bournemouth stetched their unbeaten run to 14 Championship games.

Middlesbrough moved above Derby County, who face Leeds United on Tuesday, into third place but they had to settle for a goalless draw at Blackburn Rovers.

Aitor Karanka’s men would have been second with a victory at Ewood Park, but were unable to find a way past goalkeeper Simon Eastwood and they would have returned north empty-headed if Rovers striker Rudy Gestede’s late effort had not been cleared off the line.

Steve Clarke mastermined his first victory as Reading manager at the expense of previously in-form Norwich City, who suffered a 2-1 away defeat.

Norwich had won three of their last four games since losing 2-1 to Reading last month, but their impressive recent run came to an end as a Hal Robson-Kanu penalty and Simon Cox’s strike ensured Bradley Johnson’s second-half goal proved to be in vain.

Brentford dropped to sixth spot after they suffered a 2-1 defeat at Wolves, who had Kevin McDonald sent off 13 minutes from time, having also lost to Ipswich on Boxing Day.

Watford leapfrogged Mark Warburton’s men into fifth as a result of their 4-2 away win against a Cardiff City side who are now without a win in five games.

Nottingham Forest’s winless run now stands at six matches following their 3-1 home defeat against Birmingham City, while Dom Telford’s goal on his home debut rescured a 1-1 draw for bottom side Blackpool against Rotherham United.

Huddersfield Town came from behind to beat Bolton Wanderers in Sunday’s other Championship game.