Championship wrap: Promotion hopes rise for Palace

Crystal Palace edged closer to the automatic promotion places in the Championship with a 4-2 win over Hull City on Tuesday.

A hat-trick from veteran Kevin Phillips helped Palace to the big win at Selhurst Park as Ian Holloway’s fourth-placed side moved to within two points of Watford, who are second.

Phillips opened the scoring from the penalty spot in first-half additional time before finding the net twice more shortly after the break.

Jay Simpson pulled a goal back for City, but Manchester United signing Wilfried Zaha restored Palace’s three-goal advantage on 77 minutes.

David Meyler’s late effort proved nothing more than a consolation as City slipped to third.

Watford took advantage to move into second as a Fernando Forestieri brace saw them to a 2-1 win over lowly Sheffield Wednesday at Vicarage Road.

League leaders Cardiff City are five points clear at the top after they came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw against Derby County.

Leicester City and Brighton and Hove Albion are clinging onto the final two playoff spots after playing out draws.

Nigel Pearson’s Leicester needed a 94th-minute equaliser from Michael Keane to draw 1-1 at home to Leeds United, while Brighton were held to a scoreless draw by Bristol City.

Nottingham Forest continued their revival under manager Billy Davies, making it 13 points from 15 since he returned with a 1-0 win at home to Ipswich Town.

Lewis McGugan scored the only goal of the game at The City Ground after the visitors were reduced to nine men.

A Chris Eagles winner saw Bolton to a 1-0 win over Blackburn, while Wolverhampton climbed out of the relegation zone with a 2-0 victory at Millwall.

Huddersfield Town left it late to overcome Middlesbrough 2-1, with Daniel Ward scoring a late winner, while Burnley and Barnsley drew 1-1.

Peterborough United and Charlton Athletic played out a 2-2 draw, while Blackpool drew 1-1 at Birmingham City in manager Paul Ince’s first game in charge.