Championship wrap: Cardiff crush Burnley

Cardiff swept aside free-scoring Burnley 4-0 at Cardiff City Stadium to move three points clear atop the Championship on Saturday.

Burnley’s 14-goal hit man Charlie Austin was kept quiet for only the third league game this season as Cardiff claimed a seventh successive home win.

Joe Mason got the ball rolling in the third minute from close range and Craig Noone doubled the advantage with a rifled 25-yard effort minutes before half-time.

A Matthew Connolly header and Aron Gunnarsson’s skilful finish ended a sorry afternoon for Burnley.

Cardiff’s win left leaders Leicester three points behind in second place after a 2-1 reverse at Crystal Palace.

Leicester scored a stoppage-time consolation through Andy King but were undone by first-half efforts from Damien Delaney and Peter Ramage within five minutes.

Substitute Scott McDonald struck twice in the last 25 minutes to pinch a 2-1 win for Middlesbrough at home to Bolton.

The Australian came on for Marvin Emnes in the first half and prodded home his first in the 67th minute before finding space to head home the winner five minutes from time that sees Middlesbrough in third only on goal difference.

Nottingham Forest netted three times in a whirlwind 10 minutes to see off Barnsley 4-1 on the road.

Greg Halford cancelled out Marlon Harewood’s opener and Simon Cox and Chris Cohen soon made it 3-1 before half-time.

Tottenham loanee Jermaine Jenas wrapped up the scoring with a fourth for Forest in the 77th minute.

Rock-bottom Ipswich could not stop the rot despite the departure of manager Paul Jewell as they slumped to another home defeat, this time a 3-0 loss to Sheffield Wednesday.

Millwall carved Huddersfield to shreds at the New Den with a brace from Chris Wood and goals from James Henry and Liam Trotter sealing a 4-0 win.

Jordan Rhodes struck in injury time for Blackburn to seal a 1-0 win over Watford that keeps Rovers in the playoff places while Blackpool and Brighton shared a 1-1 draw.

In a dull game at Elland Road, Leroy Lita lit up the pitch with a 30-yard strike in the 77th minute for Birmingham to seal a 1-0 win over Leeds.

Peterborough climbed out of the relegation zone with a 3-0 win at home to Derby and Wolverhampton surrendered an early lead to draw 1-1 with Charlton.

Hull moved into the playoff places with a 2-1 win away at Bristol City courtesy of a Stephen Quinn winner in the 65th minute.