Championship wrap: Southampton back on top

Southampton have taken the lead in the English Championship with a 3-0 victory over Watford, overtaking West Ham who drew at home.

Rickie Lambert took his goal tally to 21 for the season across all competitions with a hat-trick against Watford, which ensured the London-based club succumbed to their seventh defeat at home this season.

The win means Southampton move above West Ham on the Championship table, after Sam Allardyce’s team were held to a goalless draw at home by Crystal Palace in the early game on Saturday.

That sees Southampton now lead the Championship with 62 points, one point ahead of West Ham, while third-placed Reading also made up ground with a 2-0 victory over Middlesbrough.

Noel Hunt gave Reading the lead after 17 minutes, before a classic free-kick from Ian Harte with 10 minutes to go completed the win to leave Reading four points behind West Ham.

Blackpool were the other club in the Championship’s top six that won on Saturday, beating Bristol City 3-1.

Thomas Ince scored twice, while Kevin Phillips grabbed a late third goal for Blackpool as the visitors came from 1-0 down at half-time to win.

Blackpool moved above Birmingham, who lost 2-1 at home to Nottingham Forest, while the other club in the top six, Cardiff, will not play this weekend due to their involvement in the Carling Cup Final on Sunday.

In other results, Brighton beat Ipswich 3-0, Millwall won 3-1 in Burnley, Coventry defeated Barnsley 1-0, Doncaster and Peterborough drew 1-1 and the match between Leeds United and Portsmouth ended scoreless.