Fulham ended Aston Villa's run of seven successive Championship wins with a 2-0 victory over Steve Bruce's side at Craven Cottage on Saturday.
Goals from Ryan Sessegnon and Floyd Ayite in the second half helped the Cottagers keep the pressure on in the Championship promotion race, after a poor first period from both teams.
Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic headed wide early on, but neither side threatened for the rest of the first half. The game burst into life after the break, however, courtesy of Sessegnon. The youngster's first real involvement in the game ended in his 12th goal of the season, as he turned in a Ryan Fredericks cross. The home side went 2-0 up from 45 yards soon after, as Ayite, who received the ball from Sam Johnstone's poor clearance, lobbed into an empty net from distance.
The home side then held on to secure an important win in the race for promotion to the Premier League.
Wolverhampton Wanderers were unable to take advantage of a Preston North End sending-off, as Nuno Espirito Santo's men drew 1-1 at Deepdale.
Wolves midfielder Helder Costa sent a shot high and wide in one of few first-half chances, but Costa was the man to salvage a draw for the visitors after Preston took the lead in the second half. Preston began the second half well, and took the lead through Alan Browne. The midfielder came close with a shot that was tipped onto the post by Wolves goalkeeper John Ruddy, before the 22-year-old powered a header past Ruddy moments later.
Yet the hosts were down to 10 men after midfielder John Welsh received two yellow cards in a minute. The dismissal allowed Wolves back into the game, and Nuno's side were level minutes later when Costa made a driving run into the box and slotted past Declan Rudd.
Elsewhere, Brentford secured a first win in four thanks to a 2-0 win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. The visitors had their advantage after 30 minutes, following Kamohelo Mokotjo's strike and Neal Maupay's effort after 27 minutes.
The Black Cats could have pulled a goal back through George Honeyman, but his shot from the edge of the box, which beat Brentford goalkeeper Daniel Bentley, crashed off the crossbar. Sunderland could not muster any further chances to reduce the deficit in the second period, however, as Chris Coleman's men suffered a third defeat in four league outings.
Cardiff City moved into second place above Villa after a 0-0 victory over Middlesbrough. The Bluebirds opened the scoring through Sean Morrison, who glanced home a Junior Hoilett free kick.
Queens Park Rangers eased to a 2-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers at Loftus Road. Bolton were reduced to 10 men in the second half, when Mark Little was sent off for a challenge on Massimo Luongo.
They were behind on the scoreline shortly after too, when Matt Smith's header was hit home from close range by Joel Lynch. QPR were not tested after taking the lead, and secured their victory in stoppage time, when substitute Paul Smyth crossed for Smith to head home.
Millwall substitute Fred Onyedinma scored the only goal of the match as the club went six games unbeaten with a 1-0 victory over Birmingham City. A poor first half was followed by a scrappy second, and Onyedinma, who wriggled through the box, had his first effort saved by David Stockdale before knocking in the rebound.
Nottingham Forest had goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon to thank after the stopper made three late saves to salvage his side a 0-0 draw with Burton Albion. Forest were down to 10 men in the first half after Eric Lichaj lunged into Albion midfielder Martin Samuelsen.
Despite Burton's advantage on the pitch, neither side posed significant threats. Forest's point was their first in four games, while Burton remained bottom after a second draw in as many games.
Championship results in full: Birmingham City 0-1 Millwall, Burton Albion 0-0 Nottingham Forest, Cardiff City 1-0 Middlesbrough, Fulham 2-0 Aston Villa, Preston North End 1-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers, Queens Park Rangers 2-0 Bolton Wanderers, Sunderland 0-2 Brentford
No Data Analysis info
