Championship roundup: Cardiff City cement hold on second spot

By Giuseppe Labellarte, Reporter | 21 February 2018

Championship roundup: Cardiff remain second

Cardiff City cement their hold on second place in the Championship thanks to a 1-0 win at Ipswich Town, while Fulham, Derby County and Wolverhampton Wanderers all draw.

Cardiff City have edged four points clear of third-placed Aston Villa in the Championship table thanks to a 1-0 win over Ipswich Town on Wednesday night.

Despite the Bluebirds failing to have a shot on target in the first hour of play, they struck the winner 65 minutes into the game at Portman Road.

Joe Ralls's free kick was flicked on by Gary Madine into the path of Kenneth Zohore, who missed his initial volley but then picked himself up to rifle past Bartosz Bialkowski.

Neil Warnock's second-placed charges now sit just nine points behind Wolverhampton Wanderers after Nuno Espirito Santo's side spurned a two-goal lead in their home game with Norwich City.

The league leaders opened the scoring on 14 minutes through Diogo Jota and doubled their advantage nine minutes later as Alfred N'Diaye headed home.

However, the Canaries - who struck late on in the East Anglian derby at the weekend - struck back on 27 minutes as Christoph Zimmerman nodded Denis Srbeny's free kick beyond John Ruddy.

Just as Wolves were seemingly home and dry in the match, Nelson Oliveira fired a ferocious effort from 30 yards that bounced just in front of Ruddy before heading into the net in the final minute of injury time for a 2-2 final score.

The game between Derby County and Leeds United also saw late drama as Kasey Palmer struck in added time to give the Rams a 2-2 draw at Pride Park and keep them fourth in the table.

Leeds had led twice in the match, the second goal coming on 79 minutes as Ezgjan Alioski added to Pierre-Michel Lasogga's opener after Andreas Weimann had levelled for Derby on the stroke of half time.

Three of the evening's four second-tier games ended in draws, with Bristol City coming from behind for a share of the spoils against fellow playoff contenders Fulham at Ashton Gate.

Aleksandar Mitrovic opened the scoring with his first goal for Fulham on 14 minutes, slotting home from Cyrus Christie's cross at the back post, but Robins top scorer Bobby Reid equalised on 35 minutes for a 1-1 final result.

Results in full: Bristol City 1-1 Fulham; Derby County 2-2 Leeds United; Ipswich Town 0-1 Cardiff City; Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-2 Norwich City