Championship round-up: Bournemouth finally lose

Matchday 16 of the Championship saw Bournemouth lose their first game of the season - a shock defeat to Preston, while Fulham moved within two points of the league leaders by thrashing ten-man Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.

Ben Whiteman and Ali McCann scored Preston North End's two goals in their 2-1 win away at Bournemouth in the biggest shock of the round. Philip Billing did equalise for Scott Parker's team but McCann struck in the 78th minute to end Bournemouth's five-game winning streak and  a15-match unbeaten run in the Championship.

Free-scoring Fulham

That result means that Fulham close the gap on the Cherries, with a 7-0 hammering of Blackburn Rovers. Fulham were already 2-0 up with goals from Neeskens Kebano and, of course, Aleksandar Mitrovic when Jan Paul van Hecke was sent off for Rovers for his challenge on Harry Wilson.

That opened the floodgates for Fulham - who need no encouragement - to fill their boots. Kebano got another, Wilson bagged a brace, as did substitute Rodrigo Muniz.

Blackburn's defeat also saw them move out of the playoff places and the same happened to Huddersfield Town after they could only draw 1-1 against Peterborough United. So narrow wins for Queens Park Rangers and Stoke City away to Cardiff City and Blackpool moved them up the table.

Big win for Barnsley

At the bottom of the table, Barnsley piled on the misery over Derby County with a 2-1 win at the Oakwell Stadium. Wayne Rooney's side had taken the lead through Sam Baldock but Victor Adeboyejo and Aaron Iseka gave the home side a much-needed win - defeat would have seen them go bottom of the table.

Finally, Luton Town ruined Neil Warnock's big night. The Middlesbrough boss was taking charge of his 1,602nd league game in England - a new English record - but Warnock's team lost 3-1 away to Luton in a defeat that saw them move down to 14th in the table.

There were plenty of intriguing games coming up this Saturday in the Championship too. Bournemouth look to get back on track against Swansea City, which won't be easy, while Barnsley have another big game in the relegation places as they host fellow strugglers Hull City.