Championship round-up: Fulham go top (for now)

The Championship returned with a bang after the international break as Fulham go ahead of Bournemouth (at least until tomorrow) and Hull City move out of the relegation zone.

West Bromwich Albion lost away 1-0 to Huddersfield Town due to an early goal from Danel Sinani in a result that moved the Terriers even closer to sixth place and West Brom fall further away from the top two. West Brom coach Valerien Ismael will also have to deal with the absence of Jake Livermore in Tuesday's game away to Blackpool after the midfielder was dismissed late on for a high boot.

Stoke City leapfrogged Coventry City (who could only manage a goalless draw with Sheffield United) after winning 2-0 against Peterborough United. Mario Vrancic opened the scoring early with the help of a deflection. The visitors did give Stoke some nervy moments, and no doubt some fans were worried when Sam Surridge was sent off late on. But Tyrese Campbell sealed the win with his first goal since his injury layoff. 

Blackburn Rovers needed their Chilean international Ben Brereton to rescue a draw away to Bristol City. The Chilean is now on 14 goals from 18 league games.

Cardiff City are now just behind Bristol in the league after they recorded their second win in a row. The Bluebirds had to come from behind to beat Preston North End 2-1 at Deepdale. Sean Maguire took advantage of some dodgy Cardiff defending to open the scoring but goals in the second-half from Mark McGuinness and James Collins gave Steven Morison his second win as interim coach.

©Getty / Mick Walker - CameraSport

Chris Wilder's Middlesbrough could only manage a point at home to Millwall. Matt Crooks scored the first Boro goal under Wilder but that was cancelled out by Sol Bamba's own goal. Wilder was pleased though, praising his side: "they're brave on the ball, they passed it well – we just ran out of energy."

Down at the bottom of the table, Hull City's 2-0 won against Birmingham City. There was understandable anger from the visiting side when it appeared that Ryan Longman had run the ball out of play before pulling it back for George Honeyman to score. However, there can be no complaints about the red card that Gary Gardner saw for headbutting Josh Magennis. Hull enjoyed their numerical superiority and killed the game off through Mallik Wilks. 

And in the least surprising result of the round, Fulham beat Barnsley 4-1 to put the Cottagers top of the table at least until Bournemouth play Derby County tomorrow. Aleksandar Mitrovic added number 21 to his tally this season before the impressive Fábio Carvalho doubled the home side's lead. Neeskens Kebano and Harry Wilson also got on the scoresheet with Barnsley substitute Victor Adeboyejo getting something for his team.

Meanwhile, Swansea City drew 1-1 at home to Blackpool (with a beautiful goal from Joël Piroe) and Reading managed a 1-1 against Nottingham Forest with Andy Carroll making his Royals debut.

FT!

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