Championship Betting Review - 19 February 2006
Runaway leaders Reading suffered their first League defeat in 33
games at the hands of Luton on Friday night. The in-form Kevin
Doyle put the 9/10 Royals ahead but were stunned with two goals
from Rowan Vine and one from Dean Morgan. Doyle pulled one back
for Reading in stoppage time but Luton had done enough to earn
an unlikely win at odds of 14/5.
Sheffield United took advantage and cut Reading's lead to nine
points with a derby victory away at city rivals Wednesday.
Michael Tonge and Ade Akinbiyi netted for the Blades before
half-time before the Owls hit back 10 minutes from time with a
Steve MacLean penalty. The 5/4 win for Neil Warnock's side was
United's first double over Wednesday for 14 years.
Watford climbed above Leeds to claim third place in the table
after beating second-from-bottom Brighton at the Withdean
Stadium. The Hornets withstood early pressure from the home side
but secured a narrow 1-0 victory at 11/10 thanks to a Chris
Eagles goal on the stroke of half-time.
Leeds were held to a draw at Leicester, despite the home side
playing 79 minutes with just 10 men. Iain Hume put the Foxes in
front after five minutes before Patrick McCarthy was sent off
for a foul on Rob Hulse, which led to Robbie Blake equalising
from the resulting penalty.
With Preston North End not playing, Cardiff made up ground and
are now just three points away from a play-off place. The 4/5
Bluebirds beat Hull 1-0 thanks to Cameron Jerome's goal after 22
minutes.
Wolves also remain in the play-off hunt after a narrow 1-0 win
against Ipswich. Castro Sito felled Jeremie Aliadiere in the box
16 minutes from time and Kenny Miller dispatched the penalty for
11/10 Wolves.
Millwall striker Ben May struck an 89th minute equaliser to earn
his side a crucial point against Crystal Palace. Ben Watson
looked set to give the Eagles a routine win at 11/10 with his
goal after 67 minutes only for May to snatch the relegation
strugglers a point at the death.