Championship Result s 5th December Part 2

Nottingham Forest 5-1 Leicester City
Robert Earnshaw scored a hat-trick as Nottingham Forest won. Chris Gunter started off the attacking move that led to one of Rob’s goals and he nearly kept a clean sheet. Actually Chris pretty much did keep a clean sheet – it certainly wasn’t his fault that Leicester’s penalty went in. It’s Robert’s first hat-trick for four and a half years but he’s scored plenty in his career. He has scored a hat-tricks in all four tiers of English football, as well as in both the FA Cup and the League Cup. And, of course, for Wales. He also completed a hat-trick of impressive somersaults that make the ones indulged in by Premiership players look a bit pathetic.
But spare a thought for Andy King – he plays for Leicester.

Peterborough United 2-2 Swansea City
Craig Morgan did some good work in Peterborough’s defence as they got a much-needed point against Swansea, whose squad included no fewer than five Welsh players. Ashley Williams was the only starter, with David Cotterill a 70th minute substitute. David Cornell, Joe Allen and Ashley Richards were also on the bench.

Plymouth Argyle 0-1 Sheffield United
Carl Fletcher nearly scored a good goal for Plymouth – which is something even some of the players who did score didn’t manage to do. Ched Evans didn’t come off the bench for Sheffield United until the 67th minute. He got a yellow card but who knows, he might have got two yellow cards if he’d started.

Queen’s Park Rangers 1-5 Middlesbrough
Rhys Williams played at right back as Middlesbrough got their first win since Gareth Southgate was sacked. Both teams had Welsh substitute goalkeepers - QPR had Rhys Taylor, on loan from Chelsea, and Boro had Danny Coyne.

Sheffield Wednesday 0-2 Reading
Simon Church only managed to play 23 minutes before he was substituted. I’m worried about him. He’s a brave lad who seems happy to play through injury but it’s the third week in a row where he’s had to be substituted. That’s the trouble with being the best player in a struggling team. Get well soon, Simon – but take all the time you need.