Cardiff, Hull improve promotion prospects

17 February 2013 04:07

Championship leaders Cardiff remain on course for promotion to the Premier League after beating Bristol City 2-1, while Hull boosted their promotion prospects with a 1-0 win over Charlton on Saturday.

Malky Mackay's Cardiff are now eight points clear at the top after Fraizer Campbell's double finished off struggling City and Hull cemented their hold on the second automatic promotion spot thanks to Gedo's winner at the KC Stadium.

Campbell, signed from Sunderland during the January transfer window, opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time when he ran onto Tommy Smith's clever through ball and slotted past goalkeeper Tom Heaton.

And 12 minutes into the second half, Campbell, making his home debut, scored his third goal for the club, more than he managed in the whole of last season for Sunderland, after a long throw from Aron Gunnarsson.

A bizarre own goal from Ben Nugent reduced the deficit in stoppage-time but it was too little too late for a City fightback.

Steve Bruce's Hull are three points ahead of third placed Watford after Egypt forward Gedo, a deadline-day addition for the Tigers, hit the target on his full debut.

Gedo's scrambled close-range finish from a corner in the 33rd minute was just reward for Hull's dominance.

Troy Deeney bagged a brace as Gianfranco Zola's Watford thrashed Birmingham 4-0 at St Andrew's to maintain their promotion charge.

Deeney, a childhood Birmingham fan, opened the scoring with a free header in the 38th minute.

Blues goalkeeper Jack Butland could have done better with Watford's second on the stroke of half-time when he failed to keep out Ikechi Anya's effort.

Anya set up Deeney for his second goal shortly after the hour mark before Almen Abdi fired home a fourth late on.

Glenn Murray took his goal tally to 27 for the season in Crystal Palace's 4-1 win against promotion rivals Middlesbrough.

Murray got his first in the ninth minute and then set up Peter Ramage to double his side's advantage three minutes after half-time.

Ian Holloway's fourth placed team added a third through Murray's spectacular drive in the 57th minute and Kevin Phillips' late goal ensured Palace extended their unbeaten league run at Selhurst Park to 15 matches.

Faris Haroun got one back for Middlesbrough, but the visitors are clinging on to the final play-off place after a fifth consecutive away league defeat.

Elsewhere, Billy Davies's return for a second spell as Nottingham Forest manager started with a 1-1 draw against Bolton.

Andy Reid struck first for Forest in the 59th minute, but Craig Davies got the equaliser in the 77th minute.

Ipswich defeated Blackpool 1-0 and Derby were held to a 0-0 draw by struggling Wolves.

Source: AFP