Evans on target in thriller at Blackburn
Reading manager Jaap Stam felt his side showed real resilience in the face of difficult opposition in their dramatic victory at Blackburn. It was a topsy-turvy game but a stoppage-time goal from George Evans gave Reading the win and consigned Blackburn to a third successive 3-2 defeat. Reading’s Dominic Samuel opened the scoring in the 32nd minute but this was cancelled out by Danny Graham’s eighth of the campaign just before half-time. Reading went back in front on the hour when Liam Moore chested the ball in, but Rovers equalised again as Wes Brown headed in on his debut 17 minutes from time. The visitors, though, delivered the knockout blow in the second minute of stoppage time when Evans scored after fine work from Garath McCleary.
Johnson sends City to another defeat
Simon Grayson was all smiles as his Preston players headed off for their Christmas party on the back of another encouraging display. But for opposite number Lee Johnson seasonal spirit was in short supply, with a sixth defeat in seven games to mull over. An 85th-minute winner from Daniel Johnson gave the visitors the points they just about deserved. Simon Makienok had earlier scored for Preston, with substitute Aaron Wilbraham replying. After beating Blackburn at Deepdale and drawing at Nottingham Forest, Preston have had a strong recent run. Grayson said: ‘We have had a good week, with seven points from nine and two good away performances.’ Johnson said: ‘We have to work through this period. It feels like Groundhog Day with the same sequence of events continually repeating on us.’
Fletcher penalty denies Rotherham point
Sheffield Wednesday scored a stoppage-time penalty to deny Rotherham a share of the spoils at Hillsborough. The rock-bottom visitors looked set to earn just their second away point of the season as they defended resolutely until a game dominated by referee Tim Robinson was decided by Steven Fletcher’s late spot kick. Fletcher converted after Richard Wood, who was sent off, was adjudged to have bundled over Lucas Joao. It was cruel on Paul Warne’s side, especially as Robinson had harshly ruled out a first-half goal by midfielder Tom Adeyemi for a foul that was anything but clear. The win — a fourth in five games — moves Wednesday back into the top six, while caretaker Warne is almost certain to be handed the Rotherham job until the end of the season early this week.
Substitute Williams deflates Cardiff
Ryan Williams came off the bench to net a dramatic late winner with his first touch in a seven-goal thriller against Cardiff. Two first-half goals from Sam Winnall and another from Josh Scowen cancelled out Sean Morrison’s early header to give the visitors a two-goal advantage at the break. Strikes from Peter Whittingham after 79 minutes and Anthony Pilkington in the 89th minute looked to have rescued Cardiff. But Williams’ winner five minutes into stoppage time snatched the three points to give Barnsley only their fourth win in 15 games. Cardiff got off to the perfect start when an unmarked Morrison headed in Whittingham’s corner with ease in the third minute. Such poor defending was surprising to see from a Barnsley defence which had previously kept three clean sheets in four away games.
McGoldrick strikes late to finish off Wigan
A header from David McGoldrick two minutes from time secured a dramatic victory for Ipswich at Wigan. The visitors led on seven minutes through Brett Pittman’s penalty, but two goals from Yanic Wildschut threatened to give Wigan their first home win since September 27. However, Wigan could not find a third goal, and Pittman equalised midway through the second period after good work from McGoldrick. With Wigan pushing for a late winner, they were caught on the break when McGoldrick headed in, off a post, to the delight of the away fans behind the goal. The home side got off to the worst possible start when Ipswich were handed a soft penalty by referee Keith Stroud. As Tom Lawrence dribbled into the Wigan box, Dan Burn appeared to clearly win the ball before colliding with the Wales international.
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Lambert joy as Wolves beat Forest
Paul Lambert claimed his second win as Wolves manager in a win against injury-hit Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. This was a game of limited opportunities, but Wolves took two of their few chances in emphatic fashion, as goals in each half from Helder Costa, a 40th-minute strike from a tight angle, and Ivan Cavaleiro, a 10-yard shot 11 minutes from time, secured what ended up being a comfortable win and one that was much needed for Lambert, in his sixth game in charge. Philippe Montanier, the Forest manager, had a squad limited by injuries to no fewer than 10 players, but with a takeover of the Reds by an American consortium lead by former San Diego Padres owner, John Jay Moores, this was not a performance that would have impressed potential new owners.