League round-up: Knill desperandum no longer as the Iron flatten runaway Rangers
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Last week, in their first match under new manager Alan Knill, Scunthorpe United were thrashed 6-0 at Norwich City and sank to the bottom of the Championship. Yesterday, as if to prove this division's resolute unpredictability, they thumped runaway leaders Queen's Park Rangers 4-1. Rob Hulse gave QPR an early lead but two goals by Joe Garner, a Michael O'Connor rocket and a Mark Duffy tap-in turned the table on its head.
"We were much the better team for the first half," the QPR manager, Neil Warnock, said. But in the second, "we looked more like a raggy-arsed Rovers. We got what we deserved." Two late strikes by substitute Jason Koumas saw Cardiff City win 3-1 at Doncaster Rovers to move to within a point of the top two. They are ahead of Swansea City on goals scored only after the Swans' 3-0 win over second-placed Norwich, Fabio Borini, Mark Gower and Tamas Priskin scoring.
Having replaced Nottingham Forest in the top six last weekend, Reading inflicted more damage at the City Ground when, after leading 1-0 and trailing 2-1, goals by Jem Karacan, Jimmy Kebe and a late Luke Chambers own goal earned a 4-3 win. The three points took the Royals above Leeds United, who slip to sixth after a 3-2 defeat at Millwall. The Lions are seventh.
Sheffield United and Preston North End stay in deep trouble. Preston drew 1-1 at Portsmouth but the Blades lost 2-1 at home to Middlesbrough, and are now rock bottom. Just out of the bottom three, Crystal Palace lost 2-1 at Ipswich, Josh Carson scoring both.
Leicester City and Burnley harboured hopes a play-off finish but only the former looked capable of achieving it when they met at the Walkers Stadium, the Foxes winning 4-0.
Coventry City drew 2-2 at Derby County, Hull City won 2-0 at Watford and Barnsley beat Bristol City 4-2.
Conference
Matt Tubbs was on target again as Crawley won 3-0 at Tamworth to be crowned champions and secure promotion to League Two.
Europe
Barcelona lost striker Bojan Krkic to ligament damage in his left knee as they beat Almeria 3-1. Real kept up their pursuit of the Spanish League leaders with a 3-0 win at Athletic Bilbao; Kaka scored two penalties and set up Cristiano Ronaldo for a third goal. Italian champions Internazionale ended a damaging week with a 2-0 win in Milan over Chievo Verona, Esteban Cambiasso and Maicon scoring.
Scotland
Substitute Kris Commons' late goal saw Celtic beat St Mirren 1-0 to take a five-point lead over Rangers at the top of the Premier. Livingston beat Stenhousemuir 3-0 to earn promotion to the First Division, a second successive elevation.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments