Championship roundup: Blackburn match abandoned due waterlogged pitch … again

Blackburn’s match against Sheffield Wednesday was abandoned with the hosts leading 1-0 due to a waterlogged pitch, the second time that has happened this season.

Blackburn came into the game four days after fulfilling the rearranged fixture against Ipswich, a game they were also originally on course to win 1-0. This time, Yuki Ohashi’s fifth goal of the campaign had given them the lead in the 33rd minute.

But conditions were deteriorating and on the hour mark the referee, Ruebyn Ricardo, called the teams off for 10 minutes while the ground staff tried to remove the surface water. The rain continued to fall and after another inspection, the official had little option but to call for abandonment.

Blackburn supporters were once again calling for the end of the Venky’s tenure as owners. They remain four points above the relegation zone. Wednesday’s fans were in full voice despite their own desperate situation having been left on -10 points by further deductions and were fortunate to escape a fifth successive defeat.

Gerhard Struber and Alex Neil blamed each other after their lack of a post-match handshake led to ugly scenes at the final whistle of Millwall’s fiercely competitive 1-0 win at Bristol City. Millwall’s Neil claimed Struber withdrew his hand while his opposite number insisted he made two efforts to take it, which were ignored. Mihailo Ivanovic grabbed the only goal of a tight contest, shooting home from eight yards.

At the end staff and players from both clubs became involved in a touchline brawl that took a while to break up.

Neil said: “I went to shake their head coach’s hand and he pulled his away, which I found disappointing. I made that clear and the next thing it was handbags all round. Irrespective of the result, I always shake the hand of the opposition manager and it was the same today. So I accept no blame for what happened.”

Struber said: “To be crystal clear, I twice tried to take his hand and I hope there are pictures, which will prove that. What happened did not look nice and we all have a responsibility in that situation, but emotions run high at the end of a game like that.”

Coventry’s five-match winning run was brought to an emphatic halt as the Championship leaders slumped to a 3-0 defeat at Ipswich. Goals from Sindre Walle Egeli, George Hirst and Ivan Azon lifted the hosts up to fourth place. Ipswich had to be thankful to goalkeeper Christian Walton, who produced two outstanding saves from Josh Eccles and Ephron Mason-Clarke.

Sheffield United’s revival continued as they beat Stoke 4-0 at Bramall Lane. First-half goals from Mark McGuinness, Femi Seriki and Patrick Bamford paired with a Sydie Peck penalty made it four wins from four league games for the Blades. The hosts, who could have scored more, move up to 18th after the victory, while Stoke slip down to sixth in the table.

Adam Armstrong’s double gave Tonda Eckert the perfect start at permanent manager as Southampton beat Birmingham 3-1 at St Mary’s. Eckert won four out of five fixtures as caretaker, after Will Still was dismissed last month, and was given a contract until the end of next season on Friday night.

Finn Azaz, who grew up in Birmingham and played for Aston Villa and West Brom, got the ball rolling before Armstrong struck either side of Demarai Gray’s strike.

Watford’s head coach, Javi Gracia, had some stern words for his players despite a thrilling 3-2 win against Norwich thanks to Tom Ince’s late strike. Ince swept home Marc Bola’s low cross 12 minutes from time for his 100th league goal. Watford had been booed off at the break after a defensive meltdown that left them trailing 2-1.

Gracia said: “The reaction in the second half was good, but I’m not so happy because that’s not the way we want to play. In the first 45 minutes it was too easy for our opponents..”

Leicester’s under-pressure manager Martí Cifuentes celebrated a crucial 3-1 win at Derby. Bobby De Cordova-Reid finished a slick move in the eighth minute before Oliver Skipp volleyed in from close range. The home defence was opened up again in the 31st minute with Jordan James guiding the ball in and, although Sondre Langas reduced the deficit in the 63rd minute, Leicester stood firm.

Cifuentes said: “I understand pressure is part of the job, but it’s never about me, it’s about the club, about the fans. It’s a top result for us. I’m especially pleased for the players, credit to them and happy for the fans as well.”

Harrison Armstrong came off the bench to salvage a point for Preston in a 1-1 draw with Wrexham at Deepdale. The 18-year-old Everton loanee struck his first goal of the season with a composed, close-range finish in the 81st minute, cancelling out Kieffer Moore’s fourth-minute opener.

Rumarn Burrell scored twice as QPR beat West Brom 3-1 to condemn the Baggies to a sixth consecutive away league defeat. A rare goal by Jonathan Varane put Rangers ahead near the end of the first half and Burrell netted on 59 minutes. Aune Heggebo pulled a goal back, but Burrell scored again late on – his eighth goal in 10 matches – to seal a deserved win for Rangers.

Josh Tymon delivered an inch-perfect cross for Swansea’s opener in a 2-0 win over Oxford and then fired home a superb effort to seal a vital three points. The win earned the new Swansea manager, Vítor Matos, his first win in his third game in charge.

Charlton’s match against Portsmouth was abandoned after a supporter was taken ill during the game. The fan was treated by medical staff in the stands before being taken to hospital. It was later confirmed the person had died.

Charlton said: “The club would like to thank the Charlton staff and first responders who did everything they could, but sadly the supporter later passed away in hospital. The club are grateful to supporters in attendance and the Portsmouth players and staff for their patience and understanding as this tragedy unfolded.”