Evening StandardChampionship results: Watford strengthen Premier League promotion push; Derby fight back vs Brentford
Watford strengthened their Premier League promotion bid by winning 4-1 at Rotherham on Tuesday night, while Brentford dropped points against Derby. Xisco Munoz’s Hornets made it eight victories from nine matches in Tuesday’s trip to South Yorkshire, where Francisco Sierralta opened the scoring with his first goal in English football. Ismaila Sarr and Ken Sema extended Watford’s lead before the break, with the Millers pulling one back through Freddie Ladapo after Michael Smith saw a spot-kick saved.
The TelegraphAitor Karanka set to depart Birmingham City with club mired in Championship relegation battle
Aitor Karanka is set to depart Birmingham City with the club gripped in a battle to avoid relegation from the Championship. Karanka has been sacked as manager after the abysmal home defeat by Bristol City on Saturday, which leaves the club perched just above the bottom three. The former Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough manager’s tenure at Birmingham has been a huge slog and the defeat yesterday was their 12th at St Andrew’s this season. After the game Karanka insisted he would not resign but it is understood the decision was taken by Zhao Wenqing, one of the club’s more powerful directors. Xuandong Ren, the controversial chief executive, was not involved in the dismissal and is under growing pressure himself after a stormy few years. Karanka was appointed in July last year, with the club hopeful of a promotion challenge this season, but they are only three points above the relegation zone with ten games left to play.
The GuardianLow cost, high pressing: how Barnsley took the Championship by storm
Low cost, high pressing: how Barnsley took the Championship by stormData-driven club were nearly relegated last season but the young team is unbeaten in 10 and in a play-off position now. How have they done it? Clarke Oduor is mobbed by teammates last July as Barnsley pull off a remarkable escape to stay in the Championship – again. Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
