Things get interesting.
Southampton and Derby County were both rocked in week five as they succumbed to their first defeats of the season, preventing them from staying ahead of the pack. With the Saints losing 3-2 at Leicester, they stall on 12 points. Derby meanwhile lurched at home to Burnley, losing 2-1 to remain tied on 12 points with their South coast rivals. Both clubs had won their four opening games of the season.
At Leicester, Darius Vassell and Richard Wellens had given the Foxes the lead before Dan Harding pulled one back. A Rickie Lambert own goal then put the game beyond reach for Southampton who replied late through David Connolly's fourth goal of the season. At Pride Park, a Charlie Austin double either side of Theo Robinson's goal gave Burnley their first win of the season.
Southampton and Derby County were both rocked in week five as they succumbed to their first defeats of the season, preventing them from staying ahead of the pack. With the Saints losing 3-2 at Leicester, they stall on 12 points. Derby meanwhile lurched at home to Burnley, losing 2-1 to remain tied on 12 points with their South coast rivals. Both clubs had won their four opening games of the season.
At Leicester, Darius Vassell and Richard Wellens had given the Foxes the lead before Dan Harding pulled one back. A Rickie Lambert own goal then put the game beyond reach for Southampton who replied late through David Connolly's fourth goal of the season. At Pride Park, a Charlie Austin double either side of Theo Robinson's goal gave Burnley their first win of the season.
Brighton however, continued their bright form to become the new leaders as they beat Peterborough 2-0, at home to surge to the top with 13 points from five games. Middlesborough remained unbeaten, drawing at home to Coventry City to climb to fourth, just a point behind Derby and Southampton. Marvin Emnes scored again to give Boro the lead to Coventry at the riverside, Lukas Jutkiewicz then put Coventry level with less than 15 minutes to go.
Brighton were indebted to strikes from Craig Noone and Ryan Harley as they brought Peterborough crashing back down to Earth with a 2-0 win at the corporately themed American Express Community Stadium.
Paul Jewell's Ipswich recovered from their run of three straight losses to down Leeds United and give them some breathing room above the relegation mire. Ross McCormack had opened the scoring for Leeds before Aidan White walked just after halftime, giving The Tractor Boys a man advantage. This allowed Jason Scotland and Keith Andrews (with his third strike in successive games) to seal the points.
Brighton were indebted to strikes from Craig Noone and Ryan Harley as they brought Peterborough crashing back down to Earth with a 2-0 win at the corporately themed American Express Community Stadium.
Paul Jewell's Ipswich recovered from their run of three straight losses to down Leeds United and give them some breathing room above the relegation mire. Ross McCormack had opened the scoring for Leeds before Aidan White walked just after halftime, giving The Tractor Boys a man advantage. This allowed Jason Scotland and Keith Andrews (with his third strike in successive games) to seal the points.
High flying Crystal Palace were also held, at home to Blackpool. A late goal from Glenn Murray preserved a point for the Eagles after Alex Baptiste had given the Tangerines the lead. Palace remain unbeaten in four and look good to remain in the playoff spots. In a game between recently relegated former premiership sides, Hull also won, beating Reading 1-0 at home through a Robert Brady winner.
Nottingham Forest were thrashed at home in the result of the round as West Ham United won 4-1. A Luke Chambers own goal put the Hammers on their way, before further strikes from Kevin Nolan and Carlton Cole gave them an unassailable 3-0 lead. Although Robbie Findlay pulled one back, Winston Reid scored a fourth to give West Ham an emphatic away win. Big Sam (Allardyce)'s side rise to fifth place, tied with Palace on 10 points and a point behind Boro.
In the other games, Portsmouth drew at home to Cardiff with the ageless Kanu scoring again; Doncaster got their first point, holding Bristol City to a 1-1 draw at Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster; while Milwall and Barnsley drew goalless at the new Den. The late game on Sunday saw Watford and Birmingham draw 2-2 at Vicarage road. Watford remain in the relegation zone, with three points, a point behind their visitors, City, who have four. Marvin Sordell and Martin Taylor scored for The Moose while Andy Rooney and Chris Woods pegged City back on even terms.
At the moment Boro, Southampton and Derby seem to be the class of the league, and look well placed for an extended run in the promotion slots. Although Brighton lead the table and are still unbeaten, like Boro, one must question their staying power. London rivals West Ham and Palace are also looking good and may well fancy their chances of a top six finish that gives them a shot at the playoffs. Forest however are looking jaded, and unable to build any momentum. Their latest debacle was their second loss of the campaign and they have only one win from their five games. Watford are joined by Coventry and Doncaster in the relegation zones.
Austin, Connolly, Emnes and Kevin Phillips, who had a quiet week, lead the league with four goals each.
The next round plays out the weekend of September 10 with 22 teams playing on Saturday and two more on Sunday. Among the games on tap are key matches between Leeds and Crystal Palace, Southampton and Forest and a relegation six pointer between Watford and Reading.
Austin, Connolly, Emnes and Kevin Phillips, who had a quiet week, lead the league with four goals each.
The next round plays out the weekend of September 10 with 22 teams playing on Saturday and two more on Sunday. Among the games on tap are key matches between Leeds and Crystal Palace, Southampton and Forest and a relegation six pointer between Watford and Reading.
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