Championship (England)

The Sky Bet Championship club have announced the Malaysian businessman “no longer holds any shares in QPR Holdings Limited”.

Fernandes took over Rangers in 2011 along with Ruben Gnanalingam and Kamarudin Meranun but stepped aside as co-chairman in 2018.

He has now decided to leave the Loftus Road outfit altogether.

“My involvement with QPR has been an incredible period of highs and lows,” Fernandes told the club website, qpr.co.uk.

“I am a passionate person and that means the good times have meant so much but, equally, the tough times have hurt.

“This decision to step away is made with a heavy heart. I would like to thank the supporters who I have experienced the last decade of adventures with.

“I will continue to look out for QPR’s results and wish the board nothing but success for the future.”

The 21-year-old’s contract with the Bees had expired and he declined fresh terms, with a number of clubs said to be vying for his signature.

Republic of Ireland youth international Gilbert captained Brentford’s B team last season, scoring 16 goals and providing eight assists.

It enabled the Foxes to celebrate four straight wins at the start of a season for the first time.

A fine strike from Aaron Ramsey looked like earning Cardiff a point after Wanya Marcal-Madivadua fired Maresca’s hosts ahead.

But on-loan Chelsea midfielder Casadei had the last word to leave Cardiff, who saw defender Mahlon Romeo sent off deep into stoppage time, remain winless under their new manager Erol Bulut.

The 20-year-old Casadei, who had only arrived on Wednesday, came off the bench to lash home a last-gasp clincher before referee Graham Scott could blow for a penalty for a foul on Jamie Vardy.

“I said to Cesare the only way to score a goal for an attacking midfielder is to be inside the box,” said Maresca.

“Everything in football happens inside the box. Ramsey scored from 40 metres but this is Ramsey, it doesn’t happen often. Cesare, one of his strengths is to arrive in the box.”

Maresca inherited a squad that suffered relegation from the Premier League last term and he has since seen fan favourites James Maddison and Harvey Barnes leave.

More departures could follow but Maresca was delighted that the players who remained had got the season off and running so well.

A tailing-off in performance towards the end of the game was understandable too, he added.

“It is important always to win a game and in this moment especially for the fans and the club after last year,” he said.

“It is important to renew new energy but also I analyse not only the results. It was important to see how the team improves game after game.

“Probably for me it was our best half. We created many chances, we scored a goal and after that Stephy (Mavididi) had a chance one-on-one with the keeper and after that there was a clear penalty for Stephy. After that we conceded just one shot, a goal from Ramsey that was unbelievable and we started the second half still thinking about the goal.

“In this moment we cannot think the team over 90 or 105 minutes is also playing like the first half.”

Marcal-Madivadua’s 36th-minute opener – a high-velocity effort from 15 yards out through a crowd of players after Cardiff had failed to clear a corner – was a first senior goal for the 20-year-old from Portugal.

Out of nowhere, however, Ramsey launched a stoppage-time long-ranger into the top corner to level.

“I think goal of the year maybe,” said Bluebirds boss Bulut. “You don’t always see goals like this and it was the reason we got back in the game.”

That was true and Cardiff might have gone ahead when half-time substitute Yakou Meite was sent through by Romeo but could not hit the target.

“In the second half we had our chances,” Bulut said. “Meite’s was the biggest one. He, in my opinion, hit it a bit quick.

Casadei made Cardiff pay at the death with a winner and Romeo’s second yellow for barging Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall over off the ball swiftly followed.

Cardiff were left to rue what might have been, as they had at Leeds on the opening day when a two-goal lead was finally surrendered in stoppage time.

“What I have to say, and I have said it also before in Leeds, where we were leading at 90-plus, that football is details. With details you win, with details you lose,” Bulut said.

“The second half from my team was great. How many chances to you need to create against Leicester to win the game? Today we could have made it 2-1 and maybe 3-1. We should have won the game but in the end we didn’t manage to score and we lost unluckily.

“These are the things we have to manage better. When we have the chances we have to take them.”

Rooney’s struggling side battled their way back into the game after conceding an early opener to former Birmingham youngster Jobe Bellingham, with Koji Miyoshi levelling the scores towards the end of the first half.

However, Sunderland were the better side for the majority of the contest, and after Dion Sanderson’s own goal restored the home side’s lead, Adil Aouchiche made the game safe with a close-range finish 14 minutes from time.

Sunderland suffered a pre-match blow when Dennis Cirkin was injured during the warm-up, necessitating the promotion of summer signing Nectarios Triantis to the starting line-up for his first league start since his summer move from Australia.

The last-minute switch did not appear to disrupt the Black Cats, however, as they dominated the early stages with Nazariy Rusyn smashing an 11th-minute shot against the post after turning neatly in the area.

Six minutes later, and the deadlock was broken as Sunderland scored from a set-piece. Jack Clarke swung in a corner from the left, Rusyn helped the ball on with a flicked header, and Bellingham volleyed home from the edge of the six-yard box.

Bellingham left Birmingham to join Sunderland in the summer, and the 18-year-old, who is the younger brother of England and Real Madrid star Jude, almost doubled his tally midway through the first half.

Bellingham swivelled smartly after Patrick Roberts’ corner was allowed to pass deep into the penalty area, but he scuffed his shot and the ball struck the same post that had been hit by Rusyn a few minutes earlier.

Birmingham were struggling at that stage, but the visitors battled their way back into things and gradually began to create chances of their own.

Niall Huggins hacked off his own goal-line to prevent Jay Stansfield from bundling home, but the home defence was breached on the half-hour mark.

Pierre Ekwah conceded possession, and after Stansfield crossed from the right, no one tracked the run of Miyoshi, who swept home a clinical first-time finish.

With the game remaining extremely open, chances continued to flow in the second half.

A brilliant last-ditch tackle from Birmingham defender Emanuel Aiwu prevented Rusyn getting a shot away, but the weight of Sunderland’s pressure told as they regained the lead just before the hour mark.

A short-corner routine ended with Roberts crossing from the right, with full-back Trai Hume keeping the ball alive at the back post as he looped a header over goalkeeper John Ruddy.

Triantis slid in with Aiwu on the goal-line, and after a series of ricochets, the final touch appeared to come off Sanderson before the ball ended up in the back of the net.

Sunderland made the game safe with 14 minutes left as Clarke did brilliantly to create space to slide over a low cross from the left, with substitute Aouchiche breaking ahead of his marker to turn home from close range.

Andre Dozzell’s thunderbolt opener that crashed in off the inside of the post two minutes before half-time put Rangers on track for a second win of the season. It was his first in two years with the club.

And with 19 minutes remaining former Sunderland and Newcastle midfielder Jack Colback added the second on Teesside when he fired in through a crowded area.

Ainsworth, who did not add to his squad on transfer deadline day, thinks he has seen enough already this season to suggest QPR are going to make an impact on the division.

“The enjoyment comes from getting what you deserve, over the last three or four weeks,” said Ainsworth.

“I have had a good look at myself. How I want to play. And the boys are buying into the identity. They have emptied the tank for us.

“You can put the systems in place but you can’t always get them to empty the tank. These boys are a real team for me.

“I did a little graph before the game and showed them where I want them to go, they have bought into this upward curve. I have just said this isn’t a flash in the pan. It’s been sensational and two great goals.

“As a man who shoots from distance, Andre’s goal eclipsed my goals, that was so special.

“I’m really pleased for him, and I hope he takes a leaf out of Jack’s book of two in two – that’s one player we didn’t sign for his goalscoring quality.”

While Ainsworth was impressed, Boro counterpart Michael Carrick was left wondering how his side are still searching for a first league win. Middlesbrough have claimed just one point from 15.

Sam Greenwood and Lewis O’Brien, signed on loan from Leeds and Nottingham Forest respectively, both made second-half debuts for Middlesbrough but QPR claimed the points.

Middlesbrough, last season’s play-off semi-finalists, signed 12 players during the summer window, so the squad has a completely different feel to it.

One of those newcomers, striker Emmanuel Latte Lath, was denied a goal on numerous occasions by QPR goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.

Carrick said: “I’m disappointed really. We didn’t help ourselves for spells in the game, we had big chances as well, opportunities to score. We will accept it wasn’t good enough in general, that’s clear but at the same point we had the chances to take.

“We can’t keep saying it, we have to do something about it. I’m disappointed for the players, supporters, it’s not great for them to see that. Players have to find a way to get that spark back that we lacked today.

“Missing chances is part of it, the fact we are making a lot, clear-cut ones as well. Sometimes there is a spell when they don’t fall for you, but it is up to us to do something about it and make sure it doesn’t happen.

“We are having really big chances. That gives us a lot of confidence.

“There were a few things, we didn’t start as well as we could have. There are reasons we will have to look at. A slow start to the game made it harder, we were chasing after that. There were moments when we looked good and it was a mixed bag.”

Rangers’ 2-0 loss to Bristol City was their 12th home defeat of the campaign and highlighted their shortcomings at both ends of the pitch.

“It just hits home and gives me more evidence of what I need to do in the summer,” said Ainsworth, who took over in February.

“There are big changes that need to happen here. We’ve got to have real, big changes here in the summer. I’m realising that more and more.

“You’ve got to be passionate. You’ve got to be crawling off that pitch at the end of the game. I was really expecting a bit more today.

“But I don’t want to let it get to me too much. I’ve got to sort my squad out and sort the changes out.

“I want a proper team that reflects the way I am, the way I manage, the way I want things done – and I aim to do that.

“I’m sure there will be a lot of comings and goings throughout the summer. I want to be in here sorting it out and I’ll do my best to do that.

“It’s going to be tough. But, given the chance and given the backing, I think I can bring the right characters in.”

Bristol City boss Nigel Pearson believes his club can challenge for the play-offs next season if they are able to bring players in.

Pearson said: “I think our fan base is quite excited about how this young team can move forward.

“Now we’ve got to get the additions right and see if we can shape the squad in a way that we can be competitive in the top half, looking to push on for the play-off places.

“There’s no point setting standards low or trying to be too safe with predictions. We’ve got to start delivering.

“The players are capable, but we need to win games like today that potentially could go either way.

“We’ve been involved in games this season where we really should pick points up and we’ve not. So I’m pleased today.

“I think it’s important that the players and staff come back refreshed and ready to really push on. It’s not about being happy with small progressions – it’s about trying to be successful.

“The future for the club will be bright for many years to come, which is good.”

Goals from Mark Sykes and Sam Bell gave the Robins victory at Loftus Road, where the home side struggled to create clear-cut chances and always looked vulnerable at the back.

City, who finished 14th, were fairly comfortable against Rangers, who were top in October but finished 20th, and would have finished below relegated Reading had the Berkshire club not been given a six-point deduction.

Pearson said: “That performance was just what we were trying to achieve today.

“They can be quite dangerous games when people might talk about there being not a lot on them.

“I’m sure they wanted to end on a positive note at home, and we wanted to maintain our standards in terms of our application.

“We did some really good things. The performance was good, with good energy, and it’s a good outcome.”

The Lions produced the perfect response to weekend defeat to Leeds as Ryan Longman’s first-half strike put the hosts ahead before Zian Flemming and Tom Bradshaw each added second-half goals.

The win saw Millwall climb up the Sky Bet Championship table to 11th as Rotherham were left in 21st following a lacklustre away performance.

Rowett said: “We responded but we responded in a way that I just didn’t think we allowed Rotherham to create anything or really put us under pressure and that’s probably the bit that I liked the most about the performance.

“It’s never easy at the weekend when you play a game and you lose 3-0 in the game that I didn’t think we deserved to lose 3-0 in.

“But you’ve got to still come out and fight and then show a little bit of spirit and that’s what today was.

“We passed the ball, we were quite patient, we still look to go in behind and attack quickly.

“We kept it at the right times and I think that made it very difficult for Rotherham to build anything against us.

“Casper (De Norre) was excellent in that respect, he just kept receiving the ball, kept getting into intelligent positions and I thought he was outstanding tonight.

“For Zian and Brad [Tom Bradshaw], it’s nice for them to get on the scoresheet. Both of them were excellent for different reasons and in different ways.”

Matt Taylor rued defensive errors and admitted Rotherham have come second best all too often in the Championship so far, registering just four points from seven games.

Since a 1-0 win in 2014, Rotherham have failed to score a single goal in any of their subsequent trips to The Den and Millers boss Taylor rued his side’s inability to match Millwall’s strength.

Taylor said: “We weren’t where we needed to be to stand up to Millwall’s style. It was similar to the weekend really where we’re second best too often I’m afraid.

“We’ve got a problem with physicality; I have to start with my backline in relation to that.

“We’re looking for solutions, we didn’t quite have the glue to stick certain units together.

“I was actually quite pleased to get in at half-time at 1-0, despite a really good strike to go behind to.

“We tried to change a few things and in the second half, we started the brighter but that second goal is unfortunately where we are at the moment, it kind of came out of nothing, not an outstanding attack.

“We can give credit to the opposition, but we’re just too easy to play through and to score against.”

On-loan Fulham striker Jay Stansfield eased City’s relegation fears with the only goal of the game in the 68th minute.

Stansfield’s 10th Sky Bet Championship goal of the season secured Blues a deserved first victory in eight games since manager Tony Mowbray was last in the dugout.

“I think for the team it was one of the most important wins of the season,” said Rowett.

“I think this win gives them that belief again of knowing what we need to do to win, knowing what we need to do to compete in a game.

“It’s also about knowing that if we show that desire as a group, we’ve got the quality.

“It was an important three points. There’s no feeling like winning games – the feeling for the crowd after the game, the feeling after the final whistle, the feeling as a player coming back into the dressing room.

“Recognising and understanding what got you that feeling and replicating day in, day out is what makes people win all the time. That’s what we need to do.”

After four straight defeats and one point from the last 21, it was also Blues’ first clean sheet in nine.

City have been accused by critics of lacking fight, but it was certainly in evidence here.

“We showed that side of the game that I maybe felt, ‘Have we got that?’” added Rowett.

“All the players can do is prove people wrong. If I was a player and had that labelled at me I would want to roll my sleeves up and do something about it.”

Regarding the goal, Rowett added: “You want a one against one, but maybe not when you’ve got 10 seconds to think about it.

“But I wouldn’t have wanted it to drop to anyone else – he’s as good a finisher as we’ve got.”

Stansfield got the all-important goal with the first opening of the second half.

Koji Miyoshi’s short pass inside his own half carried little danger, but the sliding Andrew Hughes failed to cut it out and then Liam Lindsay completely missed the loose ball to gift Stansfield a clear route to goal.

Preston manager Ryan Lowe said of the goal: “We can’t legislate for that slip – it cost us a point, minimum.

“But we could have had the game out of sight in the first half when we had two glorious chances to score and it would have been a potentially game-over situation at 2-0.

“My centre half (Lindsay) who has been outstanding all season slipped at the wrong time.

“And if you give a player of that calibre a one-versus-one he will have every chance of scoring.”

Lowe felt his side did not do enough to get back into the game.

“We did everything we could, but decision making and a lack of quality has cost us,” he said.

The Sky Blues had lost just once at home since mid-January, but were handed a third consecutive defeat to remain 20th in the Sky Bet Championship table.

The Baggies’ second away win of the season lifted them back into the play-off positions as they notched their sixth clean sheet in seven outings.

Carlos Corberan’s men began the night without a recognised striker as Thomas-Asante was left out of the line-up, but when Ben Wilson spilled Nathaniel Chalobah’s effort straight at the feet of Diangana, the winger had the presence of mind to steady himself and roll into an empty net in the 17th minute.

The visitors had started on the front foot as they camped in Coventry’s half and won a succession of corners, but were stopped in their tracks when the offside flag went up as Kyle Bartley’s header hit a post.

It was a miserable night for Coventry’s record signing Haji Wright, who squandered two huge opportunities to level with the score at 1-0.

First, the American diverted Liam Kitching’s pinpoint cross wide of Alex Palmer’s goal from close range after he had seen an earlier effort blocked by Cedric Kipre.

Palmer was also on hand to block Wright’s shot from a tight angle when he was played in by Jay Dasilva, while Jamie Allen failed to connect with his effort.

It was a frustrating first half for Mark Robins’ men, who racked up 11 efforts on goal, with Tatsuhiro Sakamoto’s shot beaten away by Palmer while Ben Sheaf fired over twice from range.

Shortly after half-time, Josh Eccles’ defence-splitting pass sent Wright through one-on-one with Palmer but he pulled his effort wide with the goal gaping.

He and the Sky Blues were made to pay in the 69th minute when Matt Phillips set Thomas-Asante away down the left and the striker drove into the box before opening his body and finding the top corner with deadly precision.

The substitute could have further extended the lead when he stole possession from Kyle McFadzean and weaved his way between a host of defenders before blasting over.

Coventry had only scored two goals in their previous four matches and Matt Godden and Ellis Simms were thrown on to try to get the Sky Blues back in the game, while Callum O’Hare had a penalty shout waved away on his first home appearance since December after a knee injury.

Twelve months ago the Baggies sat bottom of the league on 14 points from 17 games, but held onto their 2-0 victory to make it one defeat in their last nine as they rose to fifth in the table.

The Millers were under the guidance of interim boss Wayne Carlisle following the dismissal of Matt Taylor and battled hard to earn a point against their third-placed visitors.

The game began according to form, with Leeds going ahead in the sixth minute following a sweeping move.

Crysencio Summerville was slipped in down the left by Georginio Rutter and he had the time to perfectly pick out the bottom corner.

The visitors threatened again with another lightning move but Dan James fired way off target after getting clear.

Rotherham had a half chance when the ball dropped kindly to Sam Nombe but the striker miscued his effort and sent it over the top.

Viktor Johansson had to be alert to deny Summerville a second after he was slipped in on goal by Joel Piroe and then Rutter fired off target from the edge of the box.

Again Leeds launched an attack on the break after Summerville saw off Seb Revan’s challenge. He slipped in Glen Kamara but the midfielder lashed into the side netting.

Rotherham levelled in stoppage time at the end of the first half, with Hakeem Odoffin taking advantage of Leeds’ defensive hesitancy and smashing low beyond Illan Meslier.

Liam Cooper was incredibly alert to stop Rotherham going in front early in the second half as he got back in the nick of time to stop Nombe’s goalbound shot from going in.

Leeds opted to change things for the final 20 minutes after offering little goal threat in the second period.

Patrick Bamford and Ian Poveda came off the bench as United boss Daniel Farke hunted a winning goal.

It took some last-ditch defending from the Millers to deny a Leeds opening through Summerville’s jinking run in the box after Bamford failed to get on the end of Piroe’s pass.

Wilfried Gnonto was then found by a superb ball from James but his effort was just off target.

Rotherham were still causing their share of problems at the other end and Meslier was forced into a save when Fred Onyedinma burst clear down the right.

Leeds ramped up the pressure late on and Pascal Struijk was inches away from nodding Leeds back ahead from James’ cross.

The away fans thought they had nicked the points late on when Jaidon Anthony tapped in but the flag had been raised.

After Stephy Mavididi opened the scoring, Andre Dozzell equalised shortly before the interval, but was sent off early in the second half.

Struggling QPR – who have now lost six matches in a row and remain one off the bottom of the table – battled hard, but the Foxes eventually made their numerical advantage count with 10 minutes left.

The ball was worked out to Winks, who made space for the shot and rifled in a right-footed strike from the edge of the penalty area for the midfielder’s first Leicester goal since moving from Tottenham.

QPR have won just once at home in more than a year and now have lost all but one of their seven home games this season.

A spirited showing probably somewhat eased the pressure on Gareth Ainsworth, but a defeat away to fellow strugglers Rotherham next weekend would put his future as R’s boss in more doubt.

Leicester dominated possession from the start and QPR had an early let-off when Cesare Casadei headed over from six yards from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s corner.

However, luck went against Rangers when they fell behind on the half-hour mark.

Mavididi cut in from the left and Albert Adomah’s attempt to block the shot resulted in a looping deflection which went beyond keeper Asmir Begovic and in off the far post.

QPR responded well to the setback and equalised five minutes before half-time.

Lyndon Dykes’ header from Adomah’s cross was cleared off the line by Hamza Choudhury, but the ball dropped to Dozzell, who fired home left-footed from the edge of the penalty area.

Dozzell, though, soon from hero to villain when he was sent off on 59 minutes for two cautions.

Abdul Fatawu reacted angrily to a challenge from Dozzell, who raised a hand towards the Leicester winger and was shown a first yellow card for the foul followed by another for the retaliation.

It reduced QPR to 10 men for the second successive match, with Jimmy Dunne having been dismissed during the midweek loss at West Brom.

Already without injured centre-backs Steve Cook and Morgan Fox, Dunne’s absence further limited Ainsworth’s defensive options as Leicester closed out victory when Winks struck late on.

Rangers can at least take some encouragement from the fight they showed against a Leicester team which has won 13 of their opening 14 league games this season and seem very much on course for promotion back to the Premier League.

Midfielder Hayden Hackney scored a stunner just after the hour mark to rescue a point for Michael Carrick’s side, cancelling out Dael Fry’s own goal 14 minutes earlier, with the draw meaning both Boro and the Terriers are still looking for their first win of the Championship season.

Former Arsenal striker Akpom this week completed a £12million move to Dutch giants Ajax on the back of his stunning 29-goal campaign for Carrick’s side last season.

Boro’s bid to find goals in Akpom’s absence led them to Emmanuel Latte Lath, who joined from Atalanta this week and made his debut against Town as did fellow new arrival Lukas Engel.

But the pair were denied a winning start by the Terriers and their returning manager Neil Warnock, who was back at the Riverside for the first time since he was sacked in November 2021.

Boro had lost their first two games of the season for the first time since 2007 but made a bright start, with Latte Lath keen to impress. The Ivorian had two efforts on goal inside the first six minutes.

It wasn’t all one-way traffic in the opening stages, however.

Boro goalkeeper Seny Dieng did well to claw away a Matty Pearson volley after 10 minutes before Brahima Diarra got a shot away on the swivel inside the six-yard box that clipped the outside of the post eight minutes later.

The Terriers made a dream start to the second period, taking the lead less than two minutes after the resumption when Sorba Thomas’ corner from the left was turned into his own net by Fry at the front post.

Thomas’ deliveries were causing problems and Town pushed for a second, with the home defence looking shaken and vulnerable.

It took Boro 10 minutes or so to settle after falling behind and Aussie winger Sammy Silvera lifted the Riverside crowd with a shot that clipped the top of the bar.

Ex-Manchester City forward Morgan Rogers went close on the hour mark after a fine individual run only to be denied by Lee Nicholls.

But there was nothing the Huddersfield keeper could do to keep out Hackney’s effort a minute later.

There looked to be little danger for Town when the midfielder received the ball on the left edge of the area but the 21-year-old shifted it on to his right foot and hit a thunderbolt into the top corner.

Boro had a glorious chance to win it in stoppage time but Silvera skied his effort inside the box.

Chair featured amid reports he faces a year in prison after being found guilty in Belgium of assault, but his club said in a statement on Friday that “the legal proceeding is yet to reach its conclusion”.

Asked about the playmaker’s inclusion, Cifuentes said: “I think the club made a very clear statement about the situation. I don’t want to comment much about this.

“He’s an available player and I’m happy for him – it was a very good performance and he’s a very important player for us.

“I’m very pleased about the team’s performance and that’s all I can say regarding Ilias.”

Chair teed up the winning goal for Chris Willock, whose 75th-minute strike secured three priceless points.

Tom Eaves’ early goal gave the division’s bottom side hope of a first away win since November 2022.

But the hosts turned it around in the second half, with Paul Smyth equalising before Willock fired home.

Cifenutes said: “I’m very happy for the guys and for the fans. Finally, after a lot of weeks in the bottom three, it’s something that’s a milestone mentally.

“At the same time, we need to keep very humble. We know that we have a very tough schedule in front of us, so we need to keep on pushing.

“But that shows the progress of the team. At half-time we made some adjustments and the second half was much better.

“All credit to the players because we put the ball on the ground in the second half, competed much better and I’m very pleased.”

Rotherham boss Leam Richardson felt tiredness was a factor in his side’s failure to hold on to their lead.

The Millers, beaten 4-3 at Ipswich in midweek, have now lost six matches in a row and are without a win in 10.

Richardson, who took over in December, said: “We’ve got an awful habit of taking games to people, going in front and then losing by one goal after not seeing a performance through.

“We’ve got a small squad and it looked like we ran out of legs a little bit, with travelling to Ipswich on Tuesday night and travelling back down here yesterday.

“Sometimes the Championship can catch up with you if you’re not bang at it and your fitness levels are not really high.

“Our lads put a lot in on Tuesday night and it’s very similar over the games I’ve been here – the performance levels are there to compete, we just need to turn that dial a bit to turn the draws into wins and losses into draws.

“I came into a situation which I knew and I’ve been trying to instil good habits. It’s important that we work hard and that we address certain things and move forward to be better as a football club.”

Morgan Whittaker scored a stunning opener for the visitors after seven minutes but Town equalised with time running out in the first half following an own goal by former Norwich full-back Bali Mumba and George Hirst gave Town the lead just after the break.

Ipswich goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky came to the rescue as Argyle pressed during the closing stages, but Marcus Harness struck in the 86th minute to put the game beyond Argyle, despite a late reply from Joe Edwards.

The result keeps Ipswich nine points ahead of third-placed Leeds and five points behind leaders Leicester.

The Tractor Boys almost took the lead after three minutes when Conor Chaplin played in Hirst who prodded the ball goalwards but Plymouth goalkeeper Michael Cooper managed to grab the ball on the goal-line.

Argyle struck first through Whittaker. He collected the ball on the right and strode forward before unleashing a terrific shot from 20 yards which flew past Hladky and into the top-left corner of the goal.

Sierra Leone international Mustapha Bundu, who was brought on in the 19th minute for Argyle’s Ryan Hardie, found himself in acres of space on the right and as he progressed into the Ipswich penalty area, George Edmundson managed to make a last-ditch tackle just outside the box, despite appeals for a free-kick from the visitors.

That was the impetus Town needed to get back into the game and they equalised in the 47th minute through an own goal from Mumba.

It came following Ipswich’s ninth corner of the game. Adam Randall headed the ball across the penalty area and Massimo Luongo back-heeled the ball towards goal, striking Mumba and trickling past Cooper into the goal.

Town took the lead in the 54th minute through Hirst. Leif Davis played a sumptuous ball forward and the Ipswich striker raced clear to fire the ball beyond the despairing Cooper from just inside the penalty area.

Ipswich came close to scoring a third when Omari Hutchinson’s turn and shot inside the penalty area was deflected behind and Town keeper Hladky proved to be the saviour when he first produced a wonderful save from a Dan Scarr header and used his feet to deny Joe Edwards.

The home side confirmed their victory when a low cross from Davis found Harness whose first shot was blocked but he made no mistake at the second attempt.

However, they had to see out a nervous final few minutes when Edwards squeezed a shot past Hladky in the first minute of stoppage time.

The Terriers avoided a defeat that would have seen them relegated on Saturday, but even a win on the final day over promotion hopefuls Ipswich Town will not be enough unless they overcome a huge goal difference of 15 goals with Plymouth Argyle.

Birmingham remain in the other relegation place and now must beat Norwich City to stand a chance of staying up with Sheffield Wednesday, Plymouth and Blackburn Rovers also still in danger.

At the other end of the table, the Canaries dropped points in a 2-2 draw with Swansea City, leaving the door open for Hull City, who face Ipswich Town later today.

All four goals came in the final quarter of the contest as the Terriers recorded their biggest victory of the season.

Josh Koroma scored a 10-minute brace with Matty Pearson and Sorba Thomas adding one apiece to earn Town their first win since Boxing Day.

It was their first match under interim boss Jon Worthington following the sacking of Darren Moore on Monday.

After a scrappy start, Wednesday went close to getting their noses in front in the ninth minute. Djeidi Gassama put Huddersfield’s defence on the back foot before teeing up Ike Ugbo, whose shot was deflected over by Tom Lees.

From the resulting corner, Michael Ihiekwe saw his looping header cleared off the line by Rhys Healey as the visitors continue to press for the opener.

Huddersfield offered precious little in an attacking sense, with Koroma shooting wide when well placed after good work from Bojan Radulovic.

They were then forced into a tactical reshuffle after Healey was forced off with a groin injury. Ben Wiles was introduced to the fray as the hosts looked to get a grip of the midfield battle.

It was a full-blooded contest packed full of industry but low on quality. The tackles continued to fly in and Kristian Pedersen – who was making his Wednesday debut after arriving on loan from Swansea on deadline day – was cautioned after bundling over Alex Matos.

James Beadle was finally forced into action in the Wednesday goal after 34 minutes, expertly charging down Thomas’ effort following an excellent pass from Wiles.

Huddersfield, who are on the hunt for their third permanent boss of the season following Moore’s dismissal last Monday, finished the half strongly.

Jonathan Hogg slipped Thomas in down the right but Radulovic was unable to turn in the winger’s dangerous centre after Beadle was caught out of position.

The hosts lost another forward through injury after the break, with Brahima Diarra taking over from Radulovic.

But Worthington’s side broke the deadlock midway through the half. Pearson rose highest at the back post to head in Thomas’ corner. It was the defender’s second goal of the campaign.

Things got even better for Huddersfield in the 70th minute as Koroma doubled their advantage. He raced onto Wiles’ inviting through ball before coolly firing the ball past Beadle.

As Wednesday committed more bodies forward, they left themselves open at the back and Huddersfield ruthlessly exposed them by bagging a third through Thomas after he shrugged off the attentions of Pederson.

Koroma added a fourth in the 80th minute to compound Wednesday’s woes. No team in the Championship has lost more away games than Wednesday this term (12) and the defeat leaves the visitors second-bottom, eight points from safety.

Jaheim Headley’s low strike handed the Terriers a first-half advantage which was added to after the break by Sorba Thomas and Delano Burgzorg as Darren Moore’s side opened up a five-point gap to the bottom three.

Town headed into the encounter sitting just above the drop zone and on a winless run of five matches, while Rovers had lost four out of their last five clashes and sat 14th in the standings.

Following early Blackburn pressure, Thomas collected David Kasumu’s right-wing cross to chest down and slice over from inside the box after four minutes.

At the other end, Niall Ennis had Rovers’ first real chance before the 10-minute mark but fired straight at Town keeper Chris Maxwell.

Ben Wiles rose the highest from Thomas’ corner not long after but Leopold Wahlstedt was untroubled in the Blackburn goal.

Town then went close to taking the lead when Kasumu found Thomas and Wahlstedt showed great reactions to parry to safety.

Rovers winger Arnor Sigurdsson was not far away after latching onto Sammie Szmodics’s lay-off for a sublime curling effort which flew just over.

The chances continue to come and Dominic Hyam diverted Headley’s dangerous low cross over his own goal, before Burgzorg’s mazy and persistent run down the right was eventually snuffed out by Rovers.

The hosts made the breakthrough in the 28th minute when Headley took aim and his low drive went straight under Wahlstedt too easily to put the Terriers in front.

Jack Rudoni rose highest to meet Thomas’ free-kick as Huddersfield sought a second but Wahlstedt was equal to it, while injured Town goalkeeper Maxwell was replaced before half-time by Jacob Chapman for his Championship debut.

Szmodics nearly capped off a flowing Rovers move in stoppage time but curled just over as the hosts led at the break.

After half-time, Blackburn top scorer Szmodics delivered a dangerous cross which just missed the arriving Ennis and Chapman parried behind.

The hosts doubled their lead 10 minutes into the second half when Burgzorg slotted across goal for a free Thomas to bury past Wahlstedt.

Shortly after that, Huddersfield wanted a penalty when Rudoni went down under Wahlstedt’s challenge but replays showed the Rovers stopper clearly got the ball.

It mattered little for Town though as they made it 3-0 in the 68th minute to all but wrap up the win, substitute Josh Koroma putting Burgzorg in and the Huddersfield attacker’s shot slipped under Wahlstedt.

Jake Garrett’s 78th-minute free-kick sailed harmlessly over as Rovers sought to reduce the deficit, with Callum Brittain’s long-range drive also off target as the Terriers held firm to claim three valuable points.

Bojan Radulovic’s strike just before half-time – his first following a January move from HJK Helsinki – handed the visiting Terriers the ascendancy.

But an impressive Ki-Jana Hoever finish shortly after the restart levelled the proceedings – his second goal in as many games.

The visitors, who have won only one of their seven games under new boss Andre Breitenreiter, could not restore their advantage as their winless run stretches to six.

Meanwhile, with only two losses in their last six games, Stoke remain five points above the dreaded dotted line.

Despite their recent form, Breitenreiter would have been encouraged by a heartening Huddersfield start in the Potteries.

The Terriers’ early promise was nearly rewarded when a Matty Pearson header nestled in the back of the net. However, the defender’s celebrations were cut short with the goal ruled out for offside following Patrick Jones’ interference in front of keeper Daniel Iversen.

Heeding their early warning sign, Stoke gradually grew into the fixture with Lewis Baker testing Lee Nicholls from range.

A high-tempo opening to the game ensued and Huddersfield spurned two half-chances in quick succession before the half-hour mark.

Radulovic’s tame strike from a promising position and a wild David Kasumu effort were then nearly punished by the lively Baker. The former Chelsea youngster came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock but his free-kick from 30 yards crashed off the crossbar with Lee Nicholls helpless.

And it was Huddersfield who snatched the advantage before the break as Radulovic skipped beyond the challenge of Michael Rose to fire confidently beyond Iversen.

But the Terriers’ lead proved short-lived as Stoke returned for the restart with the wind in their sails.

The in-form Hoever levelled the scores in impressive style, cutting inside Sorba Thomas before firing a pinpoint effort beyond the despairing Nicholls.

Buoyed by their equaliser, the Potters attempted to complete a rapid turnaround with Hoever first going close with an audacious strike from range.

Wouter Burger then raced through on goal but the Dutch midfielder failed to generate the power to beat the onrushing Nicholls.

Huddersfield were fortunate not to fall behind, with Nicholls pawing a Laurent header only as far as Luke McNally whose effort was hooked off the line by Jack Rudoni.

Despite Stoke’s second-half dominance, it was Huddersfield who finished the stronger and they nearly snatched a late winner.

Substitute Delano Burgzorg was thwarted by a block and then an Iversen save as he spurned two chances.

With six games remaining, both sides still have work to do to secure their Championship status for next season.

Head coach Liam Rosenior was shown a red card by referee Keith Stroud for the angry protest which followed Adam Idah’s stoppage-time winner.

That meant he was forced to miss the post-match press conference under new rules, with assistant head coach Justin Walker standing in to air his side’s greviances.

“I have to be careful with what I say but we are very angry about the way the game was managed at the end,” he said.

“We were told there was five minutes of added time and five minutes and 15 seconds had been played when the ball was played into a neutral area. That was the time he should have blown the final whistle, so why didn’t he?

“And if the officials weren’t sure whether their player was offside or not, why was the goal allowed to stand? We also felt the corner that led to the goal shouldn’t have been given as the ball had already gone out.

“A lot of things happened at the end but the bottom line is we think the game should have finished by then.

“Having said all that there were plenty of positives to take from the game, even though there are things we need to do better, we know that. But all we are doing is talking about what happened in added time.”

Despite the controversy, it was a deserved win for Norwich who completely dominated the first half before a more evenly-matched second period.

The hosts had already had a couple of decent efforts before going behind against the run of play in the 17th minute.

On-loan Manchester City striker Liam Delap produced an emphatic finish into the roof of the net after catching Shane Duffy in possession.

But the one-sided nature of proceedings continued after that, with Norwich finally drawing level in first-half stoppage time through youngster Jonathan Rowe who fired home emphatically from just outside the box after being played through by the middle by Dimi Giannoulis.

The second half was a more tight affair, but just as it seemed as though honours would be shared substitute Idah found himself in the right place at the right time to convert from close range after a last-gasp cross had been deflected into his path off a Hull defender.

Norwich head coach David Wagner was delighted with his side’s opening-day performance.

“I know we got our winning goal right at the end but I thought it was a deserved win,” he said.

“In the first half I thought we were outstanding, creating lots of chances. We didn’t have the same level in the second half but we kept going and got our reward in the end.

“It could have been frustrating for the supporters in the first half with us not ts,aking our chance, but they kept believing and I think that got through to the players who kept believing as well.

“It was a poor goal to concede but the players reacted well and I am delighted with the way we played – coming back from 1-0 down to take all three points, everyone is happy.

“I have seen a lot of good things in pre-season and this was a continuation of that – another step in the right direction.”

Rovers were always up against it after Liam Delap and Aaron Connolly scored early in the first half.

Sammie Szmodics and Harry Pickering – on his 25th birthday and 100th start for the club – made it 2-2 at the break but Alfie Jones’ winner after 63 minutes condemned Jon Dahl Tomasson to another damaging loss.

Blackburn were reduced to 10 men when Dominic Hyam was sent off for a second bookable offence after 74 minutes.

Delap capitalised on some poor defending to open the scoring after 11 minutes, skipping past Pickering before charging into the penalty area. Hyam then failed to stop Delap thumping the ball in at Leopold Wahlstedt’s near post.

Blackburn nearly equalised moments later when Dilan Markanday teed up Semir Telalovic on the edge of the box. The German’s strike was unimpressive but took a jolting deflection off Jones on to the base of the left post.

The visitors were once again not at their best at the back after 18 minutes, with Hyam and James Hill outdone by a routine long ball, from which Connolly controlled well before cushioning a half-volley home.

The visitors reduced the deficit on 33 minutes when Arnor Sigurdsson’s speculative punt through the middle bisected Jones and Jacob Greaves. Szmodics had the nous to spot Matt Ingram off his line before expertly chipping home for his 15th goal of the season.

Pickering then restored parity deep into first-half injury time when he was played into the penalty area on the overlap. Ingram might have done better but a slight deflection skewed the ball from his grasp.

Hull were back ahead as Rovers failed to clear Tyler Morton’s corner from the left and Jones scraped the ball into the net from three yards.

Hyam was handed a second booking for a foul on Ozan Tufan and while Blackburn had plenty of possession thereafter, Ingram was never seriously tested.