Baggies Hit The Accelerator Button To Go Top

Another busy week has seen West Bromwich Albion take over from Newcastle United at the top of the Championship table.

The Baggies have enjoyed a fine week, picking up six points and scoring eight goals in their two matches. In mid-week they battled back from a goal down to beat Doncaster Rovers 3-1, courtesy of a brace from Jonas Olsson and a stunning long range effort from Chris Woods. Then in a much anticipated top of the table clash with Middlesbrough, West Brom leaped into top gear, thrashing the hosts 5-0.

With Boro sitting in second, the game had been expected to be a tight affair but a first half brace from Chris Brunt triggered a Middlesbrough collapse, as the Baggies ran riot. Goals from Youssouf Mulumbu, Roman Bednar and Jerome Thomas compounded Boro’s misery and left manager Gareth Southgate with the unenviable task of picking up his players in time for next weekends trip to Coventry.

Former Championship leaders Newcastle United had a mixed week, losing top spot with a 2-1 defeat at Blackpool, before bouncing back on Saturday with a 3-1 victory over struggling Plymouth. The Magpies now sit second, a point behind West Brom but three points clear of Middlesbrough.

At the other end of the table Ipswich enjoyed a better week but are still without a first win of the season after picking up a point in each of their matches. In midweek they were held to a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest after Rob Earnshaw came off the bench to cancel out Grant Leadbitter’s opener. Then on Saturday there was more frustration for the Tractor Boys as Doncaster Rovers grabbed a late equaliser in a 3-3 thriller at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Ipswich now sit 23^rd in the table and are joined in the drop zone by Barnsley and Plymouth Argyle. Barnsley have a new man in charge and enjoyed a good week as well as increasing their Championship betting odds by picking up four points, while Plymouth may soon have a new boss themselves – Paul Sturrock coming under increasing pressure after another pointless week.