ENGLISH CHAMPIONSHIP:REPUBLIC OF Ireland internationals Alex Bruce and Keith Treacy were among the goalscorers in an astonishing game at Elland Road last night that witnessed 10 goals.
In a game that had everything, Preston North End, who began the evening in the drop zone, recovered from 4-1 behind after 39 minutes to snatch a barely believable 6-4 away success.
Jon Parkin had given them an early lead before the hosts responded brilliantly with Davide Somma’s double added to goals from Luciano Becchio and Bruce seemingly putting them in control.
Anyone in attendance at Elland Road who thought the game was over was to be proven badly wrong, though, as North End produced a remarkable riposte.
Parkin, who was applauded by the home support when he was substituted late on, was the star, netting either side of goals from Treacy and Callum Davidson, before Iain Hume added a sixth.
Meanwhile, in a seven-goal thriller at Carrow Road last night, Dubliner Wes Hoolahan scored twice to give Norwich a 4-3 victory over Leicester.
The pressure continues to mount on Leicester boss Paulo Sousa, with the Foxes – who opened the scoring through Martyn Waghorn – remaining at the foot of the Championship.
Goals from Andrew Crofts, Adam Drury – along with Hoolahan’s brace – earned victory for the home side.
Matty Fryatt, who came on to score twice, was sent off for a goalmouth tussle with Leon Barnett after Leicester’s third goal, and that effectively killed off any hopes they had of taking a point.
At the Madejski Stadium, Simon Church struck the winner barely 20 seconds after stepping off the bench as Reading edged out Roy Keane’s Ipswich to climb into the play-off places.
The game looked to be heading for stalemate after both sides had been reduced to 10 men early in the second half, Luke Hyam and Royals skipper Matt Mills seeing red.
But striker Church, only brought on after a late injury to Hal Robson-Kanu, was in the right place at the right time to seal maximum points for the hosts.
QPR’s 100 per cent home record came to an end after Millwall denied the league leaders a fifth straight win.
Neil Warnock’s Rangers have yet to concede a goal at Loftus Road, but could not find a way through at the other end in a feisty London derby.
Millwall were under the cosh for long periods, but held out for a point thanks to goalkeeper David Forde, who made three fine saves to thwart the hosts.
Warnock’s side remain six points clear at the top, however, after their nearest rivals failed to take advantage.
Crystal Palace held high-flying Cardiff to a goalless draw to claim their first away point of the season in a lacklustre encounter.
George Burley’s side held the worst away record in all four English leagues going into the clash having lost all four games on their travels and conceded 12 goals in the process without scoring.
But they now have at least one away point to their name, and they were most likely to take all three against a poor Cardiff side who are desperately struggling without the services of the injured Craig Bellamy, Michael Chopra and Danny Drinkwater.
