Preston North End 1 Barnsley 4

The Championship game between Preston North End and Barnsley at Deepdale on Tuesday Feb 2, 2010.

Barnsley fans were left chanting "It's just like watching Brazil" as Brazilian Anderson De Silva's stunning strike sent his side on their way to a crushing victory at Preston.

When the Sao Paulo-born midfielder, 27, rifled a brilliant low shot into the net from 25 yards after eight minutes, it was just reward for the Tykes' early enterprise.

Danny Welbeck equalised for Preston in the 27th minute after a mistake from Barnsley defender Darren Moore but Mark Robins' men hit back in style and ran out emphatic winners.

They restored their lead four minutes before half-time when Preston full-back Michael Hart diverted Stephen Foster's header into his own net.

Andy Gray added a third with 21 minutes remaining and he then showed intelligence to set up debutant substitute Jay Rodriguez for a fourth in added time.

Barnsley outfought and outplayed Preston throughout and the boos that rang out around Deepdale at the interval and again at the final whistle served as a stark reminder of the task facing North End boss Darren Ferguson.

Ferguson's men had won their previous two matches but they were no match for Barnsley, who on this evidence look the more capable of challenging for a play-off berth.

The Tykes gave a debut to Filipe Teixeira and their crisp passing left Preston chasing shadows at times.

De Silva's eighth-minute opener summed up the early exchanges as the Brazilian dispossessed Richard Chaplow and strode forward unopposed before striking a fierce right-footed shot past Lonergan and into the bottom corner.

The advantage should have been doubled seven minutes later when De Silva's right-wing cross was greeted at the far post by Emil Hallfredsson but the Norwegian's header flashed inches wide.

Preston showed nothing as a creative force in the opening quarter but, after Chris Brown headed a Ross Wallace cross over the crossbar, the equaliser arrived in the 27th minute.

It owed plenty to good fortune as Welbeck seized on a dreadful backpass by Barnsley centre-back Moore, 18 yards from goal, and rifled home past the exposed Luke Steele.

The strike breathed life into Ferguson's men but Barnsley continued to threaten and in the 41st minute Hallfredsson's outswinging corner from the left flank was met by Foster, whose firm header from 12 yards struck Hart and flew into the net.

Two minutes after the break, Steele produced a fine block to keep out Mellor's right-footed volley at the far post but Lonergan was forced to repel Hugo Colace's long-range effort soon after and then Gray headed against a post.

Preston's goal continued to lead a charmed life but it was breached for a third and final time in the 69th minute when Gray expertly controlled Nathan Doyle's long punt upfield and drilled a fierce shot high into the net from 12 yards.

Ferguson threw on new signing Keith Treacy and also introduced former Barnsley trainee Jon Parkin in the second half but it was to no avail as Gray squared for Rodriguez to tap home a late fourth.

Watford 3 Sheffield United 0

The Championship game between Watford and Sheffield United at Vicarage Road on Tuesday Feb 2, 2010.

Watford claimed their first win for two months and, at the same time, poured more doubts over Sheffield United’s claim for a place in the Premier League on Tuesday night.

Goals from Tom Cleverley, Heidar Helguson and Don Cowie ended Watford’s barren seven-match run, which took them five places up the Championship table to 12th – and dealt the visitors their second defeat in four days. Both teams gave debuts to centre-backs with Premier League experience, with Watford introducing former Birmingham defender Martin Taylor while Nyron Nosworthy, formerly of Sunderland, was starting for United for the first time.

The visitors, though were missing Kyle Walker, recalled by Tottenham, while Fulham’s Tony Kallio was signed too late. The early exchanges suggested the omissions did not hinder United, who were quick to discover just why Scott Loach, the Watford goalkeeper, courted so much attention on transfer deadline day.

Tottenham had a £3 million offer for Loach rejected and he added a couple of hundred pounds to his value when, firstly, he tipped a James Harper corner over his cross-bar. And, from a Harper free-kick, the goalkeeper made an impressive reflex save on his line to deny Chris Morgan.

Watford responded immediately, in the 23rd minute, when Heidar Helguson, on loan from Queens Park Rangers, forced Mark Bunn to make a similarly notable one-handed save. And soon afterwards Watford were unfortunate not to take the lead when leading scorer Tom Cleverley, who recently had his loan spell from Manchester United extended, directed a looping free-kick against the right post.

But soon afterwards, in the 39th minute, the Old Trafford starlet took advantage of poor defending when, from Taylor’s long ball, the United defence hesitated with captain Chris Morgan and former Watford forward Darius Henderson allowing Cleverley to beat Bunn to the ball to head his 10th goal for Watford. But in so doing, the midfielder required lengthy treatment after clashing with the goalkeeper.

Soon afterwards, United manager Kevin Blackwell replaced Morgan, his captain, with Jonathan Fortune. And at half time Blackwell made another change with Mark Yeates replacing Jamie Ward, but Watford should have extended their lead in the first minute of the second half.

Another defensive error – Fortune’s miss-placed kick fell straight to Helguson – offered an easy chance but the Icelander hesitated and Bunn was allowed to save but soon afterwards more erratic defending allowed him to add the second, in the 55th minute, when United failed to clear a seemingly harmless forward ball.

Watford (4-5-1): Loach; Mariappa, Taylor, DeMerit, Doyley; Dowie, Lansbury, Jenkins, Eustace, Cleverley; Helguson.
Subs: McGinn, Graham, Harley, Lee (g), Bennett, Hoskins, Bryan.
Sheffield United (4-4-2): Bunn; Geary, Morgan (Fortune 41), Nosworthy, Stewart; Ward, Harper, Montgomery, Quinn; Cresswell, Henderson.
Subs: France, Evans, Yeates, Williamson, Bennett (G), Camara.
Booked: Harper, Quinn.
Referee: K Hill (Herts).

Leicester City 0 Newcastle United 0

The Championship game between Leicester City and Newcastle United at Walker's Stadium on Saturday Jan 29 2010.

Coca-Cola Championship leaders Newcastle United had to settle for a point at the Walkers Stadium despite playing against 10 men for an hour.

Leicester City midfielder Ritchie Wellens was sent off for the ninth time in his career on the half-hour mark after picking up his second yellow card of the game for a foul on Wayne Routledge.

Wellens had already been booked after 17 minutes for a misdemeanour on Alan Smith.

The closest the Magpies came to capitalising on their numerical advantage was when Patrick Van Aanholt forced a save from Chris Weale late in the first half.

The point extended Newcastle's unbeaten league run to 14 matches and saw Chris Hughton's side stretch their lead at the top of the table to four points after nearest rivals Nottingham Forest were beaten 1-0 at Pride Park by Derby earlier in the day.

Steve Harper tipped a shot from Matty Fryatt over the crossbar midway through the first half, while at the other end Weale pushed Van Aanholt's effort round a post.

The Magpies twice went close in quick succession from corners courtesy of headers from Smith and Andrew Carroll.

Kevin Nolan threatened with another headed effort at the start of the second half.

A rare Leicester attack saw on-loan Sunderland striker Martyn Waghorn fire a left-foot shot just wide soon afterwards.

Carroll saw a goalbound effort blocked by Wayne Brown with 10 minutes remaining.

There was a notable moment six minutes from time when Leicester's new signing Nolberto Solano came on as a substitute for his debut.

The Peruvian received a warm reception from both sets of supporters having spent eight years at Newcastle during spells between 1998 to 2004 and 2005 to 2007.

The Magpies continued to push forward and came close to a winning goal in the final minute but Routledge's shot cleared the crossbar.

Newcastle remain unbeaten in the league since losing 2-1 at Scunthorpe on October 20 while Leicester's play-off hopes continue to stutter - the Foxes are without a win in their last four matches.

Derby County 1 Nottingham Forest 0

The Championship game between Derby County and Nottingham Forest at Pride Park on Saturday Jan 30 2010.

Unbeaten sequences are fragile affairs prone to terminate in the most unexpected circumstances, as most football managers concede stoically.

For Billy Davies and his Nottingham Forest side, however, this defeat by bitter rivals Derby County scarcely will be welcomed with a philosophical shrug that all good things must come to an end.

A formidable run of 19 Championship games unbowed seldom looked worthy of extension at Pride Park, a venue where the visitors have yet to prevail in this East Midlands derby.

Rob Hulse's second half header secured Derby's first home league victory since November, further enhancing Nigel Clough's cause to avoid relegation while inflicting a first away defeat on Forest.

Forest remain second in the table and firmly in contention for a Premier League berth, a repeat of the feat Davies achieved for Derby before his acrimonious departure in November, 2007.

The proximity and hostility of these two clubs has only fuelled Davies's emotions and his refusal to shake hands with Clough at the final whistle, a similar snub that was witnessed at the City Ground last August, confirms a lingering bitterness.

That August win for Forest culminated in astonishing scenes and scuffles on the pitch that merited fines for both clubs but while aggression bristled throughout a typically robust encounter even a touchline skirmish in a tense finale failed to ignite tempers beyond tepid.

Lee Camp's first half saves from Shaun Barker and Jake Buxton were the sum total of Derby's aerial assault while Dexter Blackstock's header, denied by Derby goalkeeper Stephen Bywater, was the best Forest could muster on an uneven surface that did little to encourage their familiar passing game.

"It was scrappy but I was disappointed we didn't compete," said Davies. "They handled the scrap better and that's a lesson for my young side."

Former Forest winger Kris Commons supplied the set piece delivery that found Hulse at the near post to finish decisively in the 78th minute. In fact the links between these two teams are seemingly endless, the Derby post match press conference being hosted by coach Johnny Metgod, the bald Dutchman whose blistering free kicks were a feature of Clough's father Brian's Forest side of the mid-1980s.

Davies said he would be ‘delighted' if this win keeps his former club in the Championship. If it also keeps Forest in the same division, that euphoria may be somewhat tempered.

Match details

Derby County (4-4-2): Bywater; Hunt, Barker, Buxton, McEveley; Green, Savage, Johnson (Teale 74), Pearson; Hulse (Porter 90), Commons (R Anderson 87)
Subs: Deeney (g), Addison, Teale, Moxey, Campbell. Booked: Hulse, Pearson, Commons, Hunt, McEveley
Nottingham Forest (4-4-2): Camp; Gunter, Morgan, Wilson, Perch; Cohen, McKenna, Majewski (McGugan 81), P Anderson (Moussi 76); Blackstock, Earnshaw (Adebola 71)
Subs: Smith (g), Chambers, McCleary, McGoldrick. Booked: Majewski, Morgan, Gunter
Referee: N Swarbrick (Lancashire)

Crystal Palace 2 Peterborough United 0

The Championship game between Derby County and Nottingham Forest at Pride Park on Saturday Jan 30 2010.

Crisis has a marvellous way of focusing the mind. At a stroke, administration and the consequent 10-point fine have converted Crystal Palace’s play-off push into a scrap for survival.

But not for Palace the ordered descent into chaos, on the evidence of this impressive disassembly of Peterborough United. Not yet, anyway.

Palace may not be able to call on the services of Victor Moses again – the forward was again left out on administrator’s orders – but at least they still have Neil Danns, who took both his goals beautifully.

Though key players will be sold in the coming days, Palace’s second coming will be founded upon talent such as his. If they stay in business, they should stay in the division.

By contrast, Peterborough manager Mark Cooper’s attempts to seal up his leaky defence have borne little fruit. At times his side were a shambles at the back, routinely being beaten to the first ball and appearing blind to the possibility of a second.

Now 11 points adrift of safety, they look short of ideas, a team of little style and less substance while Cooper, plucked from non-league Kettering earlier this season, cuts a man uncomfortably out of his depth.

“We’ve been in every game since I got here,” he said, “but whenever we come under a little but of pressure, we concede. It’s not ideal.”

Peterborough were architects of their own demise. The warning signs were there when Tom Williams was robbed on the edge of his own area and Danny Butterfield shot just wide, but they were not heeded.

Shortly before the half-hour Shaun Derry hoisted the ball in, and Peterborough were again slow to react as first Nick Carle and then Butterfield flicked it on. Danns, a former Liverpool schoolboy and Blackburn trainee, swivelled and shot low to open the scoring.

Chris Whelpdale and Craig Mackail-Smith had chances for Peterborough, but the visitors were unable to build any kind of pressure and were deservedly scythed open a second time.

Darren Ambrose found a little space 40 yards out and lifted the ball delicately over the back line. The waiting Danns cracked the offside trap and side-footed the ball almost languorously past Joe Lewis.

There was a poignant denouement, as Palace manager Neil Warnock led his players on to the pitch at the end to applaud the crowd. Any of them could be gone by next week.

“It was emotional,” Warnock said, “but a very good end to a difficult week. I can’t praise the players enough.”

Newcastle United 2 Crystal Palace 0

The Champonship game between Newcastle United and Crystal Palace at St James's Park on Wednesday Jan 27, 2010.

Crystal Palace are the last team that should be charitable but no one of a Newcastle United persuasion would have been complaining about their misguided generosity last night because the Championship leaders desperately needed Lady Luck to be on their side.

Palace, now in administration, put their off-field financial problems to one side to outplay Newcastle at St James' Park and only an own-goal from Shaun Derry and Nile Ranger's late strike allowed the Tyneside club to restore their three-point advantage over second-placed Nottingham Forest in the race for the Premier League.

Palace's resources are so stretched manager Neil Warnock named just three substitutes and left Victor Moses, out of his team on the orders of the administrators with a view to selling their most valuable asset to Nottingham Forest.

It went from bad to worse three minutes for Palace after kick-off as Johannes Ertl limped off. Despite the mounting problems, Warnock's team should have taken an early lead but excellent chances came and went for Calvin Andrew, who was denied by Steve Harper, and Danny Butterfield, who nodded Nick Carle's cross wide from inside the six-yard box.

A Newcastle defence featuring debutant Mike Williamson following his move from Portsmouth looked shaky as did the Palace back-four and Peter Lovenkrands should have put his team ahead but sliced Jose Enrique's cross box wide with just Julian Speroni to beat.

Palace were giving Newcastle a run for their money but they gave their hosts a helping hand in the 20th minute. Derry should have cleared his lines when Andy Carroll nodded down Danny Guthrie's corner.

Instead, the Palace skipper sliced the ball past Speroni and Newcastle were on the way to their first league win this year before they suffered a set-back when Enrique limped off with a hamstring injury.

Chris Hughton had to re-organise his defence, with Tamas Kadar switching to left-back and Fabrice Pancrate slotting in at right-back, and Palace continued to hold the upper hand with Harper having to keep out former team-mate Ambrose's free-kick and Andrew's deflected shot.

Newcastle possess an embarrassment of riches compared with Palace and the emergence of a second home debutant, Palace old boy Wayne Routledge, illustrated the gulf between the haves and have-nots but the visitors continued to make light of the circumstances thanks to Newcastle's poverty of ideas and creativity.

Indeed, thanks to Derry's tenacity and Neil Danns' dexterity, Palace dominated midfield as Alan Smith and Kevin Nolan toiled and almost equalised midway through the second half. Ambrose beat the offside trap but could only direct Carle's cross onto the post before Tamas Kadar blocked Danns' follow-up.

Ranger should have settled local nerves in the 82nd minute when Pancrate curled in an inviting cross but the former Southampton forward headed over on a rare foray into opposition territory.

Butterfield tried his luck from distance as Palace continued to press Newcastle back and the growing sense of anxiety was illustrated when Nolan verbally abused Warnock on the touchline as his side took a much-needed breather.

Unfortunately for Warnock no one on his team had the last word as Newcastle and as his team pushed forward Ranger broke clear and slotted the ball confidently past Speroni in stoppage time for his first goal on Tyneside.

Nottingham Forest 5 Queens Park Rangers 0

The Championship game between Nottingham Forest and Queens Park Rangers at the City Ground on Tuesday Jan 26 2010.

The inexorable rise of Nottingham Forest in the Championship pecking order continued in relentless fashion at the City Ground on Tuesday night, though they are certain to encounter less feeble opposition in their promotion chase.

There was glorious failure in this emphatic victory as the home side were unable to muster a sixth goal that would have ousted Newcastle United from the top. As it is, Forest have created a decent cushion between themselves and the play-off places.

Rangers had never beaten Forest at this venue and a historic away win was never remotely within their grasp as Forest secured a three-goal lead by the interval en route to extending their unbeaten league sequence to 19 games.

Robert Earnshaw’s aim was true from 20 yards with a free-kick that arrowed into the corner after 18 minutes. The Welshman doubled his tally three minutes later when Paul Anderson punished former Forest player Nigel Quashie’s sloppy distribution by teeing up Earnshaw for his 12th of the season.

The rout beckoned when Kaspars Gorkss’s clumsy challenge on Earnshaw conceded a penalty which Dexter Blackstock converted with aplomb against his former club.

It cannot be easy for Queens Park Rangers' players who are never certain which manager will turn up to deliver a team talk on a weekly basis and the latest incumbent, Mick Harford, may well have been lost for words at the interval.

Forest’s fourth arrived easy as you like when Chris Cohen was allowed time and space to turn and run at the defence, his left-foot shot good enough to beat Carl Ikeme, who managed to get a hand on the ball but could not prevent it crossing the line.

There were opportunities to inflict further embarrassment on the visitors but it was not until 12 minutes from time that Forest added a fifth. The ball flashed across the QPR six-yard box, first Cohen then Earnshaw miscuing, before Perch tapped the ball in at the far post.

Match stats:
Nottingham Forest (4-4-2): Camp; Gunter, Morgan (Chambers 72), Wilson, Perch; Cohen, McKenna, Majewski, Anderson (Tyson 69); Blackstock (Adebola 81), Earnshaw.
Subs: McGugan, McGoldrick, Moussi, Smith (g).
Queens Park Rangers (4-4-1-1): Ikeme; Connolly, Stewart (Ramage 46), Gorkss, Hill; Buzsaky, Quashie, Leigertwood, Faurlin (Ephraim 69); Taarabt; Simpson (Vine 64).
Subs: Cerny (g), Hall, Cook, German.
Booked: Buzsaky, Taarabt. Quashie.
Referee: E Ilderton (Tyne and Wear).

Ipswich Town 1 West Bromwich Albion 1

The Championship game between Ipswich Town and West Bromwich Albion at Portman Road on Tuesday Jan 26 2010.

Chris Brunt’s injury-time goal secured West Brom a deserved point against Ipswich at Portman Road, although the scoreline barely does justice to a fluid, handsome game, blessed with 39 shots on goal and good football by both sides.

Neither side will be entirely happy with the outcome, but it was Ipswich who trooped off feeling as though they had been punched in the stomach.

The peerless Graham Dorrans was again at the heart of West Brom’s early promise. From the Scot’s early corner, Jonas Olsson was slightly more culpable of failing to get a head on it than Roman Bednar was for skewing over at the far post.

In fact, Bednar could have had a hat-trick before the break. After 20 minutes Chris Brunt’s perfectly-weighted through ball put him through on goal. Bednar got the first touch, prodding it past the advancing Arran Lee-Barrett. Lee-Barrett got the second, bringing down Bednar. The goalkeeper was lucky to stay on the pitch.

At the back, though, West Brom remianed fallible. Pablo Counago’s pass released David Norris, who seared the ball thrillingly across the face of the goal. Scott Carson had to be at his thrilling best to tip Damien Delaney’s shot wide, and was again equal to the task when Jaime Peters was set free by Pablo Counago.

Carson was on electric form, and it was hard luck on him that he was first to concede. Jonas Olsson appeared to win a perfectly fair header against Delaney, but to the surprise of everyone – not least Delaney himself – Stuart Attwell pointed to the spot, from where Grant Leadbitter was ruthless.

West Brom manager Roberto di Matteo responded immediately, bringing on the rangy Ishamel Miller. But their surgical scalpel was less effective against an Ipswich who stuffed their penalty area with blue shirts, and they created little of note in the last 20 minutes of the game.

By contrast, Ipswich could have put the game to bed. Pim Balkestein had a shot blocked, while Tamas Priskin shot straight at Carson when put clean through.

But in the third minute of injury time, Ipswich failed to clear a corner, substitute Simon Cox’s shot was blocked, and in the ensuing melee, Brunt was able to bundle the ball home. Another crushing late blow for Roy Keane’s men, who have turned the late slip into something of an art form this season.

Ipswich (4-4-2): Lee-Barrett; Rosenior, McAuley, Delaney, Wright (Balkestein 72); Peters, Norris, Leadbitter, Colback; Stead (Priskin 79), Counago (Edwards 65).

Subs: McLoughlin, Garvan, Martin, John.

Booked: Lee-Barrett, Leadbitter.

West Brom (4-5-1): Carson; Jara, Olsson, Tamas, Cech; Thomas (Teixeira 76), Dorrans, Mulumbu (Cox 80), Koren (Miller 68), Brunt; Bednar.

Subs: Kiely, Mattock, Zuiverloon, Martis.

Booked: Dorrans, Mulumbu, Olsson.

Referee: Stuart Attwell (Nuneaton).

Blackpool 1 Sheffield Wednesday 2

The Championship game between Blackpool and Sheffield Wednesday at Bloomfield Road on Tuesday Jan 19 2009.

Alan Irvine, the new manager, has ensured there is a new sense of purpose and resolve at Sheffield Wednesday.

After a winless 12-game sequence, he has begun with back-to-back wins, their first since August.

He started by winning 2-1 at Barnsley and on Tuesday night, at Bloomfield Road, Wednesday remained in equally bullish mood.

Tom Soares, on loan from Stoke, gave them a deserved 71st-minute lead, and substitute Leon Clarke made the match safe with a header 12 minutes later.

Blackpool had started well, and an early effort from Ben Burgess was blocked, while a header by Charlie Adam dipped just wide. Ian Evatt then went close with an attempt that came back off a post.

Wednesday responded through Jermaine Johnson, who shot narrowly wide before he departed with a hamstring problem.

Then Clarke, back in the squad after missing out at Barnsley with hamstring trouble, headed over.

The visitors became even more of a threat towards half-time and went into the break looking clearly the better side.

They continued to dominate on the resumption and when Michael Gray crossed from the left for Marcus Tudgay, his excellent effort cannoned back off a post.

Wednesday persisted and Soares pounced to provide them with a deserved lead after 71 minutes, though Blackpool were far from finished.

Gary Taylor-Fletcher went clean through but he could only drag his shot against the body of onrushing goalkeeper Lee Grant.

Wednesday increased their lead in the 83rd minute when, from Darren Potter’s free-kick on the left, Clarke headed past goalkeeper Paul Rachubka. Adam drove in a late consolation from 25 yards.

Match details

Blackpool (4-4-2): Rachubka; Eardley, Baptiste, Evatt, Crainey; Euell (Taylor-Fletcher 59), Adam, Vaughan (Bannan 73), Ormerod; Burgess, Nardiello (Southern 59).
Subs: Jilks (gk), Martin, Edwards, Butler.
Booked: Bannan, Euell.
Sheffield Wednesday (4-4-2): Grant; Buxton, Purse, Beevers, Spurr (Hinds 90); Soares, Potter, O’Connor, Gray; Tudgay, Johnson (Clarke 24).
Subs: Jameson (gk), Hinds, McAllister, Sodje, Esajas, Simek.
Booked: Buxton, Purse, Potter, Clarke, Soares.
Referee: A Hall (W Midlands).

Newcastle United 2 West Bromwich Albion 2

The Championship game between Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion at St James' Park on Monday Jan 18, 2009.

In this absorbing instalment of the race to return to the promised land, the game was spiced with goals good enough to grace the Premier League itself. West Brom, brimming with quick, clever passing, had been first to show. The positive principles Roberto Di Matteo has instilled were seen to devastating effect early on, the visitors stunning St James’ by snatching the lead.

From the wreckage of a corner, the excellent Graham Dorrans kept up the pressure, turning away from Danny Simpson, looking up and lifting in a curling cross towards the near post. Jonas Olsson, the giant Swedish centre-half, had remained in the area, suddenly enjoying a yard of space as his marker, Shola Ameobi, thought the danger had ebbed. As Dorrans’ ball swerved in, Olsson met it with the most elegant of touches, sweeping it first time past Steve Harper. And so began a terrific match.

As the 800 hardy travellers from the West Midlands celebrated up in the Gods, Olsson sprinted off in search of a television camera, holding out his shirt which displayed details of how to donate to the Haiti earthquake appeal – a nice touch by West Brom and their players.

Having shown their silky side, West Brom then demonstrated an excessive physical streak, committing a succession of fouls around the box. Gabriel Tamas caught Ameobi, who was then upended by Youssouf Mulumbu, gifting Newcastle a free-kick 25 yards out.

Jonás Gutiérrez stood in front of the ball, masking the hosts’ intentions. As Guthrie ran in, Kevin Nolan broke away from the end of the wall, engineering a glimpse of goal. Guthrie’s aim was true, the ball speeding into the net before Scott Carson could move.

With Gallowgate now at full throttle, and Ameobi’s movement troubling West Brom’s centre-halves, Di Matteo’s men could have folded. They fought back, sticking to their passing principles, their football flowing in waves to the forward beacon that is Roman Bednar.

Chris Brunt and the right-sided flier, Jerome Thomas, kept testing Newcastle down the flanks while Dorrans, who is too good for this level, broke constantly through the middle. Brunt almost restored West Brom’s lead with a free-kick that bent just wide of Harper’s right-hand upright.

Newcastle regained their composure, although how Gutiérrez escaped a caution for a dive in the area was a complete mystery, yet West Brom finished the half at a canter. Only the sharp reflexes of Harper prevented Thomas and Tamas from scoring.

A minute after the re-start, Harper had no chance when West Brom came calling. Again Dorrans was the catalyst, the Scot running deep down the inside-left channel before lifting the ball in to Bednar, who had stolen a yard on the dozing Fabricio Coloccini. Harper somehow repelled the Czech’s header but could do nothing and Bednar swept in the rebound.

Newcastle responded well, delighting the vast majority of the 39,291 crowd with another equaliser. When Gutiérrez laid the ball back, José Enrique delivered a cross towards Lovenkrands. The Dane met the ball well enough but it seemed to lack sufficient power. Carson reacted too slowly, allowing the ball to float into the net. Engulfed by emotion, Lovenkrands pointed to the heavens in tribute to his father who passed away last Friday.

Match details

Newcastle United (4-4-2): Harper; Simpson (R Taylor 85), S Taylor, Coloccini, Jose Enrique; Guthrie, Nolan, Smith, Gutierrez; Lovenkrands, Ameobi (Carroll 78 ).
Subs: Krul (g), Pancrate, Butt, Kadar, Ranger.
West Bromwich Albion (4-1-4-1): Carson; Jara, Tamas, Olsson, Cech; Mulumbu; Brunt, Dorrans, Koren, Thomas; Bednar (Miller 63).
Subs: Kiely (g), Mattock, Moore, Teixeira, Zuiverloon, Cox.
Booked: Olsson, Tamas, Jara, Bednar, Dorrans.
Referee: P Taylor (Hertfordshire).

Swansea City 1 Leicester City 0

The Championship game between Swansea City and Leicester City at the Swansea City on Sunday Jan 17, 2009.

When Roberto Martínez left Swansea for Wigan in the summer, few would have imagined that the side he left behind would be vying for a place in the Premier League.

Yet they are sitting in fourth place in the Championship after their first win over promotion rivals Leicester in the League since March 1956. That statistic alone would surprise many but not as much as Swansea's goal scoring record.

Paulo Sousa's side may be in their lofty position, their highest since the glory years under John Toshack, but they have found the net only 22 times in 25 games.

They regularly play with a lone striker, even at home, and that has meant a goal difference of only plus three but they can take heart from Bristol City who were just one game away from the top flight two seasons ago with a goal difference of only one.

"We are now a tough to beat and we have become a side to command respect in this League," said Sousa. "I am very proud to work with these players. We are getting better as the season progresses."

They might not pepper the goal with efforts but Swansea are difficult to break down. This was their 13th clean sheet of the season and they did get the one goal that mattered on the half hour.

Darren Pratley slid the ball through to Nathan Dyer in the inside right channel and he just kept the ball in play before turning it from right on the by-line into the path of loan striker Gorka Pintado who scored for the first time this season from eight yards. Twice before this season Swansea had squandered leads against Leicester but the visitors' direct approach, the complete opposite to Swansea, created little.

"Swansea pass the ball well and we couldn't retain possession ourselves," was Nigel Pearson's assessment.

Nottingham Forest 2 Reading 1

The Championship game between Nottingham Forest and Reading at the City Ground on Saturday Jan 16 2009.

It is back to business as usual for Nottingham Forest who banished the memories of this week’s FA Cup exit to bring Reading crashing back down to earth and ensure their unbeaten run in the Championship continues.

Stretching back to mid-September, Forest’s tally now stands at 18 games without a loss in the league and with leaders Newcastle United set to play third placed West Bromwich Albion on Monday night, Billy Davies’ men are firmly in second place — two points behind the Toon army.

This latest victory must be heavily credited to their English goalkeeper, Lee Camp who repelled a second-half Brian Howard penalty – following former Royal Nicky Shorey’s dismissal for hauling down Jimmy Kébé – plus a duo of instinctive saves from debutant Gunnar Thorvaldsson.

“We had two or three chances to go four or five up in the first half,” said Davies. “Our play was excellent in the first half and the game should have been over in 45 minutes.

“It is very much like other games here like against Birmingham — it is a big big lesson and it was a big test after half time. 2-0 scorelines are always tricky especially against a side that’s boosted by a win over Liverpool and that in my mind is in a false position.

“There aren’t many better English keepers than Lee Camp — it is a pity he is playing for a wee club like Forest, if he was playing for a bigger club it might be different. Someone should be monitoring him.”

Camp’s hat-trick of saves flattered Reading who, despite their famous midweek victory against Liverpool, seemed lost against Championship opposition and by the time Shorey was given his marching orders, Paul Anderson and Robert Earnshaw had already given Forest a two-goal cushion.

Chris Cohen latched onto a flick and broke down the right flank, bearing down on Adam Federici in the Royals net and whilst most would have struck for glory, the winger calmly squared to Anderson who lofted into the empty net.

Federici then palmed away a stinging volley from Earnshaw but the striker was back before the interval to bag his eighth of the campaign. Camp took charge after the interval, blocking from the spot and denying Icelandic Thorvaldsson twice in two minutes.

Eventually the visitors broke through to spoil Camp’s clean sheet but despite Kebe’s injury time effort, Reading are left peering into the relegation zone, just one point outside the drop.

Blackpool 2 Queens Park Rangers 2

The Championship game between Blackpool and Queens Park Rangers at Bloomfield Road on Saturday Jan 16 2009.

A trip to a Blackpool in mid-winter shorn of its kitsch, brassy glitz is an unwelcome one at the best of times. For Queens Park Rangers it was probably the last place they wanted to embark for given the latest depressing upheavals at the West London club.

With the news of manager Paul Hart’s resignation still resonating around Loftus Road, the sixth casualty in chairman Flavio Briatori’s highly-toxic two and a half year reign, Rangers set out for the long journey north in search of a much-needed win.

Caretaker manager Mick Harford was charged with the task of finding it, a result Rangers have only managed to achieve once in their last ten games in all competitions. He failed, but a spectacular long-range volley from left-back Matthew Connolly sent his side and the delirious Rangers fans home celebrating as surely as if they had secured a victory.

Blackpool have been in rude health, consistently in and around the play-off positions. Indeed, it is ironic that the manager who welcomed Rangers to Bloomfield Road is Ian Holloway, the first managerial casualty of the Briatori era who departed after five years at the helm.

Rangers had not kept a clean sheet in thirteen matches and it only took Blackpool nine minutes to extend that unwanted statistic, Charlie Adams stealing in unmarked at the far post to convert Brett Ormerod’s cross for his tenth goal of the season.

Blackpool, through Adams and David Vaughan, looked in complete control for most of the half and created further opportunities to extend their lead.

Rangers’ forays were sporadic. Jay Taraabt offered a genuine threat with his pace and he nearly struck just after the half hour with a wonderful moment of individual trickery.

Holloway would have been disappointed with a one goal return for his side’s dominance, but he was livid when they conceded a penalty in the 53rd minute following a Neil Eardley handball. It was converted with aplomb by Taarabt.

The game evened out into a thoroughly entertaining encounter, Blackpool pressing for the advantage and Rangers seeking to strike on the break through Taarabt and Wayne Routledge.

In the 76th Gary Taylor-Fletcher restored the home side’s lead deflecting home Keith Southern’s low shot.

It was a cruel blow to Rangers, but they got their just rewards eight minutes later when Connolly’s pile-driver into the top left-hand corner secured Harford a fully-deserved point.

Sheffield United 1 Middlesbrough 0

The Championship game between Sheffield United and Middlesbrough at Bramall Lane on Saturday Jan 16 2009.

Richard Cresswell propelled Sheffield United into the Championship play-offs as Middlesbrough's promotion hopes continued to fade at Bramall Lane.

The former Sheffield Wednesday striker's fifth goal since he left Stoke City enabled his team to climb above Leicester and Blackpool into sixth place in the Championship table while Boro's slide under Gordon Strachan continued.

Creswell ensured his club's upward mobility with Kevin Blackwell's side now having lost just once in 12 matches while Boro have won just three times since Strachan took the reins last October.

It was in an attempt to invigorate his team that Strachan handed debuts to his former Celtic charges Chris Killen, Barry Robson and Willo Flood but it was a case of same old, same old for Boro who have all the hallmarks of a nearly team.

The new-look Boro, looking for their club's first win here since 1987, may have shaded the first half but lack bite in attack and Robson, Isaiah Osbourne and Chris Riggott all had chances but Blades goalkeeper Mark Bunn foiled them all without undue anxiety.

Despite spending most of time on the front foot thanks to the sprightly Jeremie Aliadiere, the visitors endured the opening half's most nervous moment when referee Andy D'Urso failed to punish Barry Robson when he handled Richard Cresswell's cross inside his own penalty box.

Perhaps motivated by a sense of injustice following a series of decisions that went Boro's way, Blackwell's side raised their game after the break and took the lead in the 56th minute.

Cresswell was given the chance to break the deadlock when left-back Andy Taylor crossed and the forward bravely shrugged off David Wheater's challenge to apply the finishing touch with his head five yards from goal.

Back came Boro and Aliadiere had a decent claim for a penalty dismissed by D'Urso following Marcel Seip's clumsy challenge and then Robson wasted a chance to equalise.

After riding their luck, the hosts started to dominate again and should have doubled their lead ten minutes later when Ched Evans teed up James Harper following Taylor's cross but the former Reading player was unable keep his close-range volley on target.

Substitute Henri Camara almost put clear water between the sides late on but his low shot struck the inside of Danny Coyne's left-hand post and rebounded into the goalkeeper's arms but United ran out comfortable victors.

Match details

Sheffield United (4-4-2): Bunn; Walker, Morgan, Seip, Taylor; Williamson (Ward 70), Montgomery, Harper, Quinn; Evans (Camara 70), Cresswell (Henderson 89).
Subs: Bennett (g), Stewart, Geary, Fortune
Booked: Cresswell, Quinn, Williamson
Middlesbrough (4-4-2): Coyne; McMahon, Riggott, Wheater, Hoyte; Robson, Osbourne, O'Neil, Flood (Franks 75); Aliadiere (Johnson 63), Killen.
Subs: Steele (g), Bent, Arca, Bennett, Williams.
Booked: Robson, O'Neil
Referee: A D'Urso (Essex).

Leicester City 1 Ipswich Town 1

The Championship game between Leicester City and Ipswich Town from the Walkers Stadium on Sunday Jan 10 2009.

Ipswich caught Leicester City cold with a goal after only 20 seconds but Nigel Pearson's side recovered from the early setback to earn a Coca-Cola Championship point on a bitterly cold afternoon at the Walkers Stadium.

The visitors did not take long to warm up. Jonathan Walters won the ball in midfield and set Jack Colback free down the left side.

His low cross looked to have been turned in at the near post by David Norris but television replays showed that Ryan McGivern got the last touch and the on-loan Manchester City full-back was credited with an own goal.

It was the fourth successive match that Ipswich had opened the scoring within five minutes.

Leicester had scored in their last 11 games so Roy Keane's side faced a tough task to hold on to their lead.

After Robbie Neilson and Richie Wellens had sent shots wide, only a goalline clearance by Grant Leadbitter denied Steve Howard an equalising goal just after the half-hour mark.

But Ipswich were still a threat and Chris Weale was called into action to tip efforts from Walters and former Fox Gareth McAuley over the crossbar.

However, Leicester were level after 38 minutes and it was a bad goal to concede from Ipswich's point of view.

Lloyd Dyer cut inside from the right-hand side, Keane's side had a couple of opportunities to clear the ball but it eventually broke to Howard just inside the 18-yard box and the burly striker beat Arran Lee-Barrett with a low shot into the corner.

Barrett got away with fumbling a headed effort from Matty Fryatt early in the second half before Walters headed wide at the other end just before the hour mark.

There had been a fiery undercurrent to the game and it threatened to boil over following a tangle between Norris and Fryatt in the centre circle.

It sparked a melee involving players from both sides but referee Mark Haywood opted to keep his cards in his pocket after consulting his assistant.

Soon afterwards, Leicester's leading scorer Fryatt was then denied his 13th goal of the season by a superb save from Barrett.

Leadbitter had the final chance of the game but his shot from the edge of the area cleared the crossbar.

The Foxes remain in fifth place in the Championship while Ipswich's resurgence continues - they have lost only once in the league in 13 matches - but they stay in 18th position.

Coventry City 3 Barnsley 1

The Championship game between Coventry City and Barnsley at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday Jan 9 2009.

With the Ricoh Arena pitch still buried under two inches of fresh and unforeseen snowfall hours before kick-off, there was a touch of sympathy and logic in Chris Coleman’s pre-match call for the implementation of a winter break.

Speaking in his programme notes, the Coventry City manager was adamant that the big freeze currently crippling football nationwide is proof that a two-week pause is necessary. Ironic then, that a break this term would have seen his side miss out on their third consecutive home win.

As one of just three Championship fixtures to survive the snow, table positions will need to be taken with a pinch of salt, but the Sky Blues appear in fine form – however, Coleman was in no mood to dwell on success.

“That’s the worst we have played for six weeks,” he said. “We are not playing well and we have got to improve. Defensively today we were very poor and individually not very good. We have played a lot better than that and lost. But credit to them, they dug it out.”

Coventry opened with trepidation and uncertainty fitting a pitch still laden with snow, but slowly they thawed and Stephen Wright’s overlap and subsequent cross found Freddy Eastwood who headed the opener.

Sammy Clingan then announced his return to the league after a long-term injury in style with a lashed – albeit marginally deflected – volley minutes later. His return was then reinforced with a convincing double debut cameo from Gary Deegan and Carl Baker who arrived from Bohemians and Stockport County respectively.

Despite a marked improvement and a John Macken header after the break for Barnsley, Coventry substitute Clinton Morrison delivered the killer blow in added time.

Cardiff City 1 Blackpool 1

The Championship game between Cardiff City and Blackpool at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday Jan 9 2009.

Despite lying fourth in the table, and having defied the spectre of the taxman and a virus outbreak to turn in a solid performance, Cardiff City were booed off by their own fans at full-time on Saturday.

Perhaps it was the almost diabolical chill in the air, perhaps a delayed hangover from Cardiff’s last outing, when they surrendered a four-goal lead to Peterborough. But chastisements have rarely been so baffling.

Activities on the field have threatened to take a back seat to those off it of late, with a second winding-up order issued during the week and illness depriving manager Dave Jones of Jay Bothroyd on the morning of the game.

But Cardiff started confidently and were by far the more imaginative of the two sides going forward.

Blackpool, by contrast, rarely looked secure in the final third, and were in conspicuous disarray when Peter Whittingham floated over a free kick from the right-hand side. The presence of Mark Hudson at the far post had not been noted by anyone in a white shirt, and he nodded in his second goal of the season.

In fact, the home side could have been out of sight within half an hour, Josh Magennis’s header striking the underside of the crossbar and Ross McCormack unlucky with a deft lob over Paul Rachubka.

But they were as flat-footed at the back as they were fleet-footed going forward, and within 30 seconds of the restart, their old frailties were brutally exposed as Blackpool were allowed almost to walk the ball into the net.

Charlie Adam played a one-two with Ben Burgess and fired home left-footed with Cardiff’s back-four seemingly in a perfect state of restfulness.

Blackpool dominated the second half without further reward as the voices of disgruntlement took on a distinctly Welsh lilt. When Jones substituted the popular, but ill, McCormack, he was derided with cries of “You don’t know what you’re doing”. Both managers condemned the reaction of the home support.

“Considering everything that’s been going on, the players have gone out and tried their best,” Jones said. “As a fan, you’ve paid you money and you’re entitled to do what you want. But it never spurs you on. In fact, it spurs the opposition on.”

“I’m absolutely gobsmacked,” said Blackpool manager Ian Holloway. “Their job is to support, and they’re disrespecting my team when they boo like that. I started to take it a bit personally. It’s like putting a rusty bucket down my well.”

West Bromwich Albion 1 Nottingham Forest 3

The Championship game between West Bromwich Albion and Nottingham Forest at The Hawthorns on Friday Dec 8 2009.

It is always dangerous to make assumptions based on one match viewed in microcosm, but on this evidence it will be Nottingham Forest who will automatically join the top tier next season, not West Bromwich Albion

Billy Davies’ side, undefeated away this season, extended their unbeaten run of games to 18 thanks to the marksmanship of Dexter Blackstock, Radoslaw Majewski and Chris Cohen, taking them to second place in the league in the process.

West Brom have tried to summon something of a mean streak this season, which is probably why the intimidating sound of Carmina Burana floods the Hawthorns before their game, but Forest were harder on the field, with David Kelly taking the contest off of it, the Forest assistant manager stalking his way around the snow-fringed technical area in shorts.

The diminutive Davies, more suitably dressed in a grey jumper, white shirt and red tie, rather resembles a naughty schoolboy, but he has clearly tutored his players like a school master does his students.

Each of them knew their precise roles, building thoughtfully when in possession and closing their opponents down immediately when without, with the effect that West Brom looked hurried and harried.

Forest, by contrast, were composed as they sought to build from the back. Lee Camp likes to distribute from hand rather than with boot, using his full-backs to get things going, especially Nicky Shorey on the left.

It was on this flank that Dexter Blackstock found himself in the 18th minute, grappling with Jonas Olsson and winning a corner. The cross came in from Majewski, and Blackstock slid in, Gabriel Tamas attached to him in the manner in which a baby chimpanzee clings to its mother. As he fell under the weight, Blackstock calmly swept the ball left footed into the net.

Roberto Di Matteo, until now leaning forward in his seat in the stands, was by this stage standing, mirroring his side’s anxiety as Scott Carson, making his first league appearance since he used his head on Michael Chopra of Cardiff in December, cleared straight to Majewski before Tamas – having the sort of debut players have nightmares about – catching Paul Anderson’s jaw with his open palm.

The West Brom players scurried down the tunnel at the break, Carson calling a huddle on their return. Quite why he did so, considering they had just had 15 minutes privacy in which to psych themselves up, is a mystery, and it didn’t work, for only seven minutes had elapsed when Guy Moussi found Chris Gunter who crossed for Majewski to volley in off the crossbar with his first touch –– exquisite timing.

Three minutes later Moussi, revelling in the role of midfield facilitator after a recent injury, supplied Cohen, who let loose before Olsson could intervene. The ball curved round Carson, and squeezed its way into the net of the post. Di Matteo, now in the technical area, looked on in despair.

Albion began a fightback of sorts, Roman Bednar getting them off the mark. But they had left it too late, and were punished for their tardiness by being nudged down to third place in the league. And on Forest’s form, one cannot see how Albion will climb back up.

Match details

West Brom (4-4-2): Carson; Zuiverloon, Olsson, Tamas, Mattock (Koren, 65); Brunt, Dorrans,
Jara, Thomas; Cox (Miller, 77), Moore (Bednar, 46).
Subs: Kiely, Cech, Mulumbu, Martis.
Booked: Tamas
Goal: Bednar, 65
Nottingham Forest (4-4-1-1): Camp; Gunter, Morgan, Wilson, Shorey; Cohen, McKenna, Moussi (Tyson, 60), Anderson; Majewski (Perch, 78); Blackstock (Adebola, 75).
Subs: Smith, Chambers, McGugan, McGoldrick.
Booked: McKenna, Blackstock
Goals: Blackstock, 18; Majewski, 53; Cohen, 56.
Referee: Lee Probert (Wiltshire).

Newcastle United 0 Derby County 0

The Championship game between Newcastle United and Derby County at St James' Park on Monday Dec 28 2009.

Newcastle United manager Chris Hughton is desperate to sign Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford and on Monday night the club’s hierarchy saw exactly why as the Championship pacesetters’ promotion campaign stalled.

Hughton, who is also looking to buy a centre-half, is banking on club owner Mike Ashley to tempt Leeds chairman Ken Bates with a £1.5 million bid for Beckford to bolster his attacking options after his team spurned a hatful of chances against lowly Derby.

With Marlon Harewood now back at Aston Villa following a loan spell, Newcastle lacked the cutting edge to see off Derby which means their lead at the top of the table has shrunk from 10 points to six over the festive period.

It was the first time since October that Newcastle had failed to score but Ryan Taylor would have been forgiven for thinking he had put his team ahead in spectacular fashion early on only to see his 25-yard free-kick cannon off Stephen Bywater’s crossbar.

Taylor should have scored minutes later when he was sent through by Jonas Gutierrez but Bywater saved with his feet.

Nigel Clough’s side threatened on the counter-attack, though, and DJ Campbell shot straight at Steve Harper. That proved to be a rare excursion out of their own half for Derby.

Steven Taylor went close after half-time but headed Carroll’s inviting cross straight at Bywater as Newcastle players and supporters – including the watching Alan Shearer – became increasingly anxious.

In a frenzied finale, Nile Ranger should have secured his team all the points in the 88th minute but Bywater pushed his effort on to the bar.

Jay McEveley was sent off in stoppage time for a second bookable offence when he brought down Gutierrez on a frustrating night for Tyneside.

Match details

Newcastle United (4-4-2): Harper; Simpson, S Taylor, Coloccini, Enrique; R Taylor (Pancrate 70), Nolan, Smith, Gutierrez; Lovenkrands (Ranger 78), Carroll (Ameobi 65).
Subs: Krul (g), Guthrie, Butt, Kadar.
Derby County (4-4-2): Bywater; Connolly, Addison, Buxton, McEveley; Green, Savage, Pearson, Hendrie (Commons 68); Hulse, Campbell (Livermore 90).
Subs: Deeney (g), Croft, Teale, Pringle, Dickov.
Booked: McEveley, Hulse, Savage.
Sent off: McEveley.
Referee: K Wright (Cambridgeshire).

Peterborough United 4 Cardiff City 4

The Championship game between Peterborough United and Cardiff City at London Road on Monday Dec 28 2009.

Cardiff City are racked by memories of last season’s collapse as they pursued promotion to the Premier League and they endured another dramatic capitulation when Peterborough United swept to the most thrilling of recoveries.

The hosts, besieged by the prospect of relegation, surrendered in the first half and trailed by four goals, yet unadulterated spirit prompted a memorable renaissance.

“Never in all my career have I been involved in anything like that, not even kids’ football,” a shell-shocked Cardiff manager Dave Jones said. “Players switched off, going from a dominant position, thinking it was done and dusted.”

It was one of the greatest comebacks in English football since Charlton recovered from 5-1 down to beat Huddersfield 7-6 in 1957.

The scoreline at the break suggested Cardiff had performed on an elevated level but they were clinical opportunists rather than classy orchestrators of their opponents’ downfall.

The hosts were opened up at will in the first half. Joe Ledley scored twice, the first when Peter Whittingham found him unmarked to steer the ball in.

He netted another, leaping unchallenged to nod in Whittingham’s corner. Ledley had not scored in 21 appearances but had two goals in 23 minutes.

Cardiff systematically threatened. Jay Bothroyd eased past the cumbersome Exodus Geohaghon and beat Joe Lewis with a rasping shot.

The contest appeared wrapped up when Charlie Lee was penalised for fouling Bothroyd and Whittingham’s free-kick hit the net via a post.

Boos reverberated around London Road at half-time as Peterborough’s players slunk from the pitch. If they only knew what was to follow.

“It was totally unacceptable, Peterborough manager Mark Cooper said. “In the first half we didn’t do anything. I didn’t say anything to the players at half-time. I told them to get on with it.” And get on with it, they did.

Craig Mackail-Smith found Josh Simpson who netted. Then George Boyd chipped for Lee to head in as the crowd sensed the impossible dream might be on. After a goalmouth scramble Boyd found the top corner and Peterborough smelled blood.

In stoppage time, Lee’s throw located Simpson who slammed in the loose ball.

For Cardiff, winless at London Road since 1986, it was a nightmare ending.

Match details

Peterborough United (4-4-2): Lewis (McKeown 62); Whelpdale, Morgan, Geohaghon (Simpson 46), Griffiths; Batt, Coutts, Lee, Boyd; Mackail-Smith, McLean (Frecklington 46).
Subs: Rowe, Diagouraga, Green, Koranteng.
Booked: Batt.
Cardiff City (4-4-1-1): Marshall; Matthews, Hudson, Gerrard, McNaughton (Quinn 46); Burke, Rae, Ledley, Whittingham; Bothroyd (Etuhu 77); McCormack (Chopra 70).
Subs: Gyepes, Taiwo, Enckelman, Wildig.
Booked: Quinn.
Referee: D Whitestone (Northamptonshire).