Cardiff go top, Leeds surge

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Cardiff City moved top of the Championship with a 4-2 win away to Scunthorpe on Saturday, after Queens Park Rangers could only draw.

Two goals in the opening 10 minutes from Jay Bothroyd and Michael Chopra gave visitors Cardiff an early lead at Glanford Park, before Bothroyd's second in the 34th minute looked to have put the match out of reach.

Kevin McDonald pulled one back for Scunthorpe shortly before the half-time whistle, and a second from Dany N'Guessan threatened to herald a comeback from the hosts, before a Seyl Olofinjana strike 11 minutes from re-established Cardiff's two-goal buffer.

Dave Jones' side are now top by one point from QPR, who were held to a 0-0 draw away to Nottingham Forest.

Derby County missed the chance to go third after their run of three wins in a row came to an end with a 2-0 defeat away to Leicester.

An Andy King strike 14 minutes in was just reward for the hosts' early dominance at the Walkers Stadium, before a second-half penalty from former Derby striker Steven Howard secured the victory.

Fifth-placed Leeds moved level on points with Derby after a 3-1 win at home to Bristol City, Luciano Becchio was a hat-trick hero for the hosts with three goals in the space of 17 minutes at Elland Road.

A Graham Alexander penalty 20 minutes from time helped Burnley edge Watford 3-2 at Turf Moor, while Doncaster Rovers won by the same scoreline away at Portsmouth's Fratton Park.

Crystal Palace gained three vital points with a 2-0 win at home to Coventry, they are now one point off the safety of 21st place, currently occupied by Middlesbrough, who play Swansea away on Sunday.

Sheffield United moved to within one point of Millwall after defeating their hosts 1-0 at the New Den, Barnsley also won away from home, dispatching Ipswich 3-1 at Portman Road.

Reading came from two goals down to snare a 3-3 draw at home to Norwich City in the late kick-off.

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