Page 7 of 12 · Championship
The PinkWEDNESDAY, 4 NOVEMBER 2026Championship · Page 7

Championship 2 of 2

HAWTHORNS HELTER-SKELTER

EDOZIE REPLY KEEPS SAINTS LEVEL

West Brom 1, Southampton 1. West Brom: Isaac Price 22 pen; Southampton: Samuel Edozie 53. Price penalty rewards Albion's first-half dominance but Southampton hit back in an end-to-end top-six clash

Fourth met fifth at The Hawthorns and neither would give an inch. Isaac Price's first-half penalty put West Brom ahead, Samuel Edozie levelled after the break, and an end-to-end finish could have gone either way before it finished 1-1.

James Morrison's side were completely dominant before half-time, BBC Sport reported, but had only Price's 22nd-minute spot-kick to show for it.

Tonda Eckert's Southampton were much improved after the interval and struck back eight minutes into the second half, Edozie slamming home from close range. Eckert himself was booked for dissent soon after.

From there it was open. Aune Heggebø, on as a substitute, drifted across the near post and steered towards goal from about four yards out, but Daniel Peretz got down to save. Lewis Dobbin went clean through for Saints at the other end and was denied by Max O'Leary.

Tom Fellows, who came through the Albion academy, came on against his old club to a polite round of applause from the home support and had a late effort blocked on the edge of the area. Albion nearly nicked it on the break: Ousmane Diakité drove the length of the pitch and teed up substitute Tammer Bany, whose shot clipped the outside of the post.

The draw leaves both sides in the play-off places. Albion, who won 3-1 at West Ham on Saturday, move to fifth on 25 points, with Southampton sixth on 24 after their four-point deduction.

"I think it was a fair result. I think it was two very good teams going at it," West Brom boss James Morrison told Sky Sports. "We were so dominant in the first half, especially doing that to the opposition, I don't think anyone's done that to them and the lads can be proud of that performance." He added: "But credit to Southampton, they came back and showed their class."

Southampton boss Tonda Eckert, also speaking to Sky Sports, felt his side had been too cautious early on. "I think we gave them too much respect in the first half for the quality they have on the ball and then changed at half-time and boys showed what they're about," he said. "We'll take the point and move on."

Price, who sent his penalty into the top corner, explained his choice: "The keeper told me I missed my last one to the left so I thought I'd put it to the right." Albion midfielder Jayson Molumby added: "Conceding early gave them momentum so we're disappointed with that."

Where it leaves them: West Brom 5th on 25 points; Southampton 6th on 24 points. West Brom sit fifth on 25 points and Southampton sixth on 24 after their four-point deduction

“I think it was a fair result. I think it was two very good teams going at it,”
EDOZIE REPLY KEEPS SAINTS LEVEL

CHAMPIONSHIP

VARANE KEEPS CELESTINI WAITING

QPR 1, Burnley 1. QPR: Jonathan Varane 65; Burnley: Largie Ramazani 38. Rangers hit back after Ramazani strike as Burnley's wait for a second win goes on

Fabio Celestini's first away game in charge of Burnley ended with a point at Loftus Road, but not the win the Clarets crave.

Largie Ramazani put Burnley ahead on 38 minutes, finishing after Jamie Vardy's assist, and the visitors led at the break.

QPR, stung by Saturday's 4-1 defeat at Southampton, came again. Jonathan Varane equalised on 65 minutes from Idris Chair's assist, his side-footed effort from the edge of the box squirming under goalkeeper Gregoire Coudert, and neither side could find a winner.

Celestini named an unchanged side after Saturday's goalless draw with Portsmouth. A second straight draw leaves Burnley on 10 points, still hunting only their second victory of the season.

"I am frustrated with the result but not the performance," QPR boss Julien Stephan told BBC Radio London. "We had enough to score a minimum one or two times in the first 20-25 minutes. Then we concede from their first shot of the game." He added: "It's probably the difference between the top teams able to be at the top of the table, in a game like this they are able to score three or four times and us today, we are good mid-table because of a lack of efficiency."

"It was a tough game," said Burnley head coach Fabio Celestini. "Very good spirit, solidarity between the players, energy, fighting in the box many times. If today we don't have that, I think we lose." He would not blame Coudert: "Football is a mistake. Without mistakes, you don't have goals."

Where it leaves them: QPR 11th on 21 points; Burnley 22nd on 10 points.

VALLEY GLOOM

DALBY STRIKE SINKS ADDICKS

Charlton 0, Bolton 1. Bolton: Sam Dalby 18. Bolton's early goal is enough at The Valley as Charlton slip to a fourth straight defeat

Sam Dalby's 18th-minute strike was the only thing to separate two struggling sides at The Valley, and it sends Bolton home with three precious points.

The forward drove a low left-footed shot from 21 yards into the bottom corner, and Charlton never found the answer. The hosts had slightly more of the ball and two efforts on target, but chances were scarce at both ends.

It ends a run of two defeats for Bolton, who had shipped eight goals against Bristol City and Middlesbrough, and lifts them to 16th on 17 points. For Charlton it is a fourth defeat in a row and 11 matches without a win since August, and they sit 21st on 14 points.

"We had no problem all night and then gifted them a goal," Charlton manager Nathan Jones told BBC Radio London. "Then we just didn't demonstrate enough quality in the final third, with the amount of opportunities we've had to cross it, to put it in areas, corners and free kicks." He added: "We aren't doing the out-of-possession stuff well enough because we are gifting goals."

Where it leaves them: Charlton 21st on 14 points; Bolton 16th on 17 points. Bolton climb to 16th on 17 points; Charlton sit 21st on 14

CHAMPIONSHIP

MAVIDIDI ENDS HORNETS' SLIDE

Watford 1, Lincoln 0. Watford: Stephy Mavididi 46. Fast start to the second half settles it at Vicarage Road

Watford finally had something to cheer. Stephy Mavididi scored within a minute of the restart, turning in Myron Boadu's assist, and that was enough to beat Lincoln City at Vicarage Road.

An even first half ended goalless, with Mavididi the liveliest threat. After the goal Ben House, Mavididi and Kevin Keben were all booked as the temperature rose, but Lincoln could not find a way back.

It is a welcome win for Watford after defeats at Wolves and Norwich, and it lifts them to 14 points, one behind the Imps.

"It's a good night for everyone. For our supporters, because I am happy for them. I'm happy for my team. It is one match, but it will be important," Watford boss Alessio Dionisi told BBC Three Counties Radio. On his match-winner he said: "Now I'm happy for him - Stephy was unhappy that he wasn't getting enough minutes - like every player, he wants to play."

Lincoln felt the goal should never have stood. "We're gutted and feel a little bit hard done-by," said joint head coach Tom Shaw. "It's a real tough one to take because it was our throw-in - people can get that wrong, I get that - but it's been taken before it was awarded either way." He told BBC Radio Lincolnshire: "Some nights it'll click, some days like [against] Burnley it will be beautiful. Some days not quite as good."

Where it leaves them: Watford 20th on 14 points; Lincoln 17th on 15 points.

A mockup of the printed edition. Every word set here comes from the night's reports, results and tables.