Football League – Southampton stutter following Alan Pardew’s exit
Life without Alan Pardew continues to look bleak for Southampton as they slumped to their second home defeat in a week, and their third consecutive loss.
Rochdale were the beneficiaries on Saturday, cruising to a 2-0 victory at a disgruntled St Mary’s. Goals from Chris O'Grady and Gary Jones gave the newly promoted visitors their second League win of the season against the pre-season favourites for the
League One title.
Saints’ caretaker manager Dean Wilkins, who took over following Pardew’s dismissal last week, looks to be out of the running for the full-time post, and if reports are to be believed either Scunthorpe manager Nigel Adkins or young Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe are in line to take over the troubled south-coast club.
Howe’s current side continued to shine on their return to League One as they got a valuable point away at Huddersfield. In form striker Josh McQuoid put the visitors ahead early on with a wonderful curling effort - his fourth of the season - but Antony Kay replied for Huddersfield with a towering header just before half-time. Gary Roberts put Lee Clark’s side ahead early in the second, but Marc Pugh rescued a point for the Cherries when his header was turned in from Harry Arter's cross.
Sheffield Wednesday remain top of the league despite slipping to a surprising 1-0 defeat against Brentford at Griffin Park, Charlie MacDonald grabbed the only goal of what was a scrappy game that never suited the usual fluent style of Wednesday.
For the first time in eleven games Charlton failed to hit the back of the net as Exeter stole all the points thanks to a Ryan Harley penalty with the last kick of the game. Veteran striker Jamie Cureton won the spot-kick as he drew a clumsy challenge from Miguel Liera, and Harley confidently stroked the ball into the top corner to give the home side their first win of the season.
Colchester are now unbeaten in five league games and look like a promotion charge could be well within their grasps as they beat Walsall 1-0 at the Bescott Stadium. Andy Bond was given the freedom of the Walsall penalty area and headed a cross from Brian Wilson into the net with seven minutes remaining to take all three points, and lift them to fifth.
Tags: