Championship roundup: Free-scoring Fulham boost promotion bid

London, Jan 22, 2022 (AFP) - Free-scoring Fulham bolstered their bid for promotion to the Premier League as the Championship leaders battled to a 3-2 win at Stoke on Saturday.

Marco Silva's side were rocked in the first minute when D'Margio Wright-Phillips -- the son of former Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips -- scored his first senior goal for Stoke.

Fulham's Rodrigo Muniz equalised in the second minute and Fabio Carvalho's eighth goal of the season put the visitors ahead on 33 minutes.

Stoke's Lewis Baker levelled with a debut 58th-minute goal following his free transfer from Chelsea.

But Bobby Decordova-Reid smashed home to secure Fulham's fourth straight win.

Fulham have now scored 22 goals in their last four games, opening up an eight-point lead over second-placed Bournemouth.

Bournemouth's challenge was damaged by a surprise 1-0 home defeat against Hull.

Ryan Longman curled home the winner 13 minutes from time to steer the Tigers away from relegation danger.

Nottingham Forest ended troubled Derby's five-game unbeaten run with a 2-1 win over Wayne Rooney's side.

Second-half goals from Lewis Grabban and Brennan Johnson put Forest two up against their bitter rivals at the City Ground.

Tom Lawrence netted from the penalty spot in the 87th minute to reduce the deficit and Derby substitute Ravel Morrison was sent off in stoppage-time for a high challenge on Philip Zinckernagel.

It was another bitter blow for second-bottom Derby, who reportedly could face liquidation if the club's administrators are unable to find the money to keep them afloat in the next few weeks.

The Rams have already been deducted 21 points this season for their financial woes.

Albert Adomah struck late on as fourth-placed QPR won 2-1 at Coventry.

West Brom remain fifth as their late show accounted for Peterborough 3-0 at The Hawthorns.

Danny Ward scored a hat-trick as Huddersfield won 4-3 at Reading.

Chris Martin bagged a brace as Bristol City came from behind to beat Cardiff 3-2 in the Severnside derby.

Birmingham claimed a first win since the end of November with a 2-1 home victory over Barnsley, while Blackpool won 1-0 against Millwall.

Sheffield United beat 10-man Luton 2-0 at Bramall Lane, while Ryan Manning's thunderbolt saw Swansea defeat Preston 1-0.