Eagles soar at the top, Cardiff stay in touch

Crystal Palace moved two points clear at the top of the Championship with a 3-0 victory over Derby on Saturday, while second placed Cardiff remain hot on their heels afer a 1-0 win against promotion rivals Middlesbrough.

Ian Holloway's Eagles are unbeaten in 14 matches and Derby never looked likely to end their fine run at Selhurst Park as two goals from Glenn Murray and an Andre Moritz strike sealed the points.

Derby gifted Murray a simple opener after 12 minutes when Yannick Bolasie swung in a corner and the in-form striker was left unmarked at the far post to head home.

Brazilian midfielder Moritz got the second in the 58th minute with a fine volley after Damien Delaney's cross was headed down by Murray.

Murray wrapped up the victory with a run and shot into the roof of the net with nine minutes left to claim his seventh goal in four games.

Meanwhile, Cardiff leapfrogged Middlesbrough into second place after a 1-0 home win.

Malky Mackay's team recorded a ninth consecutive victory at the Cardiff City Stadium thanks to defender Matthew Connolly's 19th minute header from Peter Whittingham's cross.

That was enough to hand third placed Middlesbrough their first defeat in nine league games.

Fourth placed Hull closed to within three points of the automatic promotion places after a 3-2 win at Birmingham which increased the pressure on beleaguered Blues boss Lee Clark.

Former Birmingham striker Sone Aluko scored twice in the first 26 minutes before James Chester's 33rd minute goal put Hull firmly on course for their first win at St Andrews since 1970.

Ravel Morrison got one back for the struggling hosts before half-time and Marlon King further reduced the deficit in the 46th minute, but Birmingham couldn't find an equaliser.

Leicester ended a run of four league matches without a win in spectacular style as Nigel Pearson's fifth placed team routed third bottom Ipswich 6-0 at the King Power Stadium.

David Nugent opened the scoring from the penalty spot after eight minutes and the striker doubled Leicester's lead with his second strike 10 minutes later.

Lloyd Dyer got on the scoresheet just before the half-hour mark and Anthony Knockaert netted two minutes before the break.

Martyn Waghorn scored another for the Foxes shortly after half-time and substitute Marko Futacs completed the scoring in the 82nd minute.

Brighton climbed into the last play-off spot as a Will Buckley double clinched a 2-1 win at Huddersfield.

Elsewhere, Charlton won 1-0 at 10-man Burnley, Watford defeated 10-man Wolves 2-1 and Nottingham Forest beat struggling Sheffield Wednesday 1-0.

Bolton drew 1-1 with Barnsley and Bristol City remain bottom after a 1-1 draw with Blackpool.