Graham lifts Rovers out of relegation zone

Substitute Danny Graham's 73rd minute winner lifts Blackburn Rovers out of the relegation zone and puts Derby County into the drop zone.

Derby applied a lot of the first half pressure with Ikechi Anya proving to be a handful for Blackburn's defence. Some good trickery by him got Blackburn skipper Jason Lowe booked for a late foul on him.

Blackburn missed a penalty in the first half after a foul on Marvin Emnes. The striker got on the end of a nice chip from Ben Marshall, Derby captain Richard Keogh bought the Dutch striker down in the box.

Marshall stepped up to the penalty, his effort cannoned off the post straight back to him. Despite keeper Scott Carson being left stranded, Marshall somehow put his second effort wide, a chance he definitely should have put away.

Derby took the lead after 69 minutes through Matej Vydra. A good pass from Anya put Vydra through on goal; his first time effort from 12 yards out got the Rams' their first goal at the iPro Stadium in the league this season.

The hosts’ lead lasted a matter of seconds as Emnes' continued his great run of form for Rovers getting his third league goal in his last three games. There was some great build up play by the visitors before Emnes' shot deflected into the bottom left corner.

The in-form Dutch striker then turned provider three minutes later, an inspirational Blackburn move got the ball to Emnes, he turned and slipped the ball through the Derby defence to substitute Graham who comfortably slotted away his chance from close range which effectively sealed three points for Blackburn and their second consecutive league win.

In his post-match press conference, Blackburn manager Own Coyle claimed that “We showed again that we are capable at coming from behind but we don’t want to be doing it every week”.

It was not as positive an afternoon for Derby County; their fourth consecutive home defeat  in all competitions leaves them 22^nd in the Championship having not won a league game since mid-August. 

Derby manager Nigel Pearson is now becoming under some serious pressure after picking up just six points in his first nine league games in charge of Derby.

After the game, Pearson claimed that “Bottom three is where we deserve to be so far this season” and that “We are a squad experiencing different types of problems”.

10-man Foxes throw away lead

Two Cesc Fabregas goals early in extra time helped Chelsea complete a dramatic 4-2 comeback to beat current Premiership holders Leicester City.

The foxes took the lead after 17 minutes. An Ahmed Musa cross was poorly cleared by Cesar Azpilicueta with the Spaniard chesting the ball straight to Japanese striker Shinji Okazaki who was quick to react to the loose ball and headed the ball just over the line.

Okazaki then got his second after 34 minutes again needing goal line technology to settle it. A great half volleyed pass by Andy King found the 30 year old striker whose miss-hit effort bounced over Asmir Begovic and just trickled over the line before Azpilicueta could clear it.

The Chelsea fightback kick started in first half stoppage time where a Cesc Fabregas corner picked out the unmarked Chelsea captain Gary Cahill at the back post and the skipper for the day comfortably headed it past Ron-Robert Zieler.

29,989 were in attendance at the King Power Stadium

A moment of sheer beauty in the 49th minute put Chelsea level. Ruben Loftus-Cheek's effort from the edge of the area was cleared by Danny Simpson straight to the feet of Azpilicueta who from 20 yards out smashed home a superb volley into the top corner of the net.

The hosts went down to 10 men just before the end of normal time after second half substitute Diego Costa was struck in the face by Marcin Wasilewski's arm. The Polish defender was already on a yellow card and his absence clearly had an lasting effect in extra time.

Two minutes into extra time the visitors showed their class to put them three two ahead. A clever one-two by Costa and fellow substitute Eden Hazard was completed by an audacious flick towards Cesc Fabregas who finished the move off scoring from 15 yards out.

The Spanish midfielder doubled his tally for the game and Chelsea's lead just two minutes later. A cross by Hazard that Zieler was unable to deal with rebounded out to Fabregas and with a thunderous half volley put his side side four two to the good.

The result sends Leicester out of the EFL Cup and Chelsea will be awaiting their fourth round opponents with the draw taking place on Wednesday evening. Chelsea manager Antonio Conte gave debuts to new signing Marcos Alonso and academy graduate Nathaniel Chalobah.

Saturday 17th September 2016: Birmingham City v Sheffield Wednesday

Birmingham City hosted Sheffield Wednesday in the 5:30 kick off on Saturday evening knowing that a win was crucial in order to apply pressure to the rest of the sides around the top of the Championship. The Blues went into the game sat in fifth position carrying a unbeaten streak in the league thus far, however their form at St Andrews was not quite up to scratch having only picked up four points from their previous three home games. The visitors away form was very poor having only picked up two points on their travels in three matches. The Owls were sat in 11th position at the start of the day and a win would help them put themselves close to the play off positions.

Birmingham manager Gary Rowett had made three changes from the side that shared a goalless draw away at Reading on Tuesday night. Clayton Donaldson started up front over new signing Lucas Jutkiewicz, Jacques Maghoma came in for David Cotterill and Robert Tesche made way for Stephen Gleeson in the middle of midfield.

Owls boss Carlos Carvalhal made a staggering five changes from the side that made a miraculous comeback to beat Bristol City 3-2 in midweek. Sam Hutchinson's red card in that game ruled him out through suspension and captain Glen Loovens' return to the side saw him start in Hutchinson's absence. Daniel Pudil's midweek injury made Adam Reach start as an emergency left back so Almen Abdi was bought into the starting line up. Liam Palmer, Fernando Forestieri and Ross Wallace were also bought into the starting line up.

16,876 people watched the game at St Andrews

Jonathan Spector's early cross gave the home crowd something to cheer about but the cross was caught very easily by Kieren Westwood.

Forestieri's return to the visiting line up was clearly an important one as he certainly looked lively in the early stages of the game. His shot from close range forced a good save out of Blues 'keeper Adam Legzdins after Steven Fletcher had put him through on goal.

Spector again put in a great run going forward for the hosts and he was close to being through on goal but some good defending by Reach prevented the chance from becoming serious.

A minute later Forestieri's counter attack helped shift the ball to Barry Bannan whose 25 yard attempted lob went just over the crossbar.

Abdi then came close for the visitors following some great build up play. Bannan's long ball was spread out to Palmer whose cross found Fletcher at the back post. His header back to Abdi was met by a poorly struck volley was blocked by Ryan Shotton.

Palmer put a very dangerous low driven ball across the box but none of the visiting forwards were able to get on the end of it.

Bannan's midfield contributions were very evident throughout the first half. his outside foot pass help set Reach down the left hand side, he manged to run pass Spector and delivered a great cross in for Abdi whose header went inches over the bar.

Some great link up play between Wednesday put Forestieri in a great scoring position before again having his shot blocked by Shotton.

Reach showed desire to get forward from left back and won a free kick in a dangerous area after a silky nutmeg on David Davis, however the set piece came to nothing.

Maghoma seemed to collide with Palmer's face, with referee Scott Duncan waving play on Maghoma nearly went through on goal but solid defending preventing the hosts from a rare good chance.

Maghoma got a taste of his own medicine minutes later after a clear foul on him was not awarded by Duncan much to the delight of the travelling fans.

Son of former England international Palmer gave away a free kick just before the half hour mark and Maghoma's cross found Che Adams at the back post who was unable to steer his volley towards goal.

Fletcher's contribution to the visitors particularly from a creative perspective had been second to none and again sent Forestieri through on goal who out-muscled Spector to go through on goal. Referee Duncan awarded a free kick to Spector which was very soft in the opinions of both me and the travelling fans.

Maghoma was again at the fore front of things for the midlands side, he was put in a great position following a good pass by Jamaican international Donaldson. Some great defending by Reach however helped Westwood to comfortably collect the ball in his own area.

Birmingham were awarded a free kick from 25 yards after a Kieran Lee foul on Donaldson. Maghoma's effort from the set piece dipped and bounced straight at Westwood.

Some great skill by Adams past Lee led him on an inspired run into the penalty box although some last ditch defending by Glenn Loovens prevented a late first half goal.

Birmingham striker Donaldson then blazed a shot from close range right over the cross bar, a chance he was rather frustrated about.

Speaking to Sheffield Wednesday fans Molly Congreve, Elliot Jackson and Luke Jackson at half time they felt annoyed that their side hadn't put away their chances after a very dominating first half from The Owls.

An inspirational team talk must have taken place by home manager Rowett at half time as his side came out to salvage what had been a relatively poor start by The Blues. Che Adams' long range deflected shot came awkwardly towards Westwood who was forced to dive on the ball.

A clever dink by Davis a minute later sent Maikel Kiftenbeld through on goal at an awkward angle but his close range shot cannoned off the post giving the hosts more reason to cheer.

The blues kept their chances flowing throughout the second half and Maghoma's 30 yard swerving effort gave Westwood more to worry about in between the sticks.

Forestieri then had a volley from twenty yards out go wide following a great one two with Fletcher.

It was clear how much Wednesday boss Carvalhal wanted his full backs to have an attacking impact and they showed this a lot. Some great passing from the back led the ball to Abdi who then switched right back Palmer. His in swinging cross was again cleared by Ryan Shotton who had been formidable throughout this match.

Left back Reach then won a corner after his cross was cleared away by Morrison.

Captain Loovens then 'took one for the team' for his side. A promising counter attack by the hosts was bought to a grinding halt after a tactical foul on Donaldson on the halfway line, which saw the Dutch skipper booked.

Maghoma again had a half chance at the back post, Davis' ball to Adams was then switched from right to left towards Maghoma, however his shot span out for a goal kick.

Within seconds of coming on Greg Stewart had made an instant impact. A skillful run was followed by a nutmeg on Reach. His run continued passed Bannan however the Scotsmen was unable to get his cross into the box.

Another inspirational run by Stewart minutes later across the box saw the ball eventually end up to Adams, his cross was cleared by Reach for a corner.

Fellow home substitute Reece Brown then had a free kick headed away by Fletcher for a corner. The corner was initially cleared and the second attempt of getting the ball into the Wednesday box was caught easily by Westwood.

Another dangerous cross was headed out by Loovens, a slip by Fletcher allowed Stewart a bouncing half volley from just outside the box, fortunately for Westwood his effort went wide.

A route one ball from Legzdins picked out Donaldson eight yards away from goal who miraculously stayed onside, however his effort again went wide.

The visitors then took the lead in the 76th minute, Kieran Lee's pass found Fletcher who ran with the ball before going to ground, he managed to keep the ball and with a stunning back heel put second half substitute Gary Hooper through on goal. Hooper's calm side foot shot hit the bottom of Legzdins wrist before bouncing in the net for Hooper's second league goal of the season. A goal which should've came much earlier as well as an assist for Fletcher who had thoroughly deserved it for his performance. That was the Scotsman's last act of the game before being replaced by Adte Nuhiu.

Four minutes later the hosts were awarded a penalty. A long ball from Blues left back Jonathan Grounds found Stewart in the box who knocked into the oncoming run from Donaldson. He ran across whose awful attempt to stop the striker ended up bringing him down maliciously and the Irish 'keeper was awarded a yellow card. Donaldson himself stepped up for the penalty which he comfortably slotted down the middle to bring his side level and bagging his fourth goal of the campaign.

Clayton Donaldson stepping up for his penalty kick.

Two of Wednesday's subs linked up in the 89th minute with Nuhiu's header from a long ball found Will Buckley whose cross was unable to pick out a white shirt in the box. Buckley again pressed a minute later and his sublime run led to a corner for The Owls.

Lukas Jutkiewicz made a big impression in the coming on as a 76th minute substitute and nearly put the hosts ahead in injury time. Stewart's cross found the striker but Tom Lees was able to clear.

Nuhiu thought he had won the game after a his header late on bounced off the cross bar following a great cross from Liam Palmer leaving the visiting fans on the edge of their seats. The hosts then went on the counter attack which saw Jutkiewicz get his first goal for Birmingham City in the second minute of stoppage time. A cross in the box from Maghoma picked out the unmarked striker who had been played onside by skipper Loovens and the forwards impressive looping header beat Westwood and in tale awarded his side the three points. A dramatic end to a great game of football.

Birmingham celebrating their 92nd minute winner

The late header left the travelling set of over 2200 Sheffield Wednesday fans distraught. Three points for Birmingham sees them stay in fifth place two points away from automatic promotion. Wednesday dropped to 14th in the Championship ahead of a big clash with Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Birmingham's performance was mainly impressive by it's two man attack of Donaldson and Jutkiewicz  left the visitors in tatters and if that set up had started the match, the hosts could've comfortably won the game by a few goals. Maghoma also provided created sparks for the Blues and goalkeeper Legzdins also kept the hosts in the game at times.

Sheffield Wednesday should have killed off the game before half time and simply were not clinical enough. Bannan controlled large quantities of the first half and Adam Reach had a very good game as a make shift left back. Fletcher's creativity was pure class throughout the game and I feel that manager Carvalhal needs to create a system where Fletcher and Hooper can play as a two together. For the 11 minutes they were together they got there goal and looked comfortable in each others company.

My man of the match was Birmingham defender Ryan Shotton. Barring the goal which was not exactly preventable, Shotton was incredibly solid at the back and did not put a foot wrong all game. If Birmingham are going to carry on their promotion charge, fans will want their defender to play like that every week.

Thursday 15th September 2016: England Women v Estonia Women

England women went into their Euro 2017 qualifying game against Estonia having already qualified for next years tournament in Holland. England were hoping secure three points and emulate their eight nil demolition of Estonia last September at the start of this qualifying campaign.

England coach Mark Sampson started Danielle Carter for the first time since last September where she picked up a hat-trick in that eight nil thrashing against the same opponents in her only previous appearance for the Lionesses'. Steph Houghton captained the side at Notts County's Meadow Lane making her 74th cap for her country. Jill Scott and Karen Carney both started for the hosts and were Englands joint top scores in qualifying with four goals a piece.

Estonia went into their final qualifying game against England still in search of their first goal despite having conceded 28 times in their other seven qualifying matches.

7,052 were in attendance for the clash at Meadow Lane

England went for a very attacking style from the start and within two minutes Jo Potter had put Carney in a decent position but her attempted cross was blocked.

Carney then put a cracking corner into the box a minute later and managed to pick out England skipper Houghton for a free header which she was unable to steer on target.

Estonia had a half chance early on after a slip by Jordan Nobbs gifted the ball to Estonia's Katrin Loo whose attempted through ball was defended very comfortably by Lucy Bronze.

Nikita Parris then had a great chance to put the hosts ahead after a good cross by Gemma Davison picked out the Manchester City forward in the box but her glancing header went wide.

The hosts finally took the lead in the ninth minute, Davison's wide pass sent Jill Scott on a run down the right flank. A low driven cross found Carter who buried a shot from 12 yards out in the bottom corner.

Davison again proved to cause problems towards Estonia's defence, her cross two minutes after the first goal went to Demi Stokes at the back post but she was unable to to steer her shot on target.

In the 13th minute Stokes presence on the left wing led to the hosts going two nil ahead. Her overlapping run with ball put her in a good cross position. Stokes' good delivery to Parris was met by an equally good shot by the City forward which rattled off the cross bar, Scott's lurking run to the back post turned out to be perfect as she was able to header in the rebound from Parris' chance to put the Lionesses two goals clear.

Captain Houghton's 25 yard free kick two minutes later, was well struck but was unable to test Getter Laar in the Estonian goal.

It wasn't long before the hosts scoring streak continued when they went three nil ahead in the 17th minute. Jill Scott won the ball midway in the Estonian half and managed to pass it to Carter who then picked out strike partner Parris. A good run was made by Parris before unselfishly squaring it back to Carter who was left with a tap in from eight yards out.

Metz 'keeper Larr was clearly lacking confidence and a poor pass by her nearly gifted Davison a fourth goal in the 20th minute but she was able to make amends with a good save.

England Ladies celebrating Carter's second of the evening

Scott's class in the middle of midfield shined for the hosts through out and she nearly set up Nobbs for a good chance but her curling shot from the edge of the box went wide.

Carter nearly sealed her hat-trick on the half hour mark after she was put through on goal following a good pass by Davison but Larr was able to prevent her side going four goals behind.

Manchester City forward Parris was desperate to get on the score sheet and had yet another good chance in the 37th minute but blazed her chance over the bar. She also got on the end of a corner from Carney five minutes later but again was unable to beat Larr.

In the 55th minute, Carter got her hat trick, a well taken free kick by Carney was punched away in a dangerous area by Larr with the ball falling to the feet of Carter who slotted away her chance with the visiting 'keeper left in no mans land to put her side four goals ahead and to pick up her sixth international goal in her second England cap.

Second half substitute Aljona Sassova recieved the first yellow card of the match five minutes after coming on following a strong challenge on England second half substitute Rachel Daly.

Davison continued her impressive first half performance into the second half and continued to cause problems for the visiting full backs. Her cross forced Eneli Vals to a pressurised poor clearance.

Despite the four goal cushion, England continued to show quality particularly in the midfield. Nobbs had a well struck volley go straight at the keeper following some great link up play between Houghton and Carter.

Houghton forced a cracking save from Larr with another well taken free kick curling towards the bottom corner.

Jordan Nobbs again had a good volley that went over and despite looking shaky early on, Nobbs in general had a promising game.

Danielle Carter nearly picked up her fourth on the 90 minute mark when she executed a well time volley off of Demi Stokes' cross but was unable to keep it on target.

Deep into injury time England were awarded a dubious penalty after Karen Carney went down in the box following an aerial duel with Liis Lepik. Lepik was booked for the challenge, Carney herself converted the spot kick straight down the middle to get England's fifth and her fifth of this qualifying campaign.

The game finished five nil to the Lionesses a scoreline which I had surprisingly managed to predict. Estonia barely made it out of their own half for the entire duration of the game and Estonia's goalkeeper was forced to make a lot of important saves.

England as a whole played very well for major parts of the game but did appear to relax for most of the second half. Danielle Carter's second hat-trick on the bounce for her country could see her become a first team regular and leaves coach Mark Sampson with a real selection dilemma for both next years European Championships and their final qualifying fixture against Belgium on Tuesday. Belgium are currently two points behind England in Group seven after their their 3-1 in Serbia on Thursday evening.

As well as Carter, I feel that England's stand out performers were Gemma Davison as she caused havoc for Estonia's left back as well as Jill Scott whose midfield dominance allowed her to control the game comfortably. Karen Carney was also a creative gem for the hosts.