Ice cool Hernandez puts Hull back on top
Abel Hernandez kept his cool to send Hull back to the top of the Championship with a clinical penalty in his side's 1-0 win over Fulham on Saturday. Hernandez's second half spot-kick was enough to secure the points after Moses Odubajo was fouled by Lasse Vigen Christensen with just 10 minutes remaining at Craven Cottage. Uruguay forward Hernandez's 17th goal of the season gave Hull a fifth successive victory as Steve Bruce's side moved one point clear of Middlesbrough, who dropped to second place after losing 1-0 at home to Nottingham Forest. Struggling Fulham are just four points above the relegation zone and are still waiting for their first win under new manager Slavisa Jokanovic. "It was satisfying and I think it shows you how difficult the league is when I see Fulham in 19th position and see them (playing) like they did today," Bruce said. "You have to show a certain resilience, especially in the middle of winter coming to places like this. "The ability to roll up your sleeves and give nothing away and show that resilience is what you need to be successful. It's not all about playing nice football." Middlesbrough lost ground in the race for promotion to the Premier League as Forest enjoyed their first-ever win at the Riverside Stadium. Jamie Ward's second-half goal stretched Forest's unbeaten run to 12 games and sealed their first win on Teesside since a 2-1 victory at Ayresome Park in February 1993. Middlesbrough's second successive defeat left them five points ahead of third placed Brighton after they closed the gap with a 2-1 home win against Huddersfield. Bobby Zamora put Albion ahead before Harry Bunn levelled in first-half stoppage time. On-loan Manchester United forward James Wilson hit Brighton's second-half winner and Huddersfield had defender Tommy Smith sent off for two bookings in the closing stages. Birmingham improved their play-off prospects with an impressive 3-0 home victory over 10-man Ipswich. Will Buckley, on a month's loan from Sunderland, scored the opening goal in the 23rd minute and was later involved in an incident that led to Ipswich's Jonathan Douglas being sent off. Birmingham added to their tally with long-range efforts from Jon Toral and Maikel Kieftenbeld to record their fourth successive home win, climbing above Ipswich into seventh place. Bolton defender Rob Holding scored his first senior goal as his bottom-of-the-table side boosted their survival hopes with a 3-1 victory over Milton Keynes Dons at the Macron Stadium. Elsewhere, troubled Charlton had to settle for a 1-1 home draw against Blackburn that left them second-bottom and increased the frustrations of fans angry with the unsuccessful reign of Belgian owner Roland Duchatelet. Reading drew 1-1 with Sheffield Wednesday and QPR were held to a 1-1 draw by Wolves. Cardiff and Rotherham drew 2-2, while Brentford won 3-1 at Preston and Leeds beat Bristol City 1-0.
