Championship wrap: Wood nets hat-trick for Leicester

12 January 2013 19:27

Chris Wood netted a first-half hat-trick as Leicester thumped lowly Bristol City 4-0, while Watford continued their good form.

In a man-of-the-match performance, the New Zealand striker took his tally to six goals in three league and cup games since joining Leicester from Premier League outfit West Bromwich Albion.

Wood opened the scoring in the 11th minute, slotting the ball past goalkeeper Dean Gerken before doubling the visitors advantage seven minutes later at Ashton Gate.

The 21-year-old ended the match as a contest courtesy of a long-range effort four minutes before the break and Matthew James put some icing on the cake with a goal shortly after half-time.

Nigel Pearson's men climb up to third following Crystal Palace's surprise 1-0 defeat at Burnley, while Bristol City drop to the foot of the table.

Czech Republic striker Matej Vydra scored twice to earn Watford an impressive 2-1 victory over Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.

Watford went into the match unbeaten in six games away from home and they extended that great run thanks to Vydra, who took his season total to 14 goals.

The result consolidates Gianfranco Zola's outfit in the play-off positions in the wake of Millwall's 1-1 draw with Bolton.

Elsewhere on Saturday, leaders Cardiff dropped points in a goalless stalemate with Ipswich, while Barnsley, who are still searching for a new manager following Keith Hill's sacking, ended a forgettable week with a morale-boosting 2-0 victory over Leeds.

Elliot Ward found the back of the net in the final eight minutes to hand Nottingham Forest a 2-1 win against Peterborough - Alex McLeish's first victory as manager, and first-half goals from Johnnie Jackson and Scott Wagstaff inspired Charlton to a comfortable 2-1 triumph at home to Blackpool.

Gus Poyet's Brighton accounted for a spirited Derby side 2-1, while Huddersfield and Birmingham shared the spoils after playing out a 1-1 draw.

In the late kick-off, second-placed Hull City were surprisingly beaten 3-1 at home to struggling Sheffield Wednesday.