Sun 3rd May - Vicarage Road
Last updated: 30th September 2008
Coppell: On form
Reading recorded the result of Tuesday night as Steve Coppell's side ended Wolves' run of seven successive victories.
The on-form Royals earned an impressive 3-0 win in an entertaining encounter against table-topping Wolves at Molineux to secure a first three-point haul on their travels this season and reinforce their hold on third position.
Second-placed Birmingham, however, failed to draw level with Midlands rivals Wolves at the league's summit as Alex McLeish's men were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw at Derby as the resurgent Rams netted in the last five minutes.
Burnley and Watford played out a five-goal thriller at Turf Moor, with the home side - fresh from their weekend victory over Lancashire opponents Preston - coming out on top with a 3-2 victory to strengthen a seven-game unbeaten record and move fourth.
Sheffield United secured the Yorkshire bragging rights with a 2-0 victory over Doncaster at the Keepmoat Stadium.
Last season's defeated play-off finalists Bristol City left it late to secure a 2-2 draw at Ashton Gate and halt Plymouth's quiet ascent of the table.
Southampton eased their early season woes as they recorded their first home win of the campaign with a 2-0 victory over Norwich, who had Dejan Stefanovic sent off.
Ipswich ended their run of recent draws with a comfortable 3-0 win over Barnsley, who fielded the youngest player in Football League history as Reuben Noble-Lazarus came on as a second-half substitute at the age of 15 years and 45 days.
Nottingham Forest have struggled since earning promotion from League One last season and Colin Calderwood's side remain rooted to the foot of the table following a 1-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday.
Preston have now lost three in a row and have dropped to ninth in the table as Swansea bounced back from their weekend hammering by Reading to record a 2-0 away victory.
Cardiff have moved into seventh position in the league following a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Coventry at Ninian Park.
In the late kick-offs, Crystal Palace defeated fellow Londoners Charlton 1-0 at Selhurst Park, while Queens Park Rangers were held 1-1 at home by Blackpool.

A look at the best pictures as Michael Owen completes a surprise move to Manchester United.
Pictures from the unveiling of Real Madrid's reported £56 million signing at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Pictures from the Under 21 championship semi-final between England and Sweden in Gothenburg.
Pictures from England's draw with Germany in the last Group B game of the Under 21 Championships.
A look at the best pictures as Michael Owen completes a surprise move to Manchester United.
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 11th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 15:00 | Burton Albion vs Derby |
| Tuesday 14th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:45 | Arnold Town vs Derby |
| Saturday 18th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 15:00 | Chesterfield vs Derby |
| Tuesday 21st July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:45 | Yeovil vs Derby |
| Thursday 23rd July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:45 | Torquay vs Derby |
| Saturday 25th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 15:00 | Exeter vs Derby |
| Monday 27th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:45 | Matlock vs Derby |
| Tuesday 28th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:45 | Notts County vs Derby |
| Thursday 30th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:45 | Burton Albion vs Derby |
| Friday 31st July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:45 | Alfreton Town vs Derby |
| Saturday 1st August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 15:00 | Derby vs Stoke |
| Saturday 8th August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Derby vs Peterborough |
| Tuesday 11th August | |
| Carling Cup | |
| 19:45 | Rotherham vs Derby |
| Saturday 15th August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Scunthorpe vs Derby |
| Tuesday 18th August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Blackpool vs Derby |
| Saturday 22nd August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Derby vs Plymouth |
| Saturday 29th August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Nottm Forest vs Derby |
| Saturday 12th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 13:00 | Derby vs Sheff Utd |
| Tuesday 15th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Derby vs Barnsley |
| Saturday 19th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Crystal Palace vs Derby |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 3rd May | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Watford 3 - 1 Derby | |
| Saturday 25th April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Derby 1 - 0 Charlton | |
| Tuesday 21st April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Derby 0 - 2 Reading | |
| Saturday 18th April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Crystal Palace 1 - 0 Derby | |
| Monday 13th April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Derby 2 - 3 Wolverhampton | |
| Saturday 11th April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Sheff Wed 0 - 1 Derby | |
| Wednesday 8th April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Cardiff 4 - 1 Derby | |
| Saturday 4th April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Derby 1 - 1 Burnley | |
| Saturday 21st March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Derby 0 - 0 Barnsley | |
| Saturday 14th March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Sheff Utd 4 - 2 Derby | |
| Tuesday 10th March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Southampton 1 - 1 Derby | |
| Saturday 7th March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Derby 2 - 1 Bristol City | |
| Tuesday 3rd March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Derby 2 - 2 Swansea | |
| Friday 27th February | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Doncaster 2 - 1 Derby | |
| Saturday 21st February | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Nottm Forest 1 - 3 Derby | |
| Wednesday 18th February | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Derby 4 - 1 Blackpool | |
| Sunday 15th February | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Derby 1 - 4 Man Utd | |
| Saturday 7th February | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Plymouth 0 - 3 Derby | |
| Wednesday 4th February | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Nottm Forest 2 - 3 Derby | |
| Saturday 31st January | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Derby 2 - 1 Coventry | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Coventry City | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Crystal Palace | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | Derby County | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Doncaster Rovers | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Ipswich Town | 0 | 0 |
Blackpool manager Ian Holloway has applauded the attitude of Derby target Shaun Barker.
Derby County have rejected two bids from Norwich City for striker Liam Dickinson.
Derby County boss Nigel Clough is ready to make new offers for Shaun Barker and John Brayford.
Derby insist they have not received any approach from Celtic for winger Kris Commons.
Burnley have expressed their delight after completing the signing of Tyrone Mears from Derby.