Bottoms up in the Championship for Christmas

Chris Eagles is no longer on penalty taking duty

Peterborough started the day at the bottom but I don't think they expected to stay there after beating Bolton 5-4 at London Road. The win was even more emphatic than it looks with Bolton scoring two late goals having gone 5-2 behind.

It could have been worse too but former Claret Chris Eagles has been removed from penalty taking duties. Bolton got two and Keith Andrews scored both, his first goals for Bolton.

Another of the four Lancashire clubs (I included Bolton as they were once in the county) were beaten. That was Blackpool against Wolves on Friday but, just like us a day later, if you don't take your chances you don't win your game. Blackpool had enough but didn't score until they got a late consolation in a 2-1 defeat.

Blackpool still lead the way amongst the four but there is little between us. They have 32 points, we now have 30 with Bolton and Blackburn a further point behind on 29. I mentioned in my match report that it was nice to be above them for Christmas. It's been a long time coming and the turkey (ours will not be of an Indian variety) will taste that much nicer tomorrow.

Cardiff, as expected, go into the festive season at the top. They won a key game at Leicester and that took them three points clear of Hull who had won at Derby on Friday to go second. They held that second place with Crystal Palace only able to draw against Huddersfield.

That proved to be a fun afternoon. Both had a player sent off and for the life of me I can't see how on earth Anthony Gerrard's red card could be given. Huddersfield missed a penalty that was so badly taken by Adam Clayton I think I could have saved it and Julian Speroni, for me the best goalkeeper in the division, made some stunning saves and then let a soft one through his legs.

Keep an eye on Leeds I've been told. Having beaten Middlesbrough they are now only two points away from the play offs having just won five of their last six games. They were finally taken over last week by GFH Capital. I can see Warnock looking to spend money in January.

I think Cardiff might finally make it to the Premier League this season and maybe Hull and Middlesbrough will provide the toughest test. Somehow I can see Palace fading away.

At the other end, I think those currently in the bottom three places, Barnsley, Bristol City and Peterborough are the most likely.

Then again, I'm usually wrong.

The pre-Christmas results with the usual stats are below along with the Boxing Day fixtures.