Saints go five points clear

A Jos Hooiveld goal right on half time, his first goal in English football, was enough to win the top clash leaving Sam Allardyce concerned about West Ham's current lack of form on the road that has seen them pick up just two points from the last three games.

Even so, despite the defeat, they remain in second place with the chasing teams unable to take advantage. Those chasing teams are Middlesbrough and Derby.

Middlesbrough were beaten for the first time this season after falling victim to a manager's 'honeymoon period' as Steve Cotterill got off to a winning start with Nottingham Forest. Derby meanwhile were twice in front at Reading but both times Adam Le Fondre replied to earn the home side a point.

Maybe it will be Bristol City's turn for the honeymoon results after appointing Derek McInnes as manager, and don't they need it? They are stuck to the bottom of the table and, with six points, are already four points from safety. They play Birmingham at home on Sunday so the Midlands club better watch out.

Birmingham don't seem to do Saturdays any more and they certainly don't do midweek games. They are already three games behind most other sides having had games in the Europa League in each of the midweeks there have been league games.

They have played just once on a Saturday since the second weekend of the season, a home game against Barnsley, and with a game against Club Brugge tonight it means it's Sunday at Ashton Gate.

Bristol City, meanwhile, have been joined again by Millwall in the bottom three who have replaced Nottingham Forest. Doncaster, beaten at Blackpool, remain in the relegation positions and today saw loan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland go back to Wigan for treatment on a back injury. He lasted eight days.

Burnley have dropped two places to 17th and now, just like Tuesday, we face a side just below us in the league who, if they beat us, will inch ahead of us. A win would at least see us go above Birmingham, even if for just a day.

The results from midweek, the weekend fixtures and the usual stats, goalscorers, disciplinary records and attendances are below.