Phillips double sparks lift-off for West Brom

Saturday saw seven matches end in stalemate, Adam Johnson’s curling free-kick (41) put Adrian Boothroyd’s men ahead but Wes Hoolahan levelled with a 73rd-minute penalty after Danny Shittu fouled Gary Taylor-Fletcher.

But yesterday, Kevin Phillips scored twice as West Brom went second in the table with a 5-1 victory over QPR. WBA are a point behind Watford.

Charlton were held at Coventry, 24 hours earlier.

Lloyd Sam (15) finished after a neat one-two to give the Addicks the lead but Carling Cup hero Michael Mifsud (84) secured a point for City.

Bristol City edged above West Brom, who play tomorrow, into third with a goalless draw at struggling Preston.

Stoke failed to capitalise on the lack of winners at the top end of the table as they too were held 1-1 at Leicester.

Ricardo Fuller (15) opened the scoring with a brilliant turn and shot but Matty Fryatt gave Gary Megson’s side a share of the spoils, cutting in and finishing two minutes after the break.

Scunthorpe moved sixth after Paul Hayes’ volley gave them a 1-0 win at Colchester.

There was a draw at Turf Moor where Mark Hudson’s header (five) put Crystal Palace into the lead before Michael Duff (13) levelled.

Stephen Elliott (41) put Wolves ahead at Plymouth but substitute Nick Chadwick (61) equalised from Rory Fallon’s knock down to leave the game locked at 1-1.

Hull destroyed Ipswich in the first half to eventually claim a 3-1 win at KC Stadium.

Henrik Pedersen (11 and 40) got his first goals for the Tigers with Wayne Brown (45) adding a third, and Dan Harding’s response moments later was too little too late.