Mac ‘bonkers’ about Daryl
Murphy continued his stunning form yesterday by netting an early brace to inspire the high-flying Tractor Boys to a 4-2 Championship win at promotion rivals Brentford.
Murphy has now netted 16 times this season and McCarthy is unfazed by rumours about his striker.
The former Ireland boss said: “If we get a bonkers offer, it’s beyond my control, but why would we sell our best players? I’m not going to worry about it because it’s something I can’t affect.”
Murphy gave his side the dream start after 19 seconds —the earliest goal scored in the Championship this season — with a strike McCarthy admitted “changed the whole dynamic” of the game.
“To get a start like that against a team that’s been dominant at home gives you a major advantage,” he said.
Bournemouth continue to lead the table after a late goal from the in-form Harry Arter wrapped up a 2-0 over Fulham. At the other end of the table, it was a good day for James McClean as his assist and goal helped Wigan to a 2-0 win at Leeds.
Rotherham are five points clear of the relegation zone after Lee Frecklington came off the bench to rescue a 2-2 draw against Huddersfield.
Rotherham trailed 2-0 with just three minutes to go but halved the deficit before a drive from Frecklington rescued an unlikely point. It was a miserable St Stephen’s Day for David Forde as the Republic of Ireland number one was beaten six times in the 6-1 defeat to Norwich.
In contrast, Keiren Westwood was in receipt of praise from Sheffield Wednesday manager Stuart Gray ensured the Owls held on to a 1-0 win over Blackpool.
Westwood did brilliantly to keep out a header from Ishmael Miller from three yards, prompting Gray to say: “We’re relying on Keiren Westwood to pull off a fantastic save to give us three points. That was probably the best save he’s made this season and the reason why I say that is because he’s had very little to do in the game.”
In League One, Eoin Doyle scored two — his 20th and 21st of the season — and made one as Chesterfield beat Peterborough 3-2.
Paddy Madden’s 11th goal of the campaign handed Scunthorpe a 2-1 victory over Rochdale.
“It’s a great three points against a very good side. A magnificent win,” Madden said. “It was nice to get on the scoresheet again.”
Dave Mooney was among the scorers as Leyton Orient hammered Crawley 4-1 to climb out of the relegation zone.
It wasn’t such a happy day for Adam Barton after he was one of two Coventry players sent off for two bookable offences in the 2-0 defeat to Doncaster.
In League Two, a goal from James Collins helped Shrewsbury to a 2-0 win at Oxford United, a result that saw them go top of the league.
Barry Corr headed the winner as Southend maintained their play-off push with a 1-0 win over Cambridge.
“It’s an important three points for us,” Corr said. “It feels good as a striker to score the only goal. It’s going well for me and the team is winning. We’ve halfway to our Christmas target.”
Elsewhere, a goal from Mark Byrne helped Newport to a 2-0 win over Plymouth, Damien McCrory was on the mark as Burton saw off Tranmere on the same scoreline while Frankie Sutherland netted in another 2-0 win as Wimbledon triumphed at Portsmouth.
