Norwich open gap as Huckerby sits it out

Winger Huckerby completed his move to the Canaries from Manchester City before yesterday's encounter and he saw his team-mates survive an early scare before Mathias Svensson's goal proved the difference between the teams.

West Brom earlier missed the chance to re-take the Division One lead and were indebted to Thomas Gaardsoe's 90th-minute equaliser to snatch a 1-1 draw at home to Derby. Trailing to Candido Costa's 86th-minute goal, the Danish defender ensured that at least the Baggies drew level.

Third-placed Sheffield United took advantage to move within two points after they beat Coventry 1-0 thanks to Jack Lester's 56th-minute penalty.

Wigan were stunned by a double-strike from 17-year-old Will Hoskins as they went down 2-1 to Rotherham.

Hoskins, who had 30 seconds of professional football before yesterday struck twice in two minutes and Nathan Ellington's 90th-minute goal was a consolation.

That defeat allowed Ipswich to move into fourth after a second-half brace from substitute Pablo Counago snatched a 2-1 victory at West Ham.

Jermain Defoe had given the Hammers the lead after half-time but the Spaniard won a penalty with 20 minutes to go from which he scored and then grabbed the winner.

Sunderland are the new fifth-placed side after a comfortable 3-0 win over Bradford thanks to goals from Jason McAteer, Tommy Smith and Kevin Kyle.

However, Reading's decline since Alan Pardew's departure, continued as Wimbledon won only their fifth game of the season.

Iain Dowie's reign as Crystal Palace manager began on a low note as Neil Harris' solitary strike in the 18th minute gave Millwall the points at Selhurst Park, while Neil Emblen's 70th-minute goal was enough to secure victory for Walsall in Cardiff.

Preston were denied victory by a penalty from Stoke's John Eustace after Michael Jackson had been sent off. David Healy had put Preston ahead in the 66th minute.

Burnley's struggles continue as they went down 3-1 at Crewe.

Gillingham defender John Hills' penalty was the only goal of the game against Watford.