Doyle Royals hat-trick hero again as Owls hit for six

REPUBLIC of Ireland striker Kevin Doyle scored a hat-trick for the second successive Championship home game as rampant Reading raced to 6-0 victory against lacklustre Sheffield Wednesday at the Madejski Stadium last night.

Doyle, who scored three goals in the Royals’ 4-2 victory over Crystal Palace prior to the international break, struck twice inside the opening nine minutes before completing his treble just after the hour mark.

In between, Andre Bikey celebrated his first start of the season with a goal and another Irishman Noel Hunt marked his recall to the side with a brace.

Wolves continued their blistering start to the season with a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace at Molineux that kept them top of the table.

Sylvan Ebanks-Blake put the home side ahead with a cool finish in the very first minute but a mistake by Neill Collins allowed Paul Ifill (32) to level against the run of play. Irish international Andy Keogh’s header (58) restored Wanderers’ lead and they held on to make it five league wins so far.

Birmingham are level with Wolves on 16 points after an impressive 2-1 victory over Bristol City at Ashton Gate.

A Louis Carey own goal (eight) handed Blues the lead and Cameron Jerome (24) made it two as the visitors dominated, although Lee Trundle’s spectacular effort (79) pulled one back.

Preston are third, two points off the pace, thanks to a 2-1 defeat of lowly Nottingham Forest at Deepdale.

Youl Mawene (50) headed North End ahead and Neil Mellor (59) added a second, but Forest were given hope when Mawene scored an own goal in the 67th minute.

Cardiff are in touch at the top after Peter Whittingham’s 14th-minute strike gave them a 1-0 win at Barnsley.

Sheffield United and Coventry fought out an entertaining 1-1 draw at Bramall Lane. Jay Tabb (30) fired the Sky Blues ahead but they spurned the chance for a second when Elliott Ward missed from the spot.

Sun Jihai was sent off for the Blades but Billy Sharp (56) then scored an unexpected equaliser.

Stephen Pearson (63) scored for Derby and Ashley Williams (76) levelled for Swansea as the clubs drew 1-1 at Liberty Stadium.

Plymouth, who started the night bottom, surged up the table with their 2-1 first win of the season at Watford.

A third-minute header from Andy Gray gave Charlton a 1-0 win at Doncaster.

Martin Paterson (60) and Graham Alexander (76), with a penalty, handed Burnley a 2-0 victory over Blackpool at Turf Moor.