Murray scores hat-trick as Palace climb to the summit
Crystal Palace moved to the top of the Championship by drubbing Ipswich Town at Selhurst Park on Tuesday, as Cardiff City were knocked off the summit after surrendering a two-goal lead at Charlton Athletic in a nine-goal thriller.
Glenn Murray was once again in irresistible form for Palace, the striker - who scored two against Blackburn at the weekend - notched a hat-trick including two penalties as Mick McCarthy's Ipswich were thumped 5-0.
Murray, as he did against Blackburn, could also afford to miss a third penalty, while Yannick Bolasie and Andre Moritz also found the net for Ian Holloway's men in the new manager's first game in charge.
Early goals from Heidar Helguson and Joe Mason looked to have put Cardiff in control at The Valley, but Johnnie Jackson had the hosts back on terms by the break and remarkably Charlton led 5-2 shortly past the hour, Rob Hulse netting the fifth. That ensured that Craig Noone and Aron Gunnarsson's late efforts were no more than consolations for the travel-sick Bluebirds as the Addicks triumphed 5-4.
Middlesbrough are just one point behind leaders Palace as their run of six straight wins came to an end with a goalless draw at Nottingham Forest.
Hull City kept pace with the leading sides as they recorded their second home win in the space of four days, goals from Sone Aluko and Jay Simpson enough to earn a 2-1 success against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Jordan Rhodes scored on his return to Huddersfield Town, but Blackburn Rovers were denied all three points at the John Smith's Stadium as Lee Novak grabbed his second off the game in injury-time to earn the hosts a 2-2 draw.
Stephen Dobbie was Brighton's hero as he popped up in the dying moments with the only goal of the game to sink Peterborough United at the Amex Stadium.
Burnley's goal-machine Charlie Austin continued his scoring exploits as he struck seven minutes from time to give the Clarets a slender 1-0 home victory over Leeds United.
Derby County closed on the top six as James O'Connor and Nathan Tyson scored to inflict another defeat on out-of-form Barnsley.
Chris Burke and Marlon King netted second-half goals as Birmingham City claimed a welcome 2-0 win over struggling Bristol City, while Thomas Ince and Ludovic Sylvestre ensured caretaker manager Steve Thompson registered his first success in charge of Blackpool with a 2-0 win away at Sheffield Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the games between Bolton Wanderers and Leicester City and Watford and Millwall both finished scoreless.
