Bellamy strike sends Cardiff clear
Craig Bellamy sent Cardiff three points clear at the top of the Championship on Saturday with a 1-0 win at Leicester, one of the pack chasing promotion to the English Premier League.
The smash-and-grab style victory at the King Power Stadium gave the Welsh side a welcome cushion over second-placed Hull, who won 2-1 at Derby on Friday.
Crystal Palace blew their opportunity to overtake Hull and narrow the gap on Cardiff to two points when they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Huddersfield.
Former Liverpool striker Bellamy showed excellent technique to score the only goal of the game at Leicester, taking a Craig Conway pass and beating keeper Kasper Schmeichel with a shot into the bottom left-hand corner from 12 yards out.
Cardiff had suffered a shock 2-1 defeat at home to bottom club Peterborough on December 15 and so had a point to prove this time out.
Fifth-placed Leicester have now suffered two straight defeats, harming their promotion push.
Palace suffered an early setback against Huddersfield when Damien Delaney was sent off but the highly-rated Wilfried Zaha put the Eagles ahead just before the break.
Keith Southern levelled for the Terriers on 75 minutes and though they had Anthony Gerrard sent off five minutes later, they clung on to deny Palace second place.
Middlesbrough are in fourth after losing 2-1 at Leeds.
Boro took the lead at Elland Road in front of 25 400 spectators, the Championship's biggest crowd of the day.
Lucas Jutkiewicz put the visitors ahead but in-form Leeds striker Luciano Becchio scored either side of the break to earn the hosts their fifth win in six league matches.
The former Barcelona B forward took his goal tally to 17 for the season.
GFH Capital confirmed their 100 percent buyout of Leeds on Friday and the win saw the new era at Elland Road begin in style.
Watford moved up into sixth place, the final play-off spot, following a 2-0 win over visitors Nottingham Forest.
Matej Vydra scored twice for the Hornets to sink the former European champions.
Millwall suffered a shock 2-1 defeat at home to lowly Barnsley, who are in the relegation zone.
Marcus Tudgay scored an injury-time winner at The Den, where the Lions had not lost in their previous seven matches.
Peterborough built on their victory at Cardiff with a 5-4 win over visitors Bolton in a thrilling match at London Road.
Posh were 5-2 up with seven minutes to go but Wanderers pulled two back to set up a grandstand finish.
Though Peterborough remain rock-bottom, they are now only two points from safety.
Birmingham drew 2-2 at home to Burnley and Bristol City are just above Peterborough on goal difference after a 1-1 draw at Ipswich.
Sheffield Wednesday won 2-0 at home against Charlton to ease their relegation fears. The Owls sit just above the drop zone on goal difference.
Brighton's visit to Blackburn was postponed due to torrential rain.
Wolverhampton won 2-1 at Blackpool on Friday.
