Championship football as it happened

1. Bees come from behind to beat west London rivals
2. Brentford up to fourth after late win
3. Cardiff see off 10-man Reading
4. Pearce was sent off in the first half

That may be the end of tonight's Championship action but it is just the start of what should be a thrilling weekend throughout the football league.

Join our live text commentary from 09:00 GMT tomorrow for what promises to be a day not to be missed in the Premier League.

Have a good sleep and wake up refreshed for what is to come.

Goodnight.

BBC

A glance at the stats above and there can be few complaints from Fulham about the result. Brentford dominated possession and had double the amount of shots.

Manager reaction

Brentford boss Mark Warburton: "I thought we were very good first half and we perhaps should have taken more of our chances. At the break I told them that and I wanted us to continue in the second half. During the 60-75-minute period we weren't quite at it and we suffered.

"This is an intimidating place to come. I thought we responded well and our fitness levels were good. Jota is a talented boy, his goal may have taken a deflection but we will take it.

"The players are hungry now. We lacked self belief at the start of the season but we've picked up some big wins recently and that gives everyone confidence to go on a good run."

Fulham striker Ross McCormack: I can't disagree with Harlee that they were the better team. We nick a goal on the counter but they were the better team. We need to improve, it is as simple as that. Sloppiness by us at the end and they thoroughly deserved it."

Brentford defender and goal scorer Harlee Dean on Sky Sports: "It is a big achievement but we are not just here for the fun of it. We played some good stuff and deserved the win. The sky is our limit. You never know what can happen. I don't think many teams will live with us if we pass it like that."

BBC

How about this for a Championship table then? Brentford up into fourth - albeit having played a game more than their rivals. I'm not sure too many people would have bet on Bournemouth and Brentford pushing for the Premier League against teams with a budget that is a on a different planet. Just shows money isn't everything...

FULL-TIME

The answer is no as Cardiff make it five wins in a row at home under manager Russell Slade. The hosts move to within three points of the top six, while Reading flounder in 14th.

Can 10-man Reading get a late leveller at Cardiff? Seconds to play here.

FULL-TIME

Starting to dream Brentford fans? A west London derby win moves the Bees into fourth in the Championship and just one point off leaders Derby County. What a story for the newly promoted side.

Fulham are looking frustrated as Brentford head towards their fourth straight win. Seconds left here.

Four minutes of injury time at Cardiff. Time for some late drama in Wales too?

GOAL

A magical substitution by Brentford boss Mark Warburton. Spanish playmaker Jota, only on for 13 minutes, cuts inside from the right and shoots towards goal from 20 yards. Goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli looks to have it covered until the ball deflects off Dan Burn to leave him wrong footed.

Three minutes of added on time signalled at Brentford.

Dangerous cross from the right for Brentford but Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli is able to collect and clear down the field.

Into the last two minutes at Brentford. Both sides still pushing for the winner.

GOAL

Nervy times for Cardiff as their 10-man visitors pull a goal back. Michael Hector takes advantage of a fumble from goalkeeper David Marshall and bundles the ball into the net.

PA

SUBSTITUTION

Hard-working striker Andre Gray is replaced by former Hull target man Nick Proschwitz for Brentford. The hosts are looking for the winner with five to go.

GOAL

Absolutely brilliant from the big centre-back.

Substitute Stuart Dallas does well to reach the ball on the bye line on the left and cross low into the area. The ball flashes past a couple of Fulham defenders and Harlee Dean powers the ball into the top corner.

Eight minutes to find the winner.

Into the last 15 minutes at Cardiff as the hosts look to be cruising towards another home win. Ten-man Reading are struggling to find any answers.

GREAT SAVE!

Brentford goalkeeper David Button gets down well to keep out Hugo Rodallega's low strike. Time running out for Brentford.

SUBSTITUTION

Creative Spanish playmaker Jota Peleteiro replaces the powerful midfielder Toumani Diagouraga for Brentford, who has tired in the second half. Thirteen minutes left.

Fulham's Emerson Hyndman is penalised for handball on the edge of his own box. Alan Judge's resulting free-kick is headed across goal but, after a bit of pin ball, the visitors again clear.

Bryan Ruiz is substituted for fellow midfielder Thomas Eisfeld. Creativity sacrificed for more of a workhorse. Fulham seem more than happy with what they have.

Don't count Reading out just yet. Midfielder Oliver Norwood strikes over the bar for the Royals from distance. A goal for the 10-man visitors would make things interesting with 25 minutes to go.

Fulham keeper Marcus Bettinelli is again alert as he grabs the ball ahead of Andre Gray. The Brentford striker was looking to get on the end of Stuart Dallas's header. The substitute then volleys over the bar as he makes a busy start to his game.

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SUBSTITUTION

Midfielder Stuart Dallas replaces Spaniard Jon Toral for Brentford. A like for like replacement.

Just past the hour mark at Griffin Park and it sounds as though someone has stuck a pin into the home faithful. The Brentford support have been totally deflated by that Fulham opener and they need something to get them going again.

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Unsurprisingly, 10-man Reading are under the cosh at Cardiff. The hosts are in total control as they push for a third.

GOAL

You can't afford to make mistakes like that, Harley Dean, with the strikers of the quality Fulham have around. The Brentford defender slips as he passes the ball straight to Ross McCormack.

The ex-Leeds man breaks clear and squares to Hugo Rodallega, who finishes low into net the for his fourth goal in five games. Clinical from the Cottagers who have been on the back foot for much of the evening.

CLOSE!

Brilliant from Andre Gray at the halfway line as he turns smartly before releasing Alan Judge down the left. Judge plays it back to the striker and his shot is blocked by the feet of Marcus Bettinelli.

GREAT SAVE!

Ross McCormack almost drives Fulham ahead. His pot shot is scrambled away by goalkeeper David Button.

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Steve: This isn't the Fulham that McCormack fell in love with Hahhaha

Leeds fan by any chance Steve?

KICK-OFF

Garath McCleary replaces Simon Cox at half-time for the Royals as they look to achieve the near impossible. Game on.

It just hasn't really clicked for Fulham so far this evening. There has been no lack of effort but their passes have been wayward and they look almost surprised by the tempo the hosts are playing at.

KICK-OFF

Can Brentford keep up the pressure or will Fulham improve? We are under way.

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Martyn Atkins: Fulham will only cough up £11m for McCormack if he scores loads and we're promoted.

BBC

Reading enjoyed a lot of the possession at Cardiff but their hosts have scored with both their shots on target to take control.

BBC

Brentford have dominated possession, had more shots and more corners. But Fulham are still level.

HALF-TIME

Cardiff have to fancy their chances of continuing their impressive home form under Russell Slade now. Two goals up and with a numerical advantage, Reading could be on the wrong end of a drubbing.

RED CARD FOR ALEX PEARCE (Reading)

It is a night to forget for Reading defender Alex Pearce who is given a straight red card for bringing Adam Le Fondre down for the penalty. Pearce's own goal put the hosts ahead and now he has to watch the rest of the match from the dressing rooms. Reading are up against it now.

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GOAL

No mistakes from Peter Whittingham as he doubles his side's lead from the spot.

PENALTY TO CARDIFF

Cardiff striker Adam Le Fondre is dragged down by Alex Pearce as he looks set to shoot and the referee points to the spot.

HALF-TIME

There is the half-time whistle. Fulham will probably be relieved to get in at the break level, but, had Hugo Rodallega been on radar, it could have been even better.

A good half and you get the feeling the best is yet to come.

GREAT SAVE!

And that is what happens when you don't take your chances. Fulham break down the left and look certain to break the scoring as Ross McCormack's cross from the left finds Hugo Rodallega unmarked just eight yards from goal. The striker has to score but his header is too close to goalkeeper David Button and turned away. What. A. Chance.

GREAT SAVE!

This is fast turning into the Marcus Bettinelli show. The Fulham stopper does well to dive to his right and turn Alan Judge's free-kick wide.

Chance for Brentford as they are awarded a free-kick 20 yards out from goal...

Craig Noone almost doubles Cardiff's lead but his strike is kept out by Adam Federici. Reading growing frustrated by their Welsh hosts.

PENALTY APPEAL

Huge shouts by the home fans as Brentford's rangy midfielder Toumani Diagouraga goes down under the challenge of Kostas Stafylidis as he looks to break into the penalty box. The challenge was made outside the penalty area but, looking at the replay, Diagouraga has made an awful lot of that. Good decision by the officials.

Ten minutes left of the first half at Griffin Park as Fulham start to enjoy more of the possession. Brentford could regret their early missed chances.

Reading almost hit back through midfielder Jordan Obita. His low strike is palmed away by Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall. Hal Robson-Kanu also goes close as the Royals react well to going behind.

YELLOW CARD

Fulham defender Dan Burn is cautioned for getting involved in a bit of a melee in the Brentford box as they wait for the visitors to swing a corner in from the right. The pushing and shoving continues with Burn as the cross comes in but is cleared.

Brentford break quickly but Toumani Diagouraga's goal-bound shot from 20 yards is brilliantly turned wide by goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli. The Fulham stopper has been a busy man.

YELLOW CARD

A prime example of Fulham's pace on the break as Harley Dean is booked for hacking down Hugo Rodallega. The defender was never going to win that race fairly...

Another good opportunity wasted by the hosts. Andre Gray latches on to Nikolay Bodurov's error but, with Alan Judge racing clear, his pass is poor and cut out for Fulham's defence. A sloppy final ball is proving Brentford's problem so far.

A real barn-storming opening 25 minutes from Brentford but so far to no avail. Fulham are being out battled but, as has been shown one or twice, the visitors will always have a threat offensively.

GOAL

Cardiff's good start is rewarded as Peter Whittingham's corner is diverted into his own net by Reading defender Alex Pearce. Fortuitous but the hosts will take it.

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GREAT SAVE!

Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli gets down low to parry Jon Toral's header wide.

From the resulting corner a loose ball finds itself at Jonathan Douglas's feet just yards from goal but, at an angle, he drills the ball wide. Should do better.

Adam Le Fondre and Anthony Pilkington have gone close for Cardiff in the opening 20 minutes as manager Russell Slade looks for a fifth home win on the trot.

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Against the run of play, Fulham almost take the lead. Hugo Rodallega chases down a hopeful punt to pressure Brentford's defence and Ross McCormack picks up the loose ball 20 yards out. His shot is heading goal wards but defender Harlee Dean does well to throw his body in the way to block. A warning to the hosts - if they needed one - of Fulham's explosive attacking threat.

Fulham are yet to get into this match yet. This time, Moses Odubajo's deep cross from the right is gratefully collected by goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli. The Cottagers need to get their foot on the ball.

CLOSE!

Even closer for the hosts as Andre Gray does well to win the ball down the right. His deep cross finds Alex Pritchard at the far post but his shot is deflected over. Pressure from the Bees.

Fulham fans are doing their bit to make this a real West London derby atmosphere.

They are almost silenced though as Alan Judge races clear of the visitors's defence with the ball. The linesman's flag is raised for offisde but that is close.

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Ross McCormack has done his bit since signing for Fulham for £11m from Leeds in the summer. As well as finding the net, he has provided six goals for the club this season. He just needs his mates to chip in a bit more...

The opening few minutes have been like the first round in a boxing match as both sides feel each other out without going for the jugular. The hosts are enjoying most of the ball but are yet to threaten.

The sold out signs are up at Griffin Park for the first time this season and you get the feeling it may happen more frequently in the months to come if Brentford continue their impressive start to the season.

Brentford in the Premier League?

KICK-OFF

Game on in Wales as well. We will let you when any major incidents happen here.

KICK-OFF

Fulham may be second in the Championship form guide over the past six games but there are signs to suggest they could struggle at Griffin Park.

Brentford have won three of their last four home games, drawing the other one, with their last home defeat against Norwich on 16 September.

The Cottagers have won only one of their last six away games, but did win 1-0 at Griffin Park in the Capital One Cup on 26 August.

We are under way...

The teams are out at a very loud Griffin Park, with both managers clearly looking forward to what is to come.

Brentford boss Mark Warburton on Sky Sports: It is testament to the hard work of these players, these are the games we worked hard to achieve."

Fulham boss Kit Symons: "We respect Brentford fully and we know we will have to be at our best to get anything from tonight. It is a local derby and it means so much to both sets of fans."

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Sorry Brentford fans but runs always have to come to an end. Maybe this year?

If Cardiff or Reading are realistically harbouring promotion hopes, they better find some consistent form and quick.

The Royals, under the management of Nigel Adkins, have at least won two of their last four, but that follows a run of seven winless matches in all competitions.

Cardiff, who saw Russell Slade replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as boss in October, have only won one of their last four matches but have won four in a row at home. A win for the Bluebirds would move to within two points of the play-offs.

Both will fancy their chances of getting back in the mix but they need to close the gap soon.

How many managers?

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Forget blaming the Michael Jackson statue for Fulham's woes, surely their managerial instability had had a lot more to do with it?

Kit Symons is their fourth manager since the start of last season, following the dismissals of Martin Jol, Rene Meulensteen and Felix Magath.

At last though they seem to have found someone the supporters can connect with. After more than 100 appearances for the club as a player, he is at least in a good starting place.

Wigan row rumbles on

Jermaine Jenas

Former England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

"From a players' perspective, we're torn apart for the way we behave and act because we're role models. So I think it's poor that some members of the hierarchy are behaving this way and saying things that they're saying. It's disappointing to say the least.

"Wigan captain Emmerson Boyce has spoke positively about Malky Mackay's arrival. Boyce has been at that club for as long as I can remember and huge part of that club's history, lifting the FA Cup for them.

"He doesn't deserve to be in this position. What else is he going to say? I doubt he will turn around and say I'm not going to play for this club."

Listen to BBC Radio 5 live reviewing more of the events in football over the past few days and previewing the Premier League matches to come by clicking on the Live coverage tab at the top of the page.

Fulham on the up?

BBC

So, what has happened to Fulham?

After relegation from the Premier League for the first time in 13 years last season, Fulham were tipped by most for an instant return after spending in the region of £11m on Leeds's Ross McCormack.

But, seven defeats in a winless first eight Championship matches, left them rock bottom as boss Felix Magath paid the price with his job - having only been in charge since February.

Under the stewardship of former defender Kit Symons, things are now on the up and, unbeaten in their last six league matches, Fulham have climbed to 17th. Too late for a promotion charge? They are only nine points adrift.

Brentford

Brentford on Twitter: It's the calm before the storm here at Griffin Park.

Brentford are buzzing

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What a story Brentford's rise has been under boss Mark Warburton.

The Bees were promoted to football's second-tier for the first time since 1993 last season and are now in the Championship play-off zone after three straight wins.

The club are set to move into a new 20,000-seater stadium at Lionel Road for the start of the 2016-17 campaign and are desperate to establish themselves in this league, where they have spent only eight seasons since the end of the World War Two.

Not a bad start.

BBC Radio 5 live

Manchester United travel to the Emirates Stadium tomorrow in the Premier League as just one of a number of mouth-watering matches. Tune into BBC Radio 5 live now to hear all the matches previewed. You can listen to by clicking on the Live Coverage tab at the top of the page.

Team news

Cardiff's international duo Anthony Pilkington and Kenwyne Jones start while Bruno Ecuele Manga and Mats Daehli are on the bench after international duty.

Injuries rule Jamie Mackie (hamstring) and Pavel Pogrebnyak (knee) out of the side for Reading.

Cardiff: Marshall, Brayford, Turner, S Morrison, Connolly, Whittingham, Gunnarsson, Noone, Pilkington, le Fondre, Macheda. Subs. Fabio, Ecuele Manga, Adeyemi, Jones, Daehli, R Morrison, Moore.

Reading: Federici, Kelly, Gunter (C), Pearce, Hector, Norwood, Williams, Robson-Kanu, Obita, Murray, Cox. Subs. Andersen, Cummings, Cooper, Tshibola, Taylor, McCleary, Blackman

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

With Brentford boss Mark Warburton taking his side into the Championship play-off places, having given up a career in banking, it got me thinking about career changes.

Are there any football players or managers you think would be well suited to another profession? Maybe some have already made a surprise shift?

Let us know via #bbcfootball, on the BBC Sport Facebook page or text 81111 (UK users only).

From banking to managing

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If you ever fancy a career change but wonder whether it is realistic, take Brentford boss Mark Warburton as an inspiration.

After spending the majority of his playing days with non-league side Enfield FC, he changed directions and became a City trader after retirement.

He turned his back on the cash though to move back into football with Watford's academy and the rest is history, having guided Brentford to promotion and to sixth in the Championship.

Brentford midfielder Jonathan Douglas returns from suspension for their clash with neighbours Fulham.

Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli is fit after a thumb injury and starts.

Brentford: Button, Odubajo, Craig, Dean, Bidwell, Douglas, Diagouraga, Toral, Judge, Pritchard, Gray. Subs. Bonham, Saunders, Dallas, Tarkowski, Jota, Smith, Proschwitz

Fulham: Bettinelli; Zverotic, Bodurov, Burn, Stafylidis; Parker; Christensen, Williams; Ruiz; Rodallega, McCormack. Subs. Kiraly, Hutchinson, Roberts, Woodrow, Eisfeld, Dembele, Hyndman

Tan in the headlines

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Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan has been in the news again today, accusing Wigan counterpart Dave Whelan of being "a racist".

The Malaysian businessman criticised Whelan for using derogatory comments about Jews and the word "chink" in an interview with a national newspaper.

Whelan has denied being racist, but Tan said: "I think he insulted the dignity of all Jewish people. I think he insulted the dignity of Chinese."

"This is a racist chairman hiring a racist manager," Tan told BBC Sport's David Ornstein. "I hope that stops at two racists in Wigan, not snowballing to 2,000 or 20,000 racists in Wigan."

BBC Radio 5 live

The Weekend Football Preview is under way on BBC Radio 5 live, where Mark Chapman is previewing the weekend's football with former Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas and ex-England man Paul Ince.

It has certainly been a busy couple of days with Sheffield United retracting their offer for convicted rapist Ched Evans to train at their club, Malky Mackay returning to management at Wigan and Latics owner Dave Whelan being accused of being a racist by Cardiff chief Vincent Tan.

All will be discussed on the show this evening as well as the Premier League action ahead this weekend. It promises to be a lively one. You can listen by clicking on the Live Coverage tab at the top of the page.

BBC

The West London derby is not our only focus of attention this evening with Cardiff hosting Reading.

Both sides were highly fancied at the start of the campaign to challenge for a Premier League return but both could do with a win to kick start disappointing campaigns to date.

Cardiff are 12th, Reading 14th and neither have done a lot to justify their tags as promotion favourites.

Plenty of talent to keep an eye on though.

Good evening and welcome to an evening of Championship live text action, where the division's surprise side Brentford host a resurgent Fulham in a tasty-looking West London derby.

Both sides have enjoyed contrasting fortunes in the past 12 months, with the Bees buzzing and Fulham floundering, but both sets of supporters now have grounds for optimism.

The 'sold out' signs are up around Griffin Park for the first league derby between these sides for more than 15 years, with almost 13,000 expected.

Let's hope it isn't a "bad" game this evening and that we are served up a "thriller".

The curse of the Cottage

PA

Has the curse finally been lifted?

Former Fulham owner Mohamed Al Fayed blamed the Cottagers' recent woes on the removal of the Michael Jackson statue from Craven Cottage.

All talk about the absence of 'Jacko' could soon become a thing of the past.