EFL roundup and reactions as QPR, West Ham run amok, Millwall lose, Charlton draw, Watford hit doldrums

And 'Come On' they certainly did

A few days on from their London Stadium draw, both QPR and West Ham cut loose in style to underline their respective promotion credentials on Wednesday night.

QPR emphatically saw off Derby County at Loftus Road (4-1) to move up to fifth place in the table while the Hammers hit six for the second time this season - taking advantage of Lincoln City having two players sent off by the 23rd minute to run out 6-0 winners at Lincoln City.

The Hoops raced into a 3-0 half-time lead against the lowly Rams to effectively end the contest.

Alfie Lloyd scored his first goal of the season to get the ball rolling after 18 minutes and Nicolas Madsen's penalty four minutes later doubled the lead. Harvey Vale made it three before the break and Paul Smyth netted the fourth midway through the second half. Lars Jorgen Salvesen netted a consolation goal in the 10th minute of injury time.

The only sour note was a knee injury suffered by Amadou Mbengue, which saw him stretchered off towards the end.

"What pleased me most was probably the first 30 minutes," said a delighted Julien Stephan. "How we started the game, and how the players were able to connect themselves with different movement and how we attacked the different spaces."

The QPR boss added: "The quality of the collective movement in the third goal is probably the symbol of that.

"Tonight was an opportunity for some players to show their qualities and it's exactly what the players who played up front did. It was important for their confidence. Our behaviour with the ball was outstanding ."

It was plain sailing for the Irons once Dinos Mavropanos had broken the deadlock just before half time. After the break, Edvin Austbo, Jarrod Bowen, Pablo and Tomas Soucek (with two) ensured the Imps would be punished for having both Tom Hamer and Conor McGrandles sent off early on.

Hamer's red was for a reckless challenge on Joel Veltman in the third minute, McGrandles was for preventing Bowen from racing through to score.

West Ham, who travel to leaders Swansea City at the weekend, are up to third in the Championship table.

"Of course the red cards made everything difficult, but we still had to work," said boss Nuno Espirito Santo. "It required patience and mobility. We managed that situation and scored some beautiful goals.

"We cannot slow down, the goal difference might be important but more than anything, it's the confidence, the individual confidence of the players. Some players who scored for us today, it's huge because we will need them in the future and it was positive."

Looking back less fondly on their midweek game were Millwall. The Lions paid a heavy price for not cashing in on a very bright opening against Swansea City at the Den when Ronald fired in a 90th minute winner for the visitors.

The match was marred by a seven minute stoppage midway through the second half following allegations of racist abuse being directed at Swansea's Ji-sung Eom.

"I don't think we deserved to lose the game," reflected boss Alex Neil. "I thought the first 45 minutes we were totally dominant and turned the ball over all the time. got into great areas and should have scored at least one or maybe even two or three with the chances we had.

"The break killed a lot of our momentum and they nicked a winner. It's frustrating."

Charlton have now gone seven games without a win but were only too happy as Ivan Mesik's 96th minute goal gave them a battling 2-2 draw at Burnley.

It was the Slovakian's first goal for the club. Kayne Ramsay scored early in the second half to cancel out a Jacob Bruun Larsen goal for the Clarets and Largie Ramazani gave Burnley the lead for a second time after 57 minutes.

"I thought we were excellent, " enthused Addicks boss Nathan Jones. "I thought we controlled the game. I thought we outpaced them, we worked really hard and they're an ex-Premier League team. I'm really proud of the performance."

Next up for the Addicks is a trip to Watford and they won't mind that given that the Hornets are currently in freefall. They followed up Saturday's 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Burnley at Vicarage Road with a 5-1 loss at Cardiff City - a late Hector Kyprianou header offering scant consolation.

Owner Gino Pozzo was the target for angry travelling fans who voiced their dissatisfaction at the way their club is being run. They are now in the bottom three after a run of one win in 10 matches.

Watford boss Alessio Dionisi said: "It is a difficult night. I am angry with myself, with my players. After the last match we spoke about the situation and we wanted another reaction. The match was finished in the first half [at 4-0]. the reaction wasn't there.

"It's my responsibility, it's our responsibility. Everyone must take responsibility. It hurts a lot. I speak with my owner every day, I have a good relationship with my director, but this is football. Last season the results were positive but Watford changed coaches, so I know my job and it is normal [to question the manager] when the result is negative."