Friday's Championship football as it happened

1. Leaders Bournemouth go four points clear
2. Result: Fulham 2-2 Wigan
3. Wigan seven points from safety

And that's that for the night!

The situation could all change again tomorrow with this bunch of Championship fixtures. See you there!

Derby County v Brentford - 12:15

Birmingham City v Wolverhampton Wanderers - 15:00

Bolton Wanderers v Norwich City - 15:00

Ipswich Town v Blackpool - 15:00

Leeds United v Cardiff City - 15:00

Middlesbrough v Rotherham United - 15:00

Millwall v Watford - 15:00

Nottingham Forest v Huddersfield Town - 15:00

Reading v Blackburn Rovers - 15:00

Sheffield Wednesday v Charlton Athletic - 15:00

The table

BBC

Movement at both ends of the table tonight then. At the top, Bournemouth are four points clear but could get reeled in over the weekend.

And at the bottom, look away now Wigan fans.

BBC

The draw at Fulham means the Latics are seven points adrift of safety, while Fulham stay in 20th place and Brighton 19th. Both are not safe yet.

FULL-TIME

'Rubbish!' screams a Fulham man near the pitch-level microphones as the full-time whistle goes. Boos around the ground and cries of 'you don't know what you're doing!' aimed at boss Kit Symons.

A better result for Fulham than Wigan though, who are seven points adrift with 12 points left to play for.

Wigan now lose the ball cheaply and that could be that...

You can sense the nerves now as both teams look frazzled under the lights. Wigan give it away cheaply and Cauley Woodrow wins a corner, it's cleared and Bryan Ruiz loses it out wide.

INJURY TIME

FOUR MINUTES added on. Can Wigan keep their season alive?

Last minute of the regulation 90...

Fulham straight up the other end and sub Cauley Woodrow drags one wide on the stretch.

CLOSE!

James McClean buys himself a yard of space, the Wigan man takes aim and it is deflected narrowly wide. So close...!

A point doesn't do anything for Wigan's chances of staying up. All or nothing time for new boss Gary Caldwell...

Wigan bring off goalscorer Jermaine Pennant and replace him with Norwich loanee Josh Murphy. Time to become a hero?

Jack from Cheshire: "Chris Hughton brought some of best football I've seen at Newcastle in the past decade, give him another chance with a decent team and he'll take them far..."

Roger M, Malmesbury Canary: "I echo last Norwich fan; watching the Canaries under Chris Hughton was dire 95% of the time."

Scott Parker still has it - the Fulham skipper wriggles free outside the area and sends in a low drive, which Scott Carson saves.

Ten minutes left at Craven Cottage.

Brighton 0-2 Bournemouth

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, Former Brighton defeder Adam Virgo

"It must be a big worry for Chris Hughton, with Brighton's run in where are the goals going to come from? I don't think the result was ever in doubt after Bournemouth got in front. They showed their quality tonight and showed why they're doing so well in the league."

Player reaction

Bournemouth striker Yann Kermorgant: "We needed the three points tonight, it's a really big win. With the free-kick I just tried to hit the net."

Skipper Tommy Elphick: "Brighton are a good side, they are in a false position and I hope that they can do us a favour in the run-in. This is step one of five, and we have four cup finals left now. Four games, four wins and we get promoted."

FULL-TIME

The sign of champions? Not a vintage display but two clinically-taken second-half goals have put Bournemouth four points clear at the top going into the weekend.

It's going to go to the wire at the top - how about at the bottom? If Wigan can find a winner then maybe so...

PA

Wigan have to chase this, but what about Fulham? Settle for a point? Their defence has been leaky all season and you wouldn't back them to hold out if they sit back.

Much more clear-cut for Wigan - get it in the box, quick!

YELLOW CARD

Joe Bennett loses his cool, the Brighton defender is caught by a poor tackle from Adam Smith, reacts and stamps out at Smith. They are both booked.

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Jamie McKellar: "(Damien 21:10) Chris Hughton doesn't set his team up to kill the game, as a Newcastle fan, I remember differently. Underrated."

Jack in Norwich: "Hughton destroyed Norwich when he was here. I was a regular spectator but last season was the first season I didn't renew my season ticket. His teams produce dire 'football', and completely suck the passion and the atmosphere out of the game."

Differing views...

SUBSTITUTION

Not a bad player to bring on for a Championship club. Bryan Ruiz trots off the bench for Fulham, replacing Sean Kavanagh.

CLOSE!

Craig Mackail-Smith chances his arm from long range for Brighton but slides his shot wide of the far corner. Worth a dig.

Into the last few minutes now as Bournemouth bring on Kenwyne Jones.

GOAL

Who said defenders shouldn't shoot?

This isn't a long-ranger, but it's absolutely vital for Wigan. Jason Pearce prods in from a corner and Wigan have hope. One might not be enough though - the Latics need to press for a winner against the league's second-leakiest defence.

Getty Images

Don't. Shoot. From. There.

Why do centre-backs do it? Harry Maguire skied one in the first half, and this time giant Fulham defender Dan Burn blazes miles off target from 30 yards.

Just pass to a striker. Every time.

Plenty of Brighton fans are heading to the exits now as we approach the final five minutes.

Bournemouth going four points clear at the top, Brighton going below Fulham and into 20th as it stands.

This is getting serious for Wigan but there's no huge sense of urgency from the Latics. They dominated long periods of the first half but they've struggled to replicate that since the break. Just over 20 minutes left. Twenty minutes to save their season?

Brighton 0-2 Bournemouth

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, Former Brighton defeder Adam Virgo

"It's too easy for Bournemouth, Greg Halford needs to do a lot more for me there. Callum Wilson has had a frustrating night but that's the sign of a quality striker there when you're struggling still managing to get that goal.

"Leon Best missed a great opportunity to open the scoring and Bournemouth have shown the quality you need in games like this."

GOAL

Any chance of some composure Callum?!

Brighton leave the back door unlocked as they push men forwards and Callum Wilson is played over the top. He cuts inside Greg Halford, then leaves the defender in a mess as he goes back around the other side of Halford and side foots home clinically from 12 yards out. So cool under pressure.

Bournemouth haven't played well but they are going to win - and you'd have to make them favourites to get promotion too.

Getty Images

PENALTY APPEAL

Oooh, lucky boy! Bournemouth winger Matt Ritchie slips inside the area and scoops the ball away from Brighton captain Inigo Calderon with his hand - Calderon appeals vociferously for a spot-kick but referee Craig Pawson is having none of it.

Whether it was intentional or not, that was a clear handball and prevented Brighton from staying in possession.

SUBSTITUTION

Fulham wait an hour for a corner then force two in a minute. They fail to capitalise though and Wigan can regroup.

Goalscorer Matt Smith's time is up, he is replaced by England Under-21 frontman Cauley Woodrow.

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Nick, Charlton fan: Going down into League One isn't that bad. It allows the club to restructure and come back stronger. Not all doom and gloom for Wigan

Surely Fulham are safe if they hold on here? Victory would take them 11 points clear of the bottom three, though third-from-bottom Millwall do have two games in hand.

As for Wigan, lose and they will be eight points adrift of safety with four to play.

SUBSTITUTION

Brighton are not safe in the Championship and may stay up relying on the failings of others.

Chris Hughton makes a double change, on come Craig Mackail-Smith and Kazenga LuaLua on for Joao Teixeira and Mustpaha Carayol.

Yann Kermorgant's free-kick was Bournemouth's first strike on target of the night. One shot, one goal.

It's their 21st goal scored from outside the box all season. A phenomenal effort!

SUBSTITUTION

Wigan are prodding and probing and they eventually release Jermaine Pennant in the Fulham area on the right-hand side, but Dan Burn is there to smash clear.

Gary Caldwell makes his first substitution as Wigan boss, sending Martyn Waghorn on for Marc Antoine Fortune to cheers from the travelling fans.

Yann Kermorgant once royally messed up on the big stage for Leicester, chipping a penalty down the middle in the play-offs and seeing it saved. But he has been superb for Bournemouth all season and that latest goal could take them a step closer to the big time.

Brighton 0-1 Bournemouth

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, Former Brighton defender Adam Virgo

"It was always a great range for Yann Kermorgant, David Stockdale was expecting it to go over the wall but it's a wonderful free kick. When you have players like that in your team they can really hurt you and what a time to do it.

"For Eddie Howe all that matters tonight is the result, it's a very important goal for Bournemouth."

GOAL

Pick that one out! Yann Kermorgant ignites a shoddy game with a glimpse of top-flight quality, curling a free-kick over the wall and into the corner from 25 yards out.

Lovely finish, sending the away end nuts. The Cherries will go four points clear if they can win tonight and that puts them bang in control.

PA

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Robin McKay: Can we just end this season now and start again in League 1 because that's where we're heading!

YELLOW CARD

Lewis Dunk goes into the book for a clumsy challenge 25 yards from goal. Chance for Bournemouth here?

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Damien, Norwich fan: "Brighton are a Chris Hughton team - set up to kill the game, kill the passion of the club's fans too. The football he had Norwich playing was the worst I've ever seen."

Chris Hughton not a popular man in Norfolk it seems...

If Wigan are going to create something then there are two men who look most likely to be at the heart of it - Jermaine Pennant and William Kvist. Pennant is offering a threat on the wing and Kvist - Denmark captain and a member of the Fulham team relegated from the Premier League last season - is showing plenty of poise on the ball in the centre of midfield.

Still very few clear-cut opportunities though.

SUBSTITUTION

Brighton make a change as Beram Kayal limps off to be replaced by Rohan Ince. There are 25 minutes remaining - any danger of a goal anyone?

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Liam: As a Palace fan, I'm quite enjoying watching Brighton play this season! Mind the gap!!

Gary Caldwell isn't the only manager under the microscope at Craven Cottage this evening. Fulham boss Kit Symons has come in for criticism from some fans after failing to build on the promise of his early weeks in the job, when he guided the Cottagers out of the relegation zone after a dreadful start to the campaign under Felix Magath.

Symons appears to have had more of an impact at the interval - his side have begun the half well and are on the front foot.

SUBSTITUTION

What a run! This game has been poor but Mustapha Carayol suddenly produces a moment of genius, picking the ball up in his own half, jinking past two men and then putting the foot down and going all the way, into the area - but his shot is tame and easily blocked. What a run though!

Bournemouth make the first change - Adam Smith on for Marc Pugh.

KICK-OFF

Back under way at Craven Cottage. A huge half in store for Wigan.

Nabil Hassan

BBC Sport

"Brighton have come flying out of the traps here roared on by vociferous home support but as things stand with an hour gone it's still goalless with Leon Best's tame effort the only shot on target. Eddie Howe has sent his substitutes out to warm up and he may look to change things here at The Amex."

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Pointless co-host Richard Osman: I want Fulham to beat Wigan, Spieth to win The Masters, Cambridge to win the Boat Race and Balthazar King to win the National.

Brighton 0-0 Bournemouth

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, Former Brighton defeder Adam Virgo

"In the last five minutes the game has really opened up for both teams, when you score goals left right and centre like Bournemouth do you have the opportunity to score goals from more than one source.

"This is where Brighton have to be careful, when Yann Kermorgant is on the half turn he always has a chance."

A shot on target! Not a very good one but a shot on target.

Brighton striker Leon Best breaks the Bournemouth defence, he's in on goal but the ball gets stuck under his feet and he can only shovel a shot at Artur Boruc, who could throw his cap on it.

Marc Pugh wastes a good Bournemouth counter-attack before Brighton man Dale Stephens slams another one over the top from range. Is it maybe opening up?

PA

CLOSE!

Goalkeepers David Stockdale and Artur Boruc are robbing a living this evening, we've not had a shot on target all night!

But hang on - that is close! Brighton midfielder Dale Stephens - lucky perhaps not to be sent off in the first half - cracks a strike over the bar from 20 yards.

Still not on target, but a fine effort.

What about this for a first half-time team talk as a manager then for Gary Caldwell?

No pressure - get it right and you've got a chance of staying up, fail to inspire your team and you're all but relegated.

Good luck Gary...

Given the nature of Gus Poyet's exit from Brighton, I'm fairly confident that such a reunion will not happen...

Still no action at the Amex to speak of. A few niggly tackles, no efforts on target.

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Chris, Brighton Fan: "Bring back Gus Poyet, he played decent football and this drab stuff we've had under Garcia, Hyypia and Hughton makes Brighton look average."

A bit harsh that? Or fair enough?

Brighton were fairly dull when I saw them play under Sami Hyypia to be honest.

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CelebCelery: Chris Hughton doing what he does best - producing teams that kill the game and offer nothing going forward

HALF-TIME

KICK-OFF

No sign of the big man just yet though as we get back under way.

A break in play as Wigan goalscorer Jermaine Pennant receives treatment following a clash with Sean Kavanagh. He's back on his feet now - his side need him - and there will be two minutes added on at Craven Cottage.

Teams back out at the Amex - Kenwyne Jones has been warming up for the Cherries at the break. A great option to have.

Three shots on target, three goals. This game hasn't been packed full of quality but we've had three fine strikes, all from long range.

Matt Smith definitely the pick of them - you'll be hard pressed to find a better goal than that all weekend.

Fulham loaned Matt Smith out to Bristol City earlier this season, where he scored 14 goals. Since returning to London he has three in eight games.

Seventeen goals in a season - not a bad effort at all that.

Apologies but I missed a clear look at a crunching tackle from Brighton's Dale Stephens in that first half which Matt Ritchie was far from happy about. Just seen it again - could easily have been a red card, he was over the ball, but referee Craig Pawson didn't even give a foul!

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William, Norwich fan: "Drab dull and dismal" sounds like Norwich all last season. I wonder what the common factor might be? Hoping Hopeless Hughton can do us a favour tonight though.

GOAL

It's just like watching Leeds 2013-14.

Matt Smith, Ross McCormack's strike partner at Elland Road last season, unleashes a spectacular strike from 25 yards and it absolutely flies past Wigan keeper Scott Carson and into the top-left corner.

Getty Images

Fulham have been sluggish but they finally pose some attacking threat as Ross McCormack breaks free, the Scot eventually thwarted by veteran defender Emmerson Boyce.

Just the one shot on target for either side so far.

Brighton 0-0 Bournemouth

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, Former Brighton defeder Adam Virgo

"I think Chris Hughton will be pleased his side have kept a clean sheet so far tonight, Bournemouth certainly haven't brought their A game tonight.

"Their midfield runners really need to improve, they've not got the ball to Callum Wilson anywhere near enough. Eddie Howe will get in to his players at half-time and look to change it but I think Brighton would be happy with a point tonight."

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Jonathan: Here's hoping for a Brighton win, sincerely a hopeful Norwich fan

Should Bournemouth lose tonight, then Norwich, Watford or Middlesbrough could all go top over the weekend.

What a final day of the season we could have on our hands on 2 May. Book it off...

HALF-TIME

If tonight was a chance for Bournemouth to showcase why they are heading to the top flight, they've not capitalised so far.

Drab, dire, dismal affair so far.

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Wigan Evening Post reporter Paul Kendrick: "This is a completely different #wafc team than we've seen in recent weeks/months, both with and without the ball. Unrecognisable."

Wigan don't look like a team devoid of confidence. They're dominating possession - 64% to 36% - and seem invigorated by that equaliser.

Plenty of jeers audible from the home fans at Craven Cottage.

You often hear games described as 'a cracking advert for the Championship.'

This has been a cracking advert for the Premier League. A boring game so far to be honest.

Getty Images

Nabil Hassan

BBC Sport

"Half time approaching and Chris Hughton will be a happy man. His Brighton side have restricted Bournemouth to shots from range and have posed a threat at the other end. His counterpart Eddie Howe has spent the opening 45 minutes stood out on his technical area, taking notes and urging his side forward but they're struggling to break down an organised Brighton unit though."

No question Wigan deserve to be level - they've been in the ascendancy since falling behind early on.

Fulham "advisor" Alan Curbishley has already made one trip from the stand to the dugout to have a word with boss Kit Symons. Time for another one?

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, Former Brighton defeder Adam Virgo

"The frustration for Eddie Howe is when Yann Kermorgant gets the ball, instead of pulling the trigger and having a go they're trying to score the perfect goal. Bournemouth need to be a bit more ruthless in the final third, they should be testing David Stockdale a lot more than they have."

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Les in Keynsham: "I agree with Mike [see 20:10] we should have stuck with Uwe Rosler. Coyle and Mackay where both rubbish, My wife and I have been to all the home games this season, 350 miles plus season tickets and car park = a lot of money and very disappointed. Will we be going next season? Of course!"

Brighton striker Leon Best in trouble after a harmless looking challenge, he's done something to his hand and needs some treatment.

GOAL

Hope for Wigan!

Jermaine Pennant, purveyor of many a fine free-kick down the years, beats Marcus Bettinelli from distance with a cracking curling strike.

Could the great escape be on?

Getty Images

Optimistic, very optimistic.

Harry Maguire sends an effort goalwards from 35 yards and it sails harmlessly off-target. The big centre-back was at fault for the opener and he apologised to his team-mates straight after it - and he looks like he's eager to make amends.

'The only Wigan fan in Cornwall' - sounds like a rare Simon & Garfunkel B-Side.

Looe is 303 miles from the DW Stadium. What are you doing down there?

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Paul, only Wigan fan in Looe, Cornwall: "The crazy thing is we allowed Malky Mackay to get rid of any decent players we had left and then build a team of misfits. They all came because of Mackay so what are they making of this? Oh, they've conceded after four minutes - I think we have the answer."

After a dreadful couple of seasons there haven't been many teams Fulham can say they've enjoyed playing in recent times. But when the Cottagers need a result - as they do tonight - Wigan would be their go-to opponents.

The Cottagers haven't lost in their last 14 (FOURTEEN) meetings with Wigan. No sign of that changing as things stand.

Since that deflected Matt Ritchie effort the leaders have had much more of the play. It's kicked them into gear as we approach the final 15 minutes of the half. Still no real test for either goalkeeper as of yet.

'Paradigm' makes its live text commentary debut. Well played David, well played.

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David, Teddington: "Re Wigan v Pompey comparison: Pompey are now debt free and the largest fan-owned club in the country. There is no comparison, a completely new paradigm."

Rory, Leicester: "Brighton this season have been playing so flat compared to last year; even the ball has given up all hope as well!"

Better from Wigan. They force a couple of corners, from which Marc-Antoine Fortune and Jermaine Pennant both see efforts diverted away to safety.

Gary Caldwell was always a battler as a player and his team are showing a bit of fight now.

Bournemouth's first real attack sees Callum Wilson tee up Matt Ritchie 25 yards out, he's got a hammer of a left foot and cannons in a drive which is deflected wide. A sign of things to come?

Still all Brighton, as twice they pump dangerous crosses in from the left but on both occasions there's nobody there to profit. Brighton's season in a nutshell?

Wigan have laid on seven free coaches for their fans in a bid to boost their team's fortunes this evening, but it's been a frustrating start so far and the Latics are yet to have an effort on target.

The last time those Wigan fans saw their side win in London? May 2013, Wembley Stadium and a certain FA Cup win.

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Mike in Bath: "Wigan's problems started when the spine of a successful team jumped ship and followed Roberto Martinez to Goodison. Some of the remaining squad have played like they're too good for the Championship, while, in the process, proving that they're not. Why Owen Coyle was appointed I'll never know, and likewise why Whelan got rid of Uwe Rosler. Mackay just didn't fit at Wigan. Can Caldwell do better? No idea, but we're in one hell of a fight to stay up if the way we've started tonight is anything to go by."

We've got a flat ball in Brighton, referee Craig Pawson makes the switch. We've also got rather a flat game.

Ross McCormack might not have reached the heights he managed for Leeds last season since his big-money move south, but he now has three goals in his last three games.

Those goals could be the difference between staying up and going down. Worth the money?

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, Former Brighton defeder Adam Virgo

"There's no surprise to see Brighton have 60% of the play here - they've definitely had the better of it. Eddie Howe has spoken about improving his side's possession with the ball and you can see why."

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John, Leicester: "To Phil in Stafford, no Wigan aren't Pompey in disguise for the fact that they live within their means and have little to no debt."

GOAL

The worst possible start for new Wigan boss Gary Caldwell. Wigan defender Harry Maguire misplaces a header straight to £11m striker Ross McCormack, who has time and space to curl an effort beyond Scott Carson from the edge of the area.

Fulham up to the dizzy heights of 18th. Wigan in big, big trouble.

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Bournemouth have scored 87 goals in the league this season but haven't looked a danger at all so far as we reach the 20-minute mark. An off night?

Nabil Hassan

BBC Sport

"Fair play to Brighton who are making a mockery of their league position and taking the game to league leaders Bournemouth here at the Amex. The Cherries are yet to test David Stockdale and manager Eddie Howe is prowling his technical area barking orders.

"It's a cracking atmosphere as the sun sets and floodlights come into full effect adding to the drama of tonight's game."

KICK-OFF

Under way at Craven Cottage. Now or never for Wigan if they are going to kickstart an unlikely survival bid.

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Brighton nudging 60% of the early possession as the leaders continue to struggle. They made a sloppy start against Birmingham last time out - going 2-0 down - but still managed to streak to a 4-2 win. Eddie Howe won't be too concerned.

PA

LINE-UPS

Fulham: Bettinelli, Grimmer, Turner, Burn, Husband, Hoogland, Tunnicliffe, Parker, Kavanagh, Smith, McCormack. Subs: Kiraly, Stafylidis, Hutchinson, Ruiz, Kacaniklic, Woodrow, Rodallega.

Wigan: Carson, Boyce, Maguire, Pearce, Bong, Kvist Jorgensen, Perch, Pennant, McClean, Kim, Fortune. Subs: McCann, McKay, Ojo, Barnett, Al Habsi, Murphy, Waghorn.

Referee: Mick Russell (Hertfordshire)

The attention tonight may well be on Wigan, but Fulham are not yet safe after an awful season of their own.

Relegated from the top flight last season, the Cottagers have followed it up with a dismal campaign. Eight points clear of the relegation zone in 20th place, they should just about be safe.

But they could be caught yet. A win tonight would help ease the remaining nerves.

Brighton 0-0 Bournemouth

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, Former Brighton defeder Adam Virgo

"Brighton have got Bournemouth on the back foot and they need to continue using Greg Halford to their advantage, his long throws are dangerous and are clearly a threat.

"Bournemouth have started very slowly and Brighton need to try and get something out of this spell of pressure."

The impressive start from Brighton continues as Joao Teixeira wriggles away inside the box and fires in a shot just over the top. Bournemouth need to up their game.

Sit in the M6 traffic. For free!

Some offers - even when they're free - are best avoided.

Getty Images

You can't fault Wigan for offering free coach travel to Fulham this evening, but anyone who's a regular traveller on Britain's motorways on a Friday will tell you that the idea isn't the best.

If Wigan are to stay up then their away form will be the reason. They play fellow strugglers Fulham, Millwall and Brighton in their next three games and before their 1-0 loss at Middlesbrough on Good Friday had won four games in a row away from home.

Their latest game is about to start.

CLOSE!

Chance! Brighton captain Inigo Calderon has a free header from an outswinging corner, he should be working the keeper but he mistimes his jump and skims an effort wide. That could prove a costly miss, but the hosts are on top in these early stages.

Harum scarum start, neither side taking a grip of the ball in midfield, plenty of bite in the early tackles too.

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Giannina Caraceni: Southend Utd shoot themselves in the foot too often to ever make Premier League. Essex won't ever have a PL team

Big call G. Roots Hall will need a lick of paint if they do get there.

We are asking whether your team will ever take inspiration from the likes of Bournemouth and Wigan and reach the Premier League?

Get in touch at #bbcfootball, pop on to the BBC Sport Facebook page or BBC Sport's Google+ area.

You can also text us on 81111 in the UK only - don't forget to say who you are and where you are texting from.

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Former Brighton defender Adam Virgo

"It's great to see Bournemouth bring so many fans for a big derby game. Both sides have started well, but you can see how Brighton want to play and they want to get the ball out to the wings and try to get around the back of the defence."

Listen to full match commentary of Brighton v Bournemouth on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Brighton defender Lewis Dunk does well to escape a booking after a sly tug on the shirt of Callum Wilson. Wilson was looking to get in behind there.

When the free-kick is whipped in it's a cracker, pace and swerve from Matt Ritchie but nobody reads it and the ball goes dead.

Curbs' appeal

Fulham manager Kit Symons says Alan Curbishley has been "a massive help" since joining the Whites last month.

Former Charlton boss Curbishley, 57, rejoined the Championship strugglers last month in an advisory capacity.

"He has got a real assuredness and calmness about him. He fits in perfectly with what we want to do," Symons told BBC London 94.9.

PA

"My staff are young, diligent and hard-working. We haven't got experience and Curbs has got that in abundance."

Curbishley, who spent 15 years in charge at The Valley between 1991 and 2006, had a brief stint as Fulham's technical director last season.

Manager next?

Bournemouth right-back Simon Francis - a colossus on a football management game of mine around a decade ago - makes a fine early tackle to stop Mustapha Carayol in his tracks. Lively start from the visitors.

A mini reunion on the pitch at Craven Cottage for the Latics involving Ali Al-Habsi, Mike Pollitt and Fulham striker Hugo Rodallega, who were all part of the squad for Wigan's great escape in 2010-11. Can Gary Caldwell's side do it again in 2014-15?

They need the points tonight.

Wigan Athletic

KICK-OFF

We are under way on this fine Friday night of football.

Here we go - the teams are out at the Amex. Cracking atmosphere in store - the first midweek game of the season to kick off in near daylight?

Always a great moment.

PA

Nabil Hassan

BBC Sport at the Amex Stadium

"Just shy of 2,000 away fans here tonight and they're making themselves heard at their end of the Amex and who can blame them? The Great Escape theme music is blaring out and the home fans join in. It's not quite got that desperate for Brighton but defeat tonight could pull them further into danger."

LINE-UPS

Brighton: Stockdale, Saltor, Carayol, Dunk, Bennett, Stephens, Halford, Calderon, Kayal, Teixeira, Best. Subs: Hughes, O'Grady, Mackail-Smith, Forster-Caskey, Ince, LuaLua, Walton.

Bournemouth: Boruc, Francis, Elphick, Cook, Daniels, Ritchie, Arter, Surman, Pugh, Kermorgant, Wilson. Subs: Camp, Gosling, Pitman, Smith, Stanislas, Ward, Jones.

Referee: Craig Pawson (South Yorkshire)

BBC

Goals have been hard to come by for Brighton this season - whereas the Cherries have been smashing them in. More of the same tonight?

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

You can also follow BBC 5 live sports extra's coverage of Brighton v Bournemouth tonight from 19:40 BST.

Tune in online or listen in this very page. Just press play at the top.

Bournemouth go into the weekend top but the Championship is so ridiculously tight that they could very easily end it in fourth spot.

If you'd offered Eddie Howe a place in the play-offs last summer he would have snapped your hand off. If they end up there now they're bound to feel disappointed...

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has been speaking about the impact on-loan striker Kenwyne Jones has had on his squad. Jones has been brought in for the run-in and Howe says his experience is already showing.

"Obviously he got the huge goal at Ipswich and he's played his part just on his experience," Howe told BBC Radio Solent. "He is a relaxed character and that is good for us to have that experience from a guy who has been there before and he can calm them down and get them to concentrate on their football.

"He is a big personality and big presence and you can certainly see his technical quality in training. I think he has improved the standard of training and I think he gives us all confidence knowing that he is there by our side and when we'll need him, we'll introduce him."

Jones is on the bench tonight.

What's wrong with Wigan?

It may be tempting to cast Wigan as a side that disintegrated once former manager Roberto Martinez left in 2013, but perhaps the real downfall has come with the abandonment of the club's managerial stability.

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Martinez was in place for four years between June 2009 and June 2013, but since then Wigan have been through three bosses - Owen Coyle, Uwe Rosler and now Malky Mackay.

"Wigan have gone through this really strange phase, where they used to be a club that didn't sack their manager very readily," says BBC football commentator John Motson.

"Obviously they've decided they want to start again and whoever gets the job will be doing it in League One."

Read more on Wigan's struggles here.

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Michael in Plymouth: Getting to the Premier League is a possibility for any club, staying there is the hard part! Says a Bolton fan feeling optimistic for next season with the best manager in the league!

Phil, Stafford: Are Wigan Pompey in disguise?

Brighton may have a nine-point advantage over Millwall in 22nd place but manager Chris Hughton is not resting on his laurels. Hughton feels with fives games to go his side could still be caught by those teams looking to avoid relegation.

"While there remains a nine-point difference between us and the bottom three, we can't take that cushion for granted - especially in this division," said Hughton. "With two games in four days, that gap can easily be cut to six points or even three points, so it's important we focus on what we do and pick up as many points as possible to finish as high as we can."

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Christopher Wilton: Tricky situation for @afcbournemouth as if we fail to go up, I fear that Eddie and a big chunk of our squad will go #nowornever

Latics on the slide

What's gone wrong at Wigan?

Getty Images

Perhaps it is more of a question of what went right at Wigan for so long? Under the stewardship of Dave Whelan the Latics rapidly climbed through the leagues to the Premier League and survived handsomely for eight seasons.

But after winning the FA Cup in 2013, they were relegated and are now staring at the third tier after a miserable season.

Wigan have won eight games all season and have 35 points. They are eight points adrift of safety and the average number of points needed to survive in the past five season has been 49...

Nabil Hassan

BBC Sport at the Amex Stadium

"Not many better places to play football in the Championship than the Amex Stadium with blue sky and a warm evening welcoming AFC Bournemouth on their arrival to Brighton's plush home.

"For Brighton tonight's game gives Chris Hughton's side another chance to pull themselves away from danger at the bottom of the table while victory for Bournemouth puts them within touching distance of the Premier League. The only flip-flops being worn here are those of the supporters after another scorcher on the south coast."

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Six seasons ago, while battling relegation from League Two, Bournemouth were regularly drawing crowds of around 5,000.

The season before Wigan won promotion to the Premier League in 2005 they were often watched by 7,000 people.

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If they can do it, can anyone?

Are the likes of Wigan, Swansea and Bournemouth proof that the Premier League is a realistic target for any Football League club? Or are you sure that you will never see your team in the top division again?

Let us know who you follow and whether you'll see them play in the Premier League - and why.

Get in touch at #bbcfootball, pop on to the BBC Sport Facebook page or BBC Sport's Google+ area.

You can also text us on 81111 in the UK only - don't forget to say who you are and where you are texting from.

Team News

Fulham make one change to their side as Jack Grimmer replaces former Newcastle man Danny Guthrie, while Wigan's new boss Gary Caldwell changes his goalkeeper.

Out goes Ali Al-Habsi, in comes Scott Carson. Jermaine Pennant also gets a recall.

Fulham XI: Bettinelli, Grimmer, Turner, Burn, Husband, Tunnicliffe, Hoogland, Parker, Kavanagh, McCormack, Smith

Wigan XI: Carson; Boyce, Maguire, Pearce, Bong; Kvist, Perch, Kim, Pennant, McClean; Fortune

Fulham FC

A lovely evening down on the Thames, as this picture from Fulham shows.

Boats are the whole reason we are playing tonight in fact - today's game was moved on account of tomorrow's Boat Races.

Team News

Brighton make three changes from the side beaten by Rotherham last time out as Leon Best, Inigo Calderon and Joao Carlos Teixeira start.

Leaders Bournemouth make just the one change - Marc Pugh in for Ryan Fraser on the left wing.

Brighton: Stockdale; Bruno, Halford, Dunk, Bennett; Stephens, Kayal; Calderon, Teixeira, Carayol; Best.

Bournemouth: Boruc, Daniels, Elphick, Cook, Francis, Pugh, Surman, Arter, Ritchie, Kermorgant, Wilson.

Meet the new boss

PA

In case you missed it this week, Wigan named former captain Gary Caldwell as their new manager, replacing Malky Mackay who was sacked on Monday.

Mackay was dismissed after a 2-0 home defeat by Derby, a result that left the Latics 23rd in the Championship and eight points from safety.

Ex-Scotland international Caldwell, 32, played 111 games for Wigan and was part of their 2013 FA Cup-winning squad.

He retired earlier this season because of a persistent hip injury. Is he the man to rebuild?

Cherries on top

Bournemouth in the Premier League?

PA

Just a few years ago the mere idea would have been dismissed as fantasy. But now the Cherries are closing in on a remarkable achievement just six years after that flirtation with a dip into non league.

Eddie Howe's side have scored a massive 87 goals in the league this season, winning 22 times to amass 77 points thus far.

Over the last five seasons, the average number of points needed to finish in the top two of the Championship has been 87. Win tonight and Bournemouth hit 80 with four games left...

'Enjoy it while it lasts...'

Six years ago Bournemouth were in the midst of a crisis.

Ravaged by administration, relegated to League Two and docked 17 points, their very Football League existence was at stake until Eddie Howe emerged as the unlikely saviour to steer them to safety. Since then, the only way has been up.

PA

At the same time Wigan were flying high, finishing 11th in the top flight. Just two years ago, they won the FA Cup.

But now the two sides are heading in very different directions. Should Bournemouth beat Brighton this evening, they will be on the verge of their own remarkable ascent of the Football League pyramid and a taste of the Premier League.

PA

Should Wigan lose at Fulham tonight, they could be facing up to a return to League One, 12 years after climbing out of it under Paul Jewell.

Football can be a fickle world...