Championship: Leeds blow two-goal lead as Sheffield United and Burnley both win

Leeds United saw their lead at the top of the Championship cut to just one point after a 3-3 draw away to struggling Hull City, in which they surrendered a two-goal lead.

The visitors had initially gone a goal down in the fifth minute, with Abu Kamara on hand to give Hull a lead that they held until after half-time.

Ao Tanaka got Leeds back on level terms just a minute into the second half with a wonderful strike, which was his first for the club and in English football.

His side found themselves two ahead by the 72nd minute and in charge of the match, through goals from Daniel James and Joel Piroe.

But the Tigers showed impressive character to drag themselves back into the contest, with Joao Pedro netting a rebound after Sean McLoughlin had hit the bar.

The comeback was complete in the 89th minute with Kamara getting his second of the day to earn his side a vital point, which leaves them third-bottom and inside the relegation zone on goal difference only.

Comeback confirmed #hcafc | @mscores_ pic.twitter.com/OMDRPCHjrC

— Hull City (@HullCity) January 4, 2025

Elsewhere, Sheffield United kept the pressure on the league leaders with a 2-1 victory away to Watford, which ended a three-match run without a league victory – their longest of the season.

Chris Wilder’s side went ahead through a Gustavo Hamer goal in the 13th minute but were pegged back just seven minutes later by Jeremy Ngakia’s first goal in English football.

They got their noses in front again seven minutes into the second half through Andre Brooks, and were able to hold on to the lead this time. Following the result, they are in third place and a point behind Leeds.

Watford, meanwhile, are ninth following their third straight defeat and fourth loss in five matches.

SUPER BLADESMEN! pic.twitter.com/yHcWtgHiTt

— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) January 4, 2025

Burnley were also able to put pressure on Leeds, with a 1-0 victory away to rivals Blackburn Rovers in one of the Championship’s early kick-offs on Saturday.

Zian Flemming got the decisive contribution on the hour in a tight contest at Ewood Park, flinging himself at a Bashir Humphreys delivery to head home.

While a draw would not have been unfair given Blackburn’s contribution – they fashioned 11 shots compared to Burnley’s four – the victory has Burnley in second place, trailing Leeds by a point. Blackburn drop to seventh, one point outside the play-off places.

Lancashire has shown its true colours.

It remains Claret & Blue pic.twitter.com/uVYvw5Zmee

— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) January 4, 2025

Sheffield Wednesday were another play-off chasing side who faltered on Saturday, drawing 2-2 with out-of-form Millwall at Hillsborough, despite having taken the lead and dominated much of the match.

Yan Valery had initially put the Owls ahead in the sixth minute and they wasted the chance to go further ahead, with Ike Ugbo sticking his first-half penalty over the bar.

The hosts were punished for not capitalising on their dominance when George Honeyman put Millwall level midway through the second half, and it got even worse for the home side when they went 2-1 down through Ryan Wintle with seven minutes to go.

Gabriel Otegbayo was able to rescue a point for Wednesday with an 85th-minute equaliser, with a point leaving them 10th in the Championship, three points back on sixth-placed West Brom. For Millwall, it is the first point of Alex Neil’s tenure, which has them 13th.

Full time at Hillsborough..#SHWMIL | @MrVegas_Casino pic.twitter.com/3ZDHjPNgta

— Sheffield Wednesday (@swfc) January 4, 2025

Forson Amankwah starred as Norwich City staged a second-half stoppage-time comeback to beat Coventry City 2-1, despite having trailed for the majority of the match.

Milan van Ewijk’s goal had given Frank Lampard’s side the lead in the 24th minute and they looked to be heading for a fourth game without defeat.

But the Canaries had other ideas, with Amankwah equalising in the 91st minute to break Sky Blue hearts.

It was to get even worse for the visitors, with Amankwah netting a 95th-minute winner to send Norwich 11th, while Coventry are 15th.