Championship Review – Matchday 14

Leeds United returned to the top of the Championship after beating bottom-of-the-table Ipswich Town by two goals to nil at Elland Road on Wednesday evening.

Kemar Roofe put the hosts in front on twenty-two minutes, with Liam Cooper adding a second after the break to put the result beyond doubt.

The result was enough to see Marcelo Bielsa’s side to the summit on goal difference while Ipswich remain at the foot of the division having conceded one more goal that Hull City, who were narrowly beaten by Bristol City thanks to a ninetieth minute effort from Famara Diedhiou.

Middlesbrough are down to second after their goalless draw with Rotherham United while Sheffield United complete a trio of sides on twenty-six points after Joe Allen’s late strike gave Stoke City a share of the spoils at Brammal Lane.

Rampant

West Bromwich Albion are fourth and now level on points with Derby County after the Rams ran rampage at the Hawthorns on Wednesday evening.

Jack Marriot and Tom Lawrence put Frank Lampard’s side in cruise control by half-time with Harry Wilson and Scott Malone completing the rout before Jay Rodriguez’s late consolation.

Norwich City, West Brom and Derby are just two points off the top after following their win over Nottingham Forest with another come-from-behind victory, this time against Aston Villa.

Forest returned to winning ways, putting three past Bolton Wanderers – the goals coming from Joe Lolley and Lewis Grabban, who grabbed a brace and missed a penalty.

Form

Blackburn Rovers are just three points shy of the play-offs despite losing 3-1 to Swansea City, who are now just one point and one place behind Tony Mowbary’s men while Birmingham City continued their fine run of form by beating Reading by two goals to one.

After a goalless first half Gary Gardner and Lukas Jutkiewicz gave Garry Monk’s side a commanding lead, with Yakou Miete netting late for the Royals, who remain in the relegation zone.

Millwall have climbed out of the bottom three after beating Wigan Athletic 2-1 at the Den while Preston North End are up to nineteenth after coming out on top in a seven-goal thriller against Brentford at Deepdale.

Thriller

The hosts were three up inside twenty-three minutes though goals from Sergi Canos and Ollie Watkins inspired a comeback for the Bees.

However, Callum Robertson added a fourth for Preston before Neal Maupay completed the scoring five minutes from time.

Finally, Queens Park Rangers awful start to the season seems a long time ago after they eased to a 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday.

The Hoops can move to within a point of the play-off places with victory of Villa in Friday evening’s fixture and they can now be backed at 10/1 to finish in the top six.