Championship Review – Matchday 7

Leeds United are back at the top of the Championship, but they left it late to clinch victory at struggling Barnsley on Sunday afternoon.

Eddie Nketiah finally gave the title favourites the lead with six minutes left on the clock, while Mateusz Klich made absolutely sure of the result by converting a penalty shortly after.

Marcelo Bielsea’s men now lead the pack on goal difference while Barnsley, who have taken just two points since their surprise opening day victory over Fulham have slipped into the bottom three.

Swansea City are down to second place after losing to in form Nottingham Forest, and it was another late goal that did the damage – substitute Alfa Semedo the hero.

Form

Sabri Lamouchi’s side have not tasted defeat since they were narrowly beaten by West Bromwich Albion on matchday one, and no second tier side have lost fewer games in their last twelve outings.

Forest fans won’t be carried away after more than one false dawn in the two decades since they were last in the top flight, but you can back them for promotion at a price of 6/1.

Charlton Athletic remain just two points off the top despite losing at home to Birmingham City, while Bristol City are up to fourth after coming from behind to pile more misery on bottom-of-the-table Stoke City.

Preston North End continued their fine run of late by beating Brentford 2-0 at Deepdale while West Bromwich Albion complete the play-off places despite only drawing at fellow promotion hopefuls Fulham in Saturday’s early kick-off.

Surprise

Arguably the surprise package of the season so far – Queens Park Rangers are knocking at the door, though they had a nervous finish to their game with Luton Town, who pulled two back to eventually lose by just one goal at Loftus Road.

Garry Monk beat Danny Cowley in the battle of the new managers – Sheffield Wednesday up to ninth while Huddersfield Town remain second from bottom on just the one point.

Blackburn Rovers leapfrogged opponents Millwall into the top half after beating them by two goals to nil while Middlesbrough are just a point behind Tony Mowbary’s side after they extended their unbeaten run to four with victory over Reading – Marvin Johnson’s strike on the hour mark the only goal of the game.

Level

Derby County and Cardiff City both extended their winless runs after sharing the spoils at Pride Park on Friday evening, while it was also honours even at the KCOM Stadium where Hull City and Wigan Athletic scored two-a-piece.
The two sides are twentieth and twenty-first respectively, with Derby one of four teams just above them tied on seven points with seven games played.