Championship wrap: Leeds sink QPR, Swansea drop

Max Gradel scored a brace as Leeds United moved into second in the English Championship with a 2-0 win over leaders Queens Park Rangers.

The Yorkshire giants, promoted from League One last season, climbed into an automatic promotion place thanks to Gradel’s double at Elland Road in front of just under 30,000 fans.

Those fans went home happy as QPR, unbeaten for 19 matches, lost their second in succession while Leeds extended their unbeaten record to nine.

Leeds took the lead when Gradel smashed home Jonny Howson’s clever header back across goal after 25 minutes and the former Leicester winger made sure of the result with a delightful second.

Gradel raced from inside his own half before cutting inside QPR defender Fitz Hall and finishing past Paddy Kenny.

It was a superb goal which capped off a superb performance from the hosts, with Howson, Neil Kilkenny and Robert Snodgrass going close to adding a third late.

Swansea City gave up their position inside the top two after they slumped to a surprise 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

With manager Gary Speed leaving during the week to take up a position with Wales, caretaker manager John Carver saw his side notch their first win in nearly a month.

Sunderland loanee Andy Reid provided the assist for former Manchester City striker Ched Evans to score the game’s solitary goal on the stroke of half-time.

Norwich are up to fifth after skipper Grant Holt’s last-gasp goal at Coventry secured a 2-1 away victory at the Ricoh Arena for Paul Lambert’s side.

Holt gave Norwich the lead after 64 minutes but Coventry equalised just nine minutes later.

Marlon King scored the goal that levelled proceedings and the striker thought he had secured the hosts a point before Holt’s late intervention, four minutes from time.

Reading have moved to seventh after a terrific 2-1 away win at Derby County.

Republic of Ireland striker Shane Long put Reading in front after 42 minutes from the penalty spot but Kris Commons’ 12th league goal of the season on the hour mark set the game up for an exciting finish.

Reading seemed destined to record their sixth successive draw, but snatched the win when Long struck the winner in the 87th minute.

In other matches, a Jay Simpson double fired Hull City to a 2-0 victory over Bristol City while Nottingham Forest eased to a 3-0 triumph over Crystal Palace.