Plymouth Argyle were terrific as they beat playoff-chasing Sunderland, while Leicester City added yet another win to their season. These were just two huge results in the EFL Championship this weekend.
In an unusual weekend of Championship football, there were 32 goals and no goalless draws. League leaders Leicester had lost just three games all season and, with a win against Watford, passed the 40-point mark!
Meanwhile, brilliant Birmingham City got their first win under Wayne Rooney to ease some of the pressure on the former Derby County.
Let’s take a look at how each game unfolded in the Championship this weekend, with all 24 teams in action.
Plymouth Argyle 2-0 Sunderland
Only one place to begin this week and that’s at Home Park where 19th-placed Plymouth Argyle beat sixth-placed Sunderland. Morgan Whittaker opened the scoring in the 24th minute before Finn Azaz added a second just before halftime. The game ended with the Pilgrims getting a huge three points, while the Black Cats were forced to make a 400-mile return to the North East.
Birmingham City 2-1 Sheffield Wednesday
Next, we travel to St. Andrew’s for Wayne Rooney’s first win as Birmingham City boss. However, bottom-of-the-table Sheffield Wednesday did open the scoring through George Byers before Juninho Bacuna equalised for the Blues just before half-time. Jordan James struck in the 81st minute to get under-pressure Rooney his first win in the dugout.
Leicester City 2-0 Watford
Leicester are back to winning ways after their mini blip in form where they lost two consecutive matches to Leeds United and Middlesbrough respectively. Jamie Vardy was at the double as he got both goals for the Foxes to earn Enzo Maresca’s side their 14th win of the season. Watford goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann was sent off late-on for a second yellow card to cap off a disappointing night for the Hornets.
Rotherham United 1-1 Leeds United
On Friday evening, two Yorkshire sides locked horns as Leeds United visited Rotherham United. The points were shared in this one as Cryscenio Summerville opened the scoring for the Whites before Hakeem Odoffin equalised for the home side. The visitors will certainly be more disappointed with the result than the managerless Millers.
Bristol City 3-2 Middlesbrough
In a pulsating fixture that produced five goals, Bristol City edged past Middlesbrough in Liam Manning’s first home game as head coach of the Robins. Taylor Gardner-Hickman and Tommy Sykes got the home side going before a Zak Vyner own goal and a Matt Crooks strike drew the sides level, before Mark Sykes hit a brilliant winner in the 67th minute.
Huddersfield Town 1-1 Southampton
Huddersfield Town earned what could prove to be a crucial point this season against promotion-hopefuls Southampton. Adam Armstrong opened the scoring for the away side before Ben Jackson hit a late equaliser for the Terriers as the shares were spoiled/
Millwall 0-3 Coventry City
Clinical Coventry City ruined Joe Edwards’ first home match as Millwall boss. The away side were brilliant on the break, with Matt Godden, Tatsuhiro Sakamoto and Ben Sheaf all scoring to clinch the victory for the Sky Blues.
Norwich City 1-0 Queens Park Rangers
Norwich City gave under pressure David Wagner a crucial three points as they beat a struggling Queens Park Rangers side 1-0. Ui-Jo Hwang bagged the only goal of the game in the 21st minute as the Canaries moved up to 13th.
Preston North End 1-2 Cardiff City
The Bluebirds came out on top on a cold day in Lancashire against ten-man Preston. Milutin Osmajic opened the scoring for the away side before Robbie Brady saw red for the hosts! Karlan Grant and Ike Ugbo then completed the smash-and-grab as the Welsh outfit moved to within a point of Ryan Lowe’s men.
Stoke City 0-3 Blackburn Rovers
Brilliant Blackburn Rovers beat a sloppy Stoke City in this one-sided game. Scott Wharton, Andrew Moran and Sammie Szmodics scored the goals for the Lancashire side to put the 2-1 defeat in the Lancashire Derby behind them.
Swansea City 2-2 Hull City
Hull City impressively rescued a point in Wales after being 2-0 down. Jamie Patterson and Jerry Yates bagged the goals for the home side before Jadene Philogene-Bidace and Tyler Morton salvaged the day for the Tigers who moved above Sunderland.
West Bromwich Albion 2-0 Ipswich Town
And finally, in the late kick-off on Saturday, Darnell Furlong and Grady Diangana scored the goals as West Bromwich Albion shocked second-placed Ipswich Town, who failed to take advantage of Leeds’ dropped points on Friday.
