The EFL Championship proved how intriguing it is again this weekend, throwing up a hatful of goals, as we reach the business end of the season, including eight goals at Southampton.
Sheffield Wednesday boosted their chances of survival with a crucial win, Leeds United thumped their Yorkshire rivals Rotherham United and Blackburn Rovers impressed in front of new boss John Eustace.
Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 Birmingham City
We begin with Friday evening’s action, as strugglers Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham City met at Hillsborough.
Ike Ugbo proved to be the difference, scoring twice for 23rd-placed Wednesday, who now are just five points behind Yorkshire neighbours Huddersfield Town and safety.
Ipswich Town 2-2 West Bromwich Albion
On to the Saturday lunchtime game, where fourth played fifth, with West Bromwich Albion visiting Ipswich Town.
Twice the Tractor Boys came from behind, Tom Fellows opened the scoring for the visitors before Nathan Broadhead equalised. John Swift then gave the Baggies the lead, before Omari Hutchinson rescued a point for the hosts deep into added time.
Southampton 5-3 Huddersfield Town
Southampton survived a scare as they ran out winners against a spirited Huddersfield Town side.
Sorba Thomas and David Kasumu put the visitors in charge before Joe Rothwell scored twice in two minutes including a thunderbolt of a volley. Alex Matos then made it 3-2 to the Terriers before a Tom Lees own goal, Sekou Mara and Samuel Edozie secured the points for the second-placed Saints.
Blackburn Rovers 3-1 Stoke City
Rampant Rovers are sure to have impressed new boss John Eustace as they brushed aside Stoke City.
Tyrhys Dolan scored twice, either side of a Sammie Szmodics header, before former Rovers striker Niall Ennis scored a consolation for the visitors. All the goals came in the first 39 minutes in this one. Daniel Johnson had a tame penalty saved early in the second half for the Potters.
Cardiff City 0-2 Preston North End
Preston North End had a fruitful day in Wales as they backed up their impressive win last time out against Ipswich, running out comfortable winners against Cardiff City.
Emil Riis opened the scoring with his first goal since 2022, before Ben Whiteman made the points secure for the Lancashire side.
Leeds United 3-0 Rotherham United
Leeds United tightened their grip on third position, with a convincing win against Yorkshire rivals Rotherham United.
Patrick Bamford opened the scoring for the Whites, before Crysensio Summerville scored twice to give the home side the three points. The Millers remain rooted firmly to the foot of the table as relegation begins to look a formality.
Middlesbrough 1-2 Bristol City
Bristol City scored twice within two minutes to beat Middlesbrough in this mid-table clash.
Jason Knight and Matty James scored for the visitors in the 16th and 17th minute respectively, before Samuel Silvera bagged the home team a consolation in added on time. Both teams are now tied on 41 points, six behind sixth-placed Coventry City.
Sunderland 3-1 Plymouth Argyle
Sunderland climbed temporarily into the play-off positions with a win against a Plymouth Argyle side, who had done a round trip of over 800 miles.
Ryan Hardie opened the scoring for the visitors but in truth that’s as good as it got for them. Pierre Ekwah, Jack Clarke and a wonderful solo goal from Jobe Bellingham claimed the three points for the home side.
Watford 1-2 Leicester City
Leicester City won their fourth in a row in all competitions as they visited mid-table Watford.
A Patson Daka penalty opened the scoring for the league leaders before Ricardo Perreira made it two. Emmanuel Dennis with the reply for the home side, but it eventually proved to be in vain.
The Best Of The Rest
Queens Park Rangers gained what could prove to be a vital point as they drew 2-2 with playoff-chasing Norwich City. Swansea City ran out winners in a close encounter on Humberside beating Hull City 1-0 and Coventry City came from behind to beat Millwall 2-1 to move back into the play-off places.
The Championship continues with games in midweek, as the fixtures show no signs of easing up, with yet more fascinating matches.
