Mighty Middlesbrough, Sumptuous Southampton & Luscious Leeds – Championship Round-up

Mighty Middlesbrough shocked league leaders Leicester City, winning 2-1 away at the King Power Stadium whilst Leeds United and Southampton both recorded 2-0 wins to keep up their hopes of automatic promotion.

The Championship continues to impress, with 30 goals across the 12 fixtures. There was big results at both ends of the table, where the relegation battle appears as if it will run right until the end of the season.

We begin our action with Friday evening’s match:

West Bromwich Albion 0-2 Southampton

David Brooks and Ryan Fraser hit the goals for the visitors after West Bromwich Albion manager Carlos Corberan was sent off controversially for stopping the ball when he thought it had gone out of play for a throw-in.

West Brom’s best chances both came through John Swift, a 25-yard driven shot that went just wide and a free kick which whistled over the crossbar. This result sent Saints second, albeit temporarily.

Plymouth Argyle 0-2 Leeds United

Leeds United retook second place in Saturday’s early kick-off and despite setting off extremely early, they weren’t caught napping at Home Park.

Wilfried Gnonto and Georginio Rutter were both on the scoresheet for Daniel Farke’s team. The home side’s best chances fell to Morgan Whittaker and Ryan Hardie but they couldn’t find the net.

Birmingham City 2-1 Sunderland

Birmingham City battled to a win against a faltering Sunderland in the West Midlands. Jack Clarke opened the scoring for the Black Cats before Jordan James and Koji Miyoshi responded to win the three points for the home side.

Michael Beale’s team have now recorded back-to-back defeats which have seen them fall to 10th in the table.

Bristol City 0-1 Queens Park Rangers

Ilias Chair scored the winning goal for QPR at Ashton Gate against a poor Bristol City side. This result means they’re just one point behind Millwall and potential safety.

Jason Knight had the Robins’ best chance but fired narrowly wide as they looked a shadow of the side who beat Southampton in midweek.

Huddersfield Town 1-2 Hull City

Hull City came out victorious in this Yorkshire derby at the John Smith Stadium.

Jacob Greaves opened the scoring and that’s how it stayed until an action-packed final four minutes of stoppage time. Jack Rudoni thought he’d rescued a point for the home side but Greaves had the final say as he hit his second of the afternoon, winning it for the Tigers with one of the final kicks of the match.

Leicester City 1-2 Middlesbrough

Runaway league leaders Leicester City had a rare off day in this one. The visitors were impressive and Finn Azaz and Samuel Silvera both scored in the first half for the impressive Boro.

The Foxes did get a consolation when Andy Cannon played a through ball to Jamie Vardy, who calmly slotted past visiting keeper Tom Glover.

Millwall 0-2 Sheffield Wednesday

Sheffield Wednesday took themselves to within four points of safety with an impressive display down at Millwall. Ike Ugbo and Anthony Musaba scored the goals before Ashley Fletcher was sent off for picking up two yellow cards in the space of just two minutes.

The Lions best chance fell to Tom Bradshaw but he headed wide. They’ve now lost six of their last seven league games and are a single point above the drop-zone.

Norwich City 4-1 Cardiff City

An impressive home display saw Norwich City hit four for the second time this week, this time against Cardiff City. Jamilu Collins hit the opener for the visitors, but that’s as good as it got.

Josh Sargent (2), Gabriel Sara and Christian Faasnacht responded without reply for the unforgiving home side.

Preston North End 2-2 Blackburn Rovers

The points were shared in this Lancashire derby, giving John Eustace his first point since taking over at Rovers.

League top scorer Sammie Szmodics and Sam Gallagher handed the visitors a two-goal leade before Robbie Brady and Emil Riis Jakobsen responded for Preston North End, who will surely be the happier team to take a draw.

Rotherham United 0-1 Watford

Watford scrapped to a win against bottom-of-the-table Rotherham United, who are now 14 points from safety.

Yaser Asprilla scored the only goal of the game. Seb Revan had the home side’s best chance but fired just wide. Andy Rinomhota went down in the box early in the second half for the hosts but the ref waved play on.

Stoke City 0-1 Coventry City

Sixth-placed Coventry City are one of the form sides in the division, taking seven points from a possible nine, including Saturday’s 1-0 win at Stoke.

Ellis Simms scored the only goal in this one six minutes into the second half, with Callum O Hare providing the assist. Million Manhoef had the home side’s best chance but hit the side netting.

Swansea City 1-2 Ipswich Town

Swansea City have taken just three points from a possible 15 but did put up a fight against promotion chasers Ipswich Town.

Nathan Broadhead opened the scoring for the visitors before Jerry Yates equalised for the Welsh side. Conor Chaplin scored the winner just after the half-hour mark, as all the goals came in the first half.

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