Leeds return to top, Fulham lose ground and Warnock makes winning return

The weekend’s Championship action was littered with dismissals, as well as some shock results. Most significantly, a big win for Leeds United in the hunt for their long-awaited return to the Premier League came at a critical point in the season. Here we take a look at all the results and the ramifications.

The Friday night fixture

Brentford got the action underway on Friday night with another big win following last weeks victory over Fulham. This time they hosted table toppers West Brom, winning 1-0. Ollie Watkins’ goal in the 16th minute proved to be the difference. These crucial three points moved Brentford to within just five points off the top of the table and within range of automatic promotion.

The Saturday schedule

On Saturday, Leeds had to respond with a better performance than last week’s showing in Cardiff. This time they faced Scott Parkers’ Fulham, and they responded brilliantly, with an impressive 3-0 win. Goals from Patrick Bamford, Ezgjan Alioski and Jack Harrison gave the Elland Road side a crucial win that saw them move top of the table. Neeskens Kebano got a red card late on for Fulham after a second yellow.

Elsewhere on Saturday play-off chasers Preston North End and Cardiff went face-to-face, the Bluebirds coming out on top for their second win since the resumption. Nathaniel Mendez-Laing put the Welsh club in the lead with just eight minutes remaining. Robert Glatzel went on to make it 3-1 in injury time. The win keeps Cardiff in the final play-off spot, three points ahead of Preston.

Derby kept their Championship play-off hopes alive with a 2-1 home win over Reading, a Tom Lawrence strike and a Wayne Rooney penalty, both in the first half, enough to secure all three points. Both teams were, however, reduced to 10 men after the final whistle. A confrontation between Lawrence and Matt Miazga saw both players sent off and marred a good day for Derby.

Elsewhere on Saturday, relegation threatened Charlton secured a 1-0 win over QPR, experienced midfielder Darren Pratley scoring the only goal of the game after just 12 minutes. The away side failed to register a single shot on target.

Bottom of the table Barnsley picked up a valuable point against promotion chasers Millwall, the two sides played out a lacking in quality 0-0 draw. Middlesbrough collected an important three points as they defeated Stoke City 2-0. Goals from Marcus Tavernier and Ashley Fletcher earning new boss Neil Warnock his first win as Boro’ boss. During the game, Stoke joined the host of sides to have a man dismissed when Nick Powell was sent off in the 89th minute.

Neil Warnock managed Cardiff city to promotion in his last Championship role

Two late Wigan goals dented Blackburn’s promotion hopes, Lee Evans and Michael Jacobs earning the points for the home side.

Luton Town beat Swansea in a disappointing game for Swans fans, especially given the home advantage. A 72nd minute James Collins goal enough to give the Hatters all three points and keep their survival hopes alive. Jordan Garrick received a straight red card for the Swans who stay 10th.

The game of the day however came at St Andrews as Birmingham and Hull City played out a 3-3 thriller. Hull, currently facing a crisis with numerous players refusing to return to action over contract issues, took a surprise two-goal lead inside the opening 20 minutes. Goals from Josh Magennis and 19 year old James Scott giving the away side a half time cushion. Birmingham clicked into shape after half time and were level through Gary Gardener and Dan Crowley strikes. On loan Liverpool midfielder Herbie Kane fired Hull back into the lead, only for Gardener again to pop up for the Blues with minutes remaining. Hull now sit in 21st place, just outside the drop zone.

The Sunday scenes

On Sunday Bristol City could not turn their recent slump around and were beaten 2-1 at home against Sheffield Wednesday. Connor Wickham and Massimo Luongo putting the Yorkshire club two goals up before Nahki Wells gave City hope. Bristol City failed to find an equaliser and are now five points behind the play-off places.

In the afternoon kick off Nottingham Forest cemented their hold on a play-off place. They sank Huddersfield Town deep into trouble in the process, the home side running out 3-1 winners. A brace from Lewis Grabban before a Ryan Yates strike put the game beyond Huddersfield. Referee David Webb then dismissed Juninho Bacuna with just minutes left.

This midweek sees a full schedule of Championship fixtures starting tonight.

We hope you enjoyed the article ‘Championship Roundup: Leeds Back to Winning Ways’. Will this finally be the year Leeds get promoted? Let us know!

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