The second gear powers shine in Championship

The victory made it fourth successive wins for the Leeds United team and lifted them back up to top in the Championship, although they later reverted to second after Norwich City won 3-2 over Hull City at home on Wednesday night.

Another championship club, Sheffield United in the top three, who are strongly fancied to challenge the title this season, put down markers with impressive successive 2-0 win in their midweek game of their back-to-back home games. 

Sheffield United won 2-0 at home while manager-less West Bromwich Albion demolished Swansea City 3-0 at the Hawthorns.

Another Sheffield side, Sheffield Wednesday were too good for an financial troublesome Bolton side under new manager Steve Bruce by winning 2-0. 

Ipswich’s Andre Dozzell went past the challenges from Bristol City to put a cross with their opponent’s Lloyd Kelly’s touch into the net to pull one back and level the game.

Rotherham have won only one away game in the league – at Loftus Road – of their last 19, and manager Paul Warne was delighted with their showing in second-half and a 95th-minute lead.

The gap (now 3 points) between 5th to 7th has been cut to the bone as Middlesbrough lost back-to-back home games. Pulis, meanwhile, will know he has much to do before going into a difficult last Play-off place challenge with the 8th place Aston Villa this weekend who beat another promotion rival Nottingham Forest by 3-1 in City Ground. 

Earlier, Blackburn strolled to what could be called a massive 3-0 victory over Wigan Athletic. For they have now ended a seven-game winless run.

Ben Thompson, who joined Portsmouth earlier this season, was on target twice in first half, giving Neil Harris’ side the timely boost before switching their focus to FA cup. Millwall won 2-0 away to Birmingham and eased some pressure of relegation.

Jack Butland’s safe guarding in front of goal proved that they claim a point in Derby. Stoke City had not conceded a goal in their last three matches.