Dan James celebrated his 100th appearance for Leeds United with a pivotal goal in their 3-1 victory over Middlesbrough at Elland Road, propelling the team back to the top of the Championship table. Wilfried Gnonto opened the scoring for Leeds, only for Max Wöber’s own goal to level the match. James restored the lead in the second half, and Brenden Aaronson sealed the win with a late strike in added time.
Elsewhere, Sunderland snatched a dramatic 1-1 draw against Bristol City at the Stadium of Light, preserving their unbeaten home record this season. Bristol City took the lead in the 63rd minute through Luke McNally after a defensive lapse from the hosts. Sunderland, who had a first-half penalty appeal waved away, found their equalizer in stoppage time when Patrick Roberts fired home to rescue a point.
At Turf Moor, Burnley were held to a goalless draw by a resilient Derby County side. Burnley’s players and fans were left frustrated after a strong penalty appeal was dismissed when Nat Phillips appeared to handle a cross-shot from Josh Brownhill. Despite dominating possession and creating several opportunities, Burnley were unable to break the deadlock. The draw helped Derby end a three-match losing streak and provided a much-needed confidence boost, though the team remains winless in six games.
Blackburn continued their impressive run of form with a narrow 1-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough. Substitute Makhtar Gueye scored the only goal of the game, ensuring Blackburn’s fifth consecutive win and fourth successive clean sheet. This result marked Sheffield Wednesday’s first defeat since their derby loss to Sheffield United a month prior.
Luton secured a vital 2-1 victory over Stoke City at Kenilworth Road, ending their three-game winless streak. Tom Cannon put Stoke ahead early, piling pressure on Luton’s manager, but Carlton Morris and Elijah Adebayo turned the game around with decisive goals. Adebayo’s winner came in the 90th minute, lifting Luton five points clear of the relegation zone. Stoke, meanwhile, remain in 16th place.
Swansea City defeated Plymouth 2-1, ending the hosts’ six-match unbeaten home run and leaving them in 23rd place. Jay Fulton gave Swansea the lead just before halftime with a well-placed strike following a cross from Josh Tymon. Liam Cullen doubled the advantage on the hour mark. Although Mustapha Bundu pulled one back for Plymouth, they were unable to find an equalizer, leaving them above only Hull City in the standings.
Portsmouth climbed out of the relegation zone for the first time since August with a 0-0 draw against Norwich City at Fratton Park. Both teams, known for their recent scoring exploits, surprisingly failed to produce the anticipated goalfest. Portsmouth, buoyed by a four-match unbeaten run and back-to-back clean sheets, looked more likely to score but could not find a breakthrough. Norwich, despite their high-scoring reputation, failed to create clear opportunities to test Portsmouth’s defense.
The Championship action showcased dramatic moments, pivotal goals, and key points for teams fighting at both ends of the table. Leeds reasserted their title challenge, Sunderland maintained their home fortress, and teams like Luton and Portsmouth made strides to secure their survival, while Blackburn and Swansea celebrated crucial victories. Meanwhile, Burnley and Derby provided a reminder of the fine margins that can define a season in England’s fiercely competitive second tier.
