After a dramatic week surrounding SpyGate, Leeds United’s lead at top of Sky Bet Championship is down to a single point following defeat at Stoke.
A poor headed clearance from Mateusz Klich early in second half allowed Sam Clucas to fire the Potters ahead, which they then extended two minutes from time when Joe Allen poked in a low cross from James McLean.
Ezgjan Alioski however handed the Whites a consolation in injury time when he slotted in Pablo Hernandez’s cross to half the deflict but Stoke held on for a 2-1 win.
Norwich therefore are now just behind Leeds after beating Birmingham 3-1 with all four goals coming in a crazy 12 minute spell midway through first half.
West Brom moved into third after seeing off Bolton Wanderers through goals from Jay Rodriguez and Sam Field, leaving the Trotters second bottom and three points from safety.
As a result of the Baggies’ win, Sheffield United fall to fourth after Oli McBurnie’s tap in from a Nathan Dyer pass handed Swansea a shock win as they moved ninth.
Both West Brom and the Blades are three points off second-placed Norwich but ahead of Middlesbrough by same margin, after the Teessiders were held to a 1-1 home draw by Millwall.
Derby followed up their shock FA Cup replay victory by seeing off third-bottom Reading through a Harry Wilson brace to remain sixth and in final play-off spot, despite conceding when Sone Aluko fired in a through ball from Ovie Ejaria midway through second half.
Embed from Getty ImagesElsewhere, Martin O’Neil was unveiled as new Nottingham Forest manager last week but could only watch his new side fall to a home defeat when Famara Diedhiou handed Bristol City victory in a tightly fought match.
At Villa Park, Hull blew a two goal lead to draw with Aston Villa after James Chester’s header and a slot in from Tammy Abraham cancelled out brilliant strikes by Jarrod Bowen and Evandro for the Tigers.
Tony Mowbray’s Blackburn beat his former Ipswich side through a Danny Graham penalty and Joe Nuttall tap in, leaving the Tractor Boys still rock bottom.
QPR and Rotherham meanwhile suffered home thrashings at the hands of Preston and Brentford, losing 4-1 and 4-2 respectively.
Finally, Steven Fletcher’s second half strike handed Sheffield Wednesday a slender win over Wigan.
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