West Bromwich Albion reclaimed top spot from Leeds United in a high scoring weekend of Championship action
Birmingham City initially led through headers from Lukas Jutkiewicz and Harlee Dean either side of Grady Diangana’s tap-in, only for a late Charlie Austin brace to secure West Brom not just victory but also top spot.
Leeds consequently dropped to second after finding themselves on the receiving end of a six goal thriller.
Embed from Getty ImagesEarly first-half strikes from Helder Costa and Patrick Bamford had Leeds in firm control, which became even more secure after Bamford dispatched a 52nd minute following a foul by Neil Etheridge.
A mistake by Kiko Casilla then allowed Lee Tomlin to reduce Cardiff’s deficit, before Sean Morrison headed in the Bluebirds’ second but was sent off minutes later for a late tackle on Eddie Nketiah.
Robert Glatzel then completed the Bluebirds’ comeback when he slotted in from Tomlin’s headed pass to snatch a point, leaving Leeds two points behind the Baggies at the Championship summit.
Embed from Getty ImagesPreston moved back up to third after Jayden Stockley struck a late winner to defeat Luton, who had initially equalised through James Collins’ penalty to cancel out Paul Gallagher’s opener.
Brentford climbed above Fulham to fourth through Bryan Mbeumo’s header from Said Benrahma, which saw the Cottagers slip to sixth.
Jordan Rhodes netted a first-half hat-trick as Sheffield Wednesday smashed Nottingham Forest in a dominant display, which was capped off by Steven Fletcher’s injury time strike just before the break to send the Owls fifth.
Down in the relegation zone, Barnsley remain rock-bottom despite Conor Chaplin’s hat-trick helping them to an entertaining 5-3 victory over QPR.
Wigan still sit above the Tykes after seeing Josh Windass’ opener cancelled out by Karlan Grant in a draw with Huddersfield.
Stoke meanwhile held Reading to a goalless draw as the Potters sit above Wigan on goal difference, and two points from safety.
Embed from Getty ImagesElsewhere, Andre Ayew grabbed a brace as Swansea defeated nine men Middlesbrough 3-1, with the Teessiders seeing Marcus Browne and Paddy McNair red-carded for sepparate incidents.
Blackburn made it six games unbeaten after strikes from Bradley Johnson and Adam Armstrong secured victory over Bristol City at Ashton Gate.
Dillon Phillips’ own goal header rescued Hull a point as they twice came from behind to eventually draw 2-2 at Charlton on Friday night.
Finally, Tom Bradshaw struck Millwall’s first-half winner as Gary Rowett enjoyed another victorious return to his former club – Derby.
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