Burnley continue their push for promotion as 2023 arrived in the Sky Bet Championship.
Ian Maatsen’s quick-fire brace saw Burnley prevail 2-1 at Swansea despite Oli Cooper netting a consolatory rebound strike for the Swans.
Sheffield United slipped five points behind the Clarets in second after John Egan’s injury-time equaliser rescued a 1-1 draw at QPR, who had led through Ilias Chair’s 11th minute strike from 25 yards.
Bradley Dack delivered a 48th minute winner via Jack Simpson’s deflection as third-placed Blackburn scraped a lucky win over Cardiff at Ewood Park, in what was the first second-tier match to be played in 2023.
Vakoun Bayo struck a 86th minute winner to lift Watford back up to fourth in a scrappy contest at Norwich.
Matt Crooks netted either side of Tahith Chong’s effort then created Chuba Akpom’s goal to complete a 3-1 away win for fifth-placed Middlesbrough against Birmingham City.
Tom Bradshaw’s brace coupled with a 66th minute own goal from Cameron Humphreys saw Millwall thrash Rotherham 3-0 at The Den, which saw Gary Rowett’s Lions round out the top six.
Down in the relegation zone, Wigan remain rock-bottom following a 4-1 defeat at home to Hull in which Tyler Smith struck a late brace for the Tigers, after Nathan Broadhead scored for the hosts either side of goals from Jacob Greaves and Oscar Estupinian.
Amari’i Bell and Reece Burke fired Luton to a comeback 2-1 victory away at second-bottom Huddersfield, after Duane Holmes had put the Terriers ahead in the 25th minute.
Ten-men Blackpool remain third-bottom after having been held to a 1-1 draw at home by Sunderland as Ross Stewart cancelled out Shayne Lavery’s opening goal, before the hosts saw Callum Connolly red carded for an injury-time foul.
Elsewhere, Daryl Dike nodded in a 60th minute winner as West Brom scraped a home victory over Reading to clinch an eighth win in their last nine matches.
Ched Evans headed in an injury-time winner to lift Preston up to tenth with a scrappy win at Stoke City.
Finally, Antoine Semenyo cancelled out Jake Bidwell’s opening goal as Bristol City fought back to snatch a 1-1 draw at Coventry.
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