Roundup of a hectic matchweek of action as the 2023-24 Championship season nears its conclusion.
With Ipswich not in action this matchweek, Leicester and Leeds looked to both boost their promotion ambitions, whilst the battle for survival produced more twists.
Weekend
Goals from Wilfried Ndidi and Jamie Vardy saw Leicester go top with a 2-1 home win over fifth-placed West Brom.
Crysencio Summerville’s brace plus goals from Patrick Bamford and Wilfried Gnonto saw Leeds move up to second with a tense 4-3 win at Middlesbrough, who initially led through Isiah Jones whilst Emmanuel Latte Lath scored twice for the hosts.
Ipswich weren’t in action this weekend after their trip to Coventry was postponed due to the Sky Blues’ involvement in the FA Cup semi-finals – which ended in heartbreak after VAR drama and a penalty shootout.
Second-half goals from Famara Diedhiou and Cian Ashford saw Cardiff come from behind to beat fourth-placed Southampton 2-1, after Joe Aribo had put the Saints into a 12th minute lead.
Borja Sainz’s equaliser saw sixth-placed Norwich snatch a 1-1 draw at home to Bristol City, after Haydon Roberts had put the Robins ahead at Carrow Road.
Down in the relegation zone, relegated Rotherham drew 0-0 at home to Birmingham City after the match was stopped early on due to a medical emergency in the stands.
Sheffield Wednesday climbed out of the bottom three at Birmingham’s expense after a 3-1 win at Blackburn, through Marvin Johnson’s second-half strike and Aynsley Pears’ own-goal after Josh Windass’ opening goal had been cancelled out by Sammie Szmodics.
Huddersfield slid to second-bottom following a 4-0 home loss to Swansea as Jamal Lowe, Ronald, Jerry Yates and Liam Walsh struck late for the visitors.
Plymouth sit two points above the drop after a 3-0 loss at Stoke during which Ki-Jana Hoever, Million Manhoef and Wouter Burger scored for the Potters.
Elsewhere, Duncan Watmore’s 71st minute winner against his former team – Sunderland – secured Millwall’s survival.
Lyndon Dykes netted a 20th minute winner as QPR edged past Preston at Loftus Road to the cusp of safety.
Hull’s play-off ambitions took a dent with a goalless draw at Watford as Ozan Tufan’s early penalty was saved.
Midweek
Abdul Fatawu’s hat-trick saw Leicester move onto the brink of promotion with a 5-0 home win over Southampton, with Ndidi and Vardy again on the scoresheet with one goal apiece.
Coventry’s play-off ambitions were all but mathematically ended with a 3-2 home defeat to Hull as Noah Ohio netted a 78th minute winner for the Tigers, after Kasey Palmer and Bobby Thomas had cancelled out goals from Jaden Philogene and Fabio Carvalho.
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