Roundup of latest Championship action as 2025 began with surprises at both ends of the table.
Leeds United stayed top despite being held to a 1-1 draw at home to Blackburn, as Pascal Struijk’s 88th-minute penalty was cancelled out by Danny Batth’s close-range equaliser just two minutes later.
Wilson Isidor netted a 35th-minute winner as fourth-placed Sunderland beat Sheffield United 2-1 at home, after Eliezer Mayenda put the Black Cats in front only for Luke O’Nien’s own-goal to briefly pull the Blades level.
Burnley consequently moved above Sheffield Utd on goal difference despite a goalless draw at home to Stoke, during which Hannibal Mejbri was red carded for a stamp on Junior Tchamadeu.
Middlesbrough climbed to fifth through Alex Gilbert’s close-range 93rd minute winner in a hard-fought 1-0 win at third-bottom Hull.
West Brom rounded out the top six with a 3-1 home win over Preston in which Josh Maja netted either side of Callum Styles’ effort, despite Ryan Ledson’s second-half consolatory goal for the Lilywhites.
Down in the relegation zone, Rami Al Hajj and Julio Pleguezuelo rescued rock-bottom Plymouth a 2-2 draw against Bristol City following Wayne Rooney’s exit, amidst Anis Mehmeti and Jason Knight having put the Robins ahead twice.
Cardiff slipped to second bottom following a 1-1 draw against Coventry in which Callum Robinson was sent off, after Alex Robertson’s opener was cancelled out by Tatsuhiro Sakamoto’s equaliser.
Portsmouth climbed out of the bottom three at Hull’s expense following a 4-0 home demolition of Swansea, as Josh Murphy opened the scoring then assisted Colby Bishop’s effort whilst Paddy Lane and Ryley Towler were too on the scoresheet.
Luton sat two points above the drop following a 1-0 home defeat to Norwich through Marcelino Nunez’s 73rd-minute strike.
Elsewhere, Michael Frey, Jimmy Dunne and Sam Field netted for QPR in a 3-1 victory at home to Watford, despite Kwadwo Baah briefly threatening a Hornets comeback from 2-0 down.
Ruben Rodrigues’s 57th-minute header saw Oxford United scrape victory at Millwall, as the Lions suffered defeat in their first game under new manager – Alex Neil.
Josh Windass’s wonder strike plus goals from Barry Bannan, Djeidi Gassama and Anthony Musaba saw Sheffield Wednesday beat Derby 4-2, although Jerry Yates and Ebou Adams struck for the Rams.
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