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Leeds United took a significant step towards a return to the Premier League after edging Preston 2-1 at Elland Road on Saturday, climbing back to the top of the Championship table.
Daniel Farke’s side reclaimed first place from Burnley on goal difference, following the Clarets’ narrow 2-1 win over Norwich the previous evening. Relegated from the top flight just last season, Leeds now hold a five-point cushion over third-placed Sheffield United with four matches remaining.
Manor Solomon put Leeds in front with a stunning opener, only for Kaine Kesler-Hayden to level for Preston in a frantic start to proceedings. However, Jayden Bogle struck shortly after to restore Leeds’ advantage in what proved to be the decisive goal.
The result intensified pressure on promotion rivals Sheffield United, whose hopes of automatic elevation suffered a major blow with a 2-1 loss at relegation-threatened Plymouth. Despite taking the lead through Jesurun Rak-Sakyi before the interval, the Blades crumbled late on. Goals from Ryan Hardie and Muhamed Tijani turned the tie on its head at Home Park, condemning the visitors to a third consecutive defeat and denting their top-two ambitions.
Elsewhere, Millwall kept their play-off hopes alive with a crucial 1-0 win over Middlesbrough. Camiel Neghli’s second-half strike secured a third successive victory for the Lions and moved them within two points of sixth-placed Coventry, who travel to Hull on Monday.
Sunderland, sitting fourth, slipped to a rare home defeat as Ben Cabango’s close-range effort handed Swansea a 1-0 win at the Stadium of Light.
Bristol City held onto fifth spot despite being held to a 1-1 draw by QPR, while West Bromwich Albion revitalised their play-off push with a much-needed 2-1 win over Watford. Karlan Grant opened the scoring for the Baggies, and Mikey Johnston doubled the lead before Moussa Sissoko replied for the visitors.
At the foot of the table, drama unfolded at Fratton Park where Portsmouth and Derby shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw. Rob Atkinson dramatically headed home a stoppage-time equaliser before being credited with an own goal at the other end.
Oxford United boosted their survival hopes with a narrow 1-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday, thanks to Sam Long’s decisive second-half header.
Ten-man Blackburn ended their eight-match winless run with a gritty 1-0 win over second-bottom Luton, while Cardiff’s struggles continued with a 1-0 defeat at Stoke. The match was marred by a 23-minute delay due to a medical emergency in the stands. Will Fish’s late own goal proved the difference, lifting Stoke two points clear of the relegation zone.
