Leeds United are top of a tightening Championship table after a dominant 2-0 win over bottom club Ipswich Town at Elland Road.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side, who move above Middlesbrough and Sheffield United on goal difference, took the lead after 22 minutes when Pablo Hernández arced an inch-perfect cross from the right to find Kemar Roofe, who timed his leap superbly to head home his fifth goal of the season. Midway through the second half a short corner routine resulted in Liam Cooper finding space to sidefoot powerfully in from the edge of the area to double his side’s lead.
Leeds also leapfrog West Brom, who fluffed the chance to go top after slumping to a 4-1 home defeat against Derby County, who move up one place into fifth. Two early goals at the Hawthorns left Darren Moore’s side too much to do. In the 10th minute Derby pressed their opponents into a mistake while trying to play out from the back – Jack Marriott reacted well to intercept Jay Rodriguez’s attempted backpass before finishing coolly.
Within five minutes, neat interplay from Frank Lampard’s side on the break gave Tom Lawrence space on the left of the home area, and his curling drive was always moving away from Sam Johnstone’s despairing dive. In the second half Harry Wilson struck a fine left-footed effort from 20 yards and Scott Malone added a fourth before Rodriguez scored a late consolation.
Preston North End climbed out of the bottom three with a 4-3 win against Brentford which they initially led 3-0 after 23 minutes. Nottingham Forest won 3-0 at Bolton thanks to goals from Joe Lolley, and two from Lewis Grabban, who also missed a penalty. Bristol City’s Famara Diédhiou struck deep into stoppage time for a 1-0 win against Hull City, who stay second-bottom.
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leeds | 14 | 14 | 26 |
| 2 | Middlesbrough | 14 | 9 | 26 |
| 3 | Sheff Utd | 14 | 7 | 26 |
| 4 | West Brom | 14 | 10 | 24 |
| 5 | Derby | 14 | 6 | 24 |
| 6 | Norwich | 14 | 2 | 24 |
| 7 | Nottm Forest | 14 | 6 | 22 |
| 8 | Bristol City | 14 | 4 | 22 |
| 9 | Blackburn | 14 | -2 | 21 |
| 10 | Swansea | 14 | 4 | 20 |
| 11 | Birmingham | 14 | 3 | 20 |
| 12 | Wigan | 14 | -2 | 20 |
| 13 | QPR | 14 | -5 | 20 |
| 14 | Sheff Wed | 14 | -3 | 19 |
| 15 | Brentford | 14 | 4 | 18 |
| 16 | Aston Villa | 14 | 0 | 18 |
| 17 | Stoke | 14 | -2 | 17 |
| 18 | Bolton | 14 | -8 | 16 |
| 19 | Preston North End | 14 | -5 | 13 |
| 20 | Millwall | 14 | -7 | 13 |
| 21 | Rotherham | 14 | -10 | 13 |
| 22 | Reading | 14 | -4 | 12 |
| 23 | Hull | 14 | -10 | 9 |
| 24 | Ipswich | 14 | -11 | 9 |
