
Round-up:
In the 'Tony Pulis derby', Pulis' Middlesbrough beat his former employers West Bromwich Albion 3-2 at the Hawthorns. George Saville gave Middlesbrough the lead on 17 minutes, before the home side came from behind to lead thanks to goals either side of half-time from Jay Rodriguez and Dwight Gayle, but Tony Pulis brought on Britt Assombalonga from the substitutes bench to devastating effect, as he scored both of the two goals to give Middlesbrough the win. Bristol City extended their unbeaten run to 11 successive games, and in the process ending Swansea City's 6-game unbeaten run of their own after a 2-0 win with goals coming from Andreas Weimann and Calum O'Dowda. With this result, Bristol City move into the play-off places at Derby County's expense. Sheffield United in third place got back to winning ways after a couple of games without a win, thanks to a 2-0 victory over struggling Bolton Wanderers with goals coming from David McGoldrick and Billy Sharp (what's new there?). Brentford came from 2 goals down after 7 minutes to win 5-2 at home to Blackburn Rovers, with Ollie Watkins getting two of Brentford's goals. Birmingham City won 2-0 at home to Nottingham Forest thanks to goals from Jota and a penalty from Che Adams, who saw a bid from Burnley rejected by Birmingham just last Thursday. Hull City returned to winning ways after suffering defeat last week away to Blackburn Rovers with a 2-0 win at home to Stoke City, who had a penalty saved after debutant Sam Vokes, a deadline day signing, failed to convert. Steve Bruce took charge of Sheffield Wednesday for the first time since his appointment last month, and saw his side score a late winner away to bottom side Ipswich Town thanks to Lucas Joao. Wigan Athletic gave their hopes of maintaining their Championship status for another year a massive shot in the arm after beating Queens Park Rangers 2-1 thanks to goals from Josh Windass and deadline day signing Leon Clarke. There were 2 goalless matches involving Reading and Aston Villa, as well as Millwall and Rotherham United.
In what was undisputedly the key match of the weekend, first took on second, and Norwich City triumphed 3-1 away to Leeds United, meaning Norwich now are top of the Championship table. A brace from Mario Vrancic (one of which was a sublime freekick) and a goal from Teemu Pukki sealed the win, with Leeds' Patrick Bamford scoring a consolation.
Results:
Friday
Preston North End 0 Derby County 0
Saturday
Birmingham City 2 Nottingham Forest 0
Brentford 5 Blackburn Rovers 2
Bristol City 2 Swansea City 0
Hull City 2 Stoke City 0
Ipswich Town 0 Sheffield Wednesday 1
Millwall 0 Rotherham United 0
Reading 0 Aston Villa 0
Sheffield United 2 Bolton Wanderers 0
West Bromwich Albion 2 Middlesbrough 3
Wigan Athletic 2 Queens Park Rangers 1
Leeds United 1 Norwich City 3