
Round-up:
In today's early kick-off, Norwich City enhanced their promotion credentials by hammering managerless Queens Park Rangers 4-0. Emi Buendia gave the Canaries the lead after just 6 minutes, with Marco Stiepermann doubling the lead 6 minutes later. Teemu Pukki scored Norwich's third in the 38th minute, and wrapped up the scoring in the 85th minute to seal a dominant win, with the only blot being that Emi Buendia got sent off for a foul on Josh Scowen.
Sheffield United moved back into second place (and the automatic promotion slots) after beating Preston North End 1-0 thanks to a goal from David McGoldrick, as they took advantage of the fact that Leeds United suffered a 1-0 defeat themselves at the hands of Birmingham City thanks to a goal from Che Evans. It looks like it will be the play-offs for West Bromwich Albion, who today lost 2-0 away to Millwall thanks to goals from Ryan Tunnicliffe and an own goal from Ahmed Hegazi, meaning West Brom have suffered their first defeat under caretaker manager James Shan. Meanwhile, Aston Villa moved into 5th place after coming from behind to beat Sheffield Wednesday 3-1 thanks to goals from John McGinn and two stoppage time goals from Albert Adomah and Tammy Abraham, taking advantage of the fact that Bristol City were held to a 2-2 draw by Wigan Athletic after Nathan Byrne scored a 93rd-minute equaliser to deny the Robins. An added bonus for Aston Villa was the fact that Derby County were held to a 3-3 draw by Brentford, who came from behind 3 times in order to earn a point. Middlesbrough's chances of making the play-offs seem to be shrinking by the minute as they suffered a 3-1 defeat away to Swansea City thanks to goals from Matt Grimes, Wayne Routledge and Connor Roberts which consigned Boro to a sixth consecutive league defeat. In a match between two mid-table teams, Stoke City edged out Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park thanks to a goal from Peter Etebo.
Meanwhile, down at the bottom, Rotherham United boosted their survival prospects after beating Nottingham Forest 2-1 to put a dent into Forest's hopes of making it into the play-offs. However, the victory was not enough to move them out of the relegation zone given that Millwall beat West Bromwich Albion. On the other hand, Bolton Wanderers' survival hopes took a huge hit as they suffered a 2-1 defeat at home to bottom side Ipswich Town thanks to a brace from Colin Quaner. Reading were overtaken by both Wigan Athletic and Millwall as they suffered a 3-1 defeat away to Hull City, a result which increased their relegation fears.
Sky Bet Championship results:
All matches played on Saturday
Norwich City 4 Queens Park Rangers 0
Birmingham City 1 Leeds United 0
Blackburn Rovers 0 Stoke City 1
Bolton Wanderers 1 Ipswich Town 2
Brentford 3 Derby County 3
Bristol City 2 Wigan Athletic 2
Hull City 3 Reading 1
Millwall 2 West Bromwich Albion 0
Preston North End 0 Sheffield United 1
Rotherham United 2 Nottingham Forest 1
Sheffield Wednesday 1 Aston Villa 3
Swansea City 3 Middlesbrough 1