Roundup of a dramatic matchweek of Sky Bet Championship action with huge implications for the promotion race.
Mixefd fortunes for those chasing promotion blew the battle for the top two spots wide open in a busy round of action, whilst several teams looked to continue their battles for survival.
Weekend
Phil Jagielka provided a goal and assist apiece as Stoke snatched a surprise 3-1 win at home to league leaders, Sheffield United to condemn the Blades to a second consecutive defeat.
Norwich missed a chance to go top after suffering a shock 3-2 home defeat to Preston North End, as Emil Riis Jakobsen struck twice for the visitors and Troy Parrott struck the winner, after Gabriel Sara looked to had salvaged a 2-2 draw for the Canaries.
Lyndon Dykes’ brace saw QPR come from behind to beat Reading 2-1 at Loftus Road to go third on goal difference behind Sheffield Utd and Norwich, after the Royals led through Andy Carroll’s 30th minute penalty.
Nathan Tella’s close-range strike in the 39th minute saw Burnley beat rock-bottom Coventry to go fourth in the table, and above Reading in the process.
First-half goals from Ollie Cooper and Harry Darling saw Swansea stay sixth following a 2-1 win at home to Sunderland, who claimed a 51st minute consolatory goal through Jack Clarke.
Down in the relegation zone, Lewie Coyle’s own goal and Michal Helik’s header saw Huddersfield claim their first win under Mark Fotheringham with a 2-0 victory at home to Hull, although Fotheringham’s Terriers remain second-bottom but now two points from safety.
West Brom’s winless run extended to eight matches as they remain third-bottom following a goalless draw at home to Luton, which ultimately resulted in Steve Bruce’s sacking as the Baggies’ manager.
Zian Fleming’s brace earned Millwall a 2-0 home win over managerless Middlesbrough, although Boro remain two points above the relegation zone.
Elsewhere, Ben Brereton Diaz’s brace plus a goal from Sammie Szmodics who assisted Brereton Diaz’s second goal fired Blackburn to a 3-0 home win against Rotherham.
Cardiff claimed consecutive league wins for the first time this season following a 3-1 win away to Wigan through goals from Callum Robinson, Sheyi Ojo and Ryan Wintle, despite Charlie Wyke briefly reducing the Bluebirds’ deficit to 2-1 in the 83rd minute.
Jerry Yates’ quick-fire brace fired Blackpool to a 3-1 home win over Watford after Gary Madine’s opener was cancelled out by Imran Louza.
Auston Trust’s first half brace plus Dion Sanderson’s 75th minute goal fired Birmingham City to a 3-0 win over Bristol City at St Andrew’s Stadium.
Midweek
Nathan Broadhead struck a 62nd minute winner on the rebound as Wigan defeated Blackburn Rovers to clinch a first home win of the season.
Rob Atkinson’s second-half brace fired Bristol City to a 2-1 home win over Preston at Ashton Gate, despite Andrew Hughes’s 81st minute volley to equalise for the Lilywhites.
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