Leicester in charge of Championship despite Boro loss

English second-tier leaders Leicester’s four-match winning streak came to an end with a 2-1 loss at home to Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Not our day.#LEIMID pic.twitter.com/mngpiGsBVY— Leicester City (@LCFC) February 17, 2024

But the Foxes remained nine points clear at the top despite the defeat.

Boro’s Finn Azaz and Sam Silvera scored before halftime and it was not until the 85th minute that Leicester pulled a goal back, through former England striker Jamie Vardy.

All three clubs relegated from the Premier League last season are in pole position to bounce straight back up, although only the top two at the end of the regular campaign are guaranteed promotion.

Leeds won 2-0 at Plymouth on Saturday to regain second place from Southampton, themselves 2-0 winners at West Bromwich Albion on Friday.

🔥 THE WINNING RUN CONTINUES!! pic.twitter.com/y268HsKdPj— Leeds United (@LUFC) February 17, 2024

🥶🔥 15 clean sheets! The Iceman! pic.twitter.com/auzzOoNiBf— Leeds United (@LUFC) February 17, 2024

Willy Gnonto opening the scoring early on for Leeds and Georginio Rutter made the game safe midway through the second half.

Ipswich won 2-1 away to Swansea to go fourth, Nathan Broadhead and Conor Chaplin scoring either side of a Jerry Yates equaliser.

⏱️ BIG WIN IN WALES.— Ipswich Town (@IpswichTown) February 17, 2024

Rotherham were left rooted to the bottom of the Championship after they lost at home to Watford and Sheffield Wednesday beat Millwall.

Yaser Asprilla’s goal for Watford condemned Rotherham to a fourth straight defeat, the Millers now without a win since Boxing Day.

First-half goals from forwards Anthony Musaba and Ike Ugbo secured victory for Wednesday, with substitute Ashley Fletcher’s sending off for two bookable offences too late to change the course of the game.

Fellow relegation candidates Queens Park Rangers also enjoyed a morale-boosting win, with Ilias Chair scoring the only goal at Bristol City.

Birmingham manager Tony Mowbray, sacked by Sunderland in December, saw his new side come from behind to beat his old club 2-1.

Back-to-back wins! 😍 pic.twitter.com/1MDMATQO3a— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) February 17, 2024

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Jack Clarke put Sunderland ahead but Birmingham responded with goals from Jordan James and Koji Miyoshi.

Coventry were left in sixth place after edging a 1-0 win at Stoke thanks to a goal by Ellis Simms. That left the Sky Blues just ahead of Norwich and Hull on goal difference.

Norwich overwhelmed Cardiff 4-1 at Carrow Road while Hull defeated Huddersfield 2-1.

He REALLY can’t stop scoring 🫡 pic.twitter.com/o12xFirYsC— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) February 17, 2024

Preston and Blackburn shared the points in a 2-2 draw, with all four goals coming in a lively first half at Deepdale.

📰 Report: Preston North End 2-2 #Rovers

We were forced to settle for a point in today’s all-Lancashire clash.#PNEvROV 🔵⚪️https://t.co/lKvSHFvNAK— Blackburn Rovers (@Rovers) February 17, 2024