Soccer

Patrick Bamford nudges Leeds back to top of table

Championship round-up: Callum O’Dowda on target as Bristol City draw with Norwich

Jonathan Kodjia scores Aston Villa’s second goal during the Sky Bet Championship match against Stoke City at Villa Park. Photograph: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images

Sat Dec 15 2018 - 17:36

Leeds leapfrogged Norwich to the top of the Sky Bet Championship with a 1-0 win at Bolton.

United substitute Patrick Bamford, back after three months out with a knee problem, broke the deadlock in the 66th minute.

It was enough to give Leeds a fifth straight league win and put them one point ahead of Norwich.

Max Aarons headed in a late equaliser to secure Norwich a 2-2 draw against Bristol City at Ashton Gate.

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Marco Stiepermann fired Daniel Farke's side ahead, but Famara Diedhiou and Republic of Ireland winger Callum O'Dowda responded either side of half-time before Aarons's 78th-minute leveller.

At the other end of the table, managerless Reading moved out of the bottom three after a 1-1 draw at Rotherham.

Forward Sam Baldock put the Royals in front in the ninth minute, but Joe Mattock denied them victory when he equalised on the stroke of full-time.

Bottom club Ipswich finally got a first home league win of the season with a 1-0 victory over Wigan.

After the visitors had seen Reece James rattle the crossbar, Freddie Sears put the Tractor Boys on their way in the 67th minute.

Swansea scored two goals in as many second-half minutes to come from behind and beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 at the Liberty Stadium.

Substitute Marcos Matias fired the Owls ahead in the 63rd minute. The Swans, though, hit back when substitute Bersant Celina equalised in the 71st minute. Then straight from kick-off, the Kosovan set up Wayne Routledge to turn the match around.

Birmingham also struck twice in quick succession as they fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Blackburn.

Danny Graham's header put Rovers in front after 19 minutes and Adam Armstrong doubled the lead at the start of the second half.

The Blues rallied when Craig Gardner scored a penalty in the 78th minute and Che Adams then swiftly equalised.

It also finished 2-2 between Aston Villa and Stoke.

Joe Allen broke the deadlock just two minutes into the second half.

Villa drew level in the 73rd minute through a penalty from on-loan Chelsea forward Tammy Abraham.

Stoke, though, went back in front just five minutes later when Benik Afobe also converted from the spot.

Jonathan Kodjia’s header in the 84th minute secured Villa a share of the points.

Middlesbrough saw their hopes of making ground on the playoff pack hit with a 2-1 defeat at QPR.

Midfielder Pawel Wszolek gave the home side an early lead in the fourth minute.

George Saville’s low shot brought Boro level six minutes into the second half, but QPR went in front again on the hour through striker Nahki Wells.

Hull beat Brentford 2-0 to increase the pressure on Bees boss Thomas Frank.

Fraizer Campbell have Hull the lead from close range in the 12th minute and the striker made soon it 2-0 when knocking in a rebound off the goalkeeper.

Preston saw off struggling Millwall 3-2 at Deepdale.

Republic of Ireland international Alan Browne put North End in front in the 37th minute, with midfielder Tom Barkhuizen adding a second just before half-time.

The Lions pulled a goal back on the hour when defender Jake Cooper headed in from a corner.

However, Andrew Hughes scored from a free-kick with nine minutes left.

Lee Gregory scored a late consolation in stoppage time, as the visitors dropped into the bottom three.

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