Whites ease pressure with win over Boro

LEEDS UNITED held on for a 2-1 win against Middlesbrough to snap their losing Sky Bet Championship run and ensure a miserable first return to Elland Road for former boss Garry Monk.

Pablo Hernandez and Gianni Alioski struck goals in either half and although Britt Assombalonga converted a controversial late penalty for Boro, their march up the table after three straight wins was halted.

Leeds had lost six of their previous seven league games, including their last three at home, but turned in a much-improved display to ease the pressure on head coach Thomas Christiansen.

Chris Coleman will take over a Sunderland side still looking for a home win in 2017.

Coleman resigned as Wales boss on Friday and was named as Sunderland job yesterday, but knows he will be taking on a fight against a second successive relegation.

The Black Cats have not won at home this year and extended that record with a 2-2 draw against Millwall.

Lewis Grabban capitalised on a rejuvenated mood at the Stadium of Light and put the home side ahead, but George Saville scored twice in four minutes to turn it around after errors from goalkeeper Robbin Ruiter.

But a howler from opposite number Jordan Archer allowed Adam Matthews to at least give Coleman something to build on.

Wolves leapfrogged Sheffield United back to the top of the table thanks to a 2-0 win at Reading.

United’s win at Burton on Friday saw them reach the summit but Wolves responded immediately as Ivan Cavaleiro’s 16th-minute goal and Matt Doherty’s late clincher proved enough.

Cardiff remain in hot pursuit and saw off Brentford 2-0 thanks to goals from Joe Ralls (eight) and Danny Ward (36).

A late goal from Jordan Spence earned Ipswich a 2-2 draw at struggling Hull.

Town led through David McGoldrick but were pegged back by Jarrod Bowen and Nouha Dicko. When McGoldrick missed a penalty it looked like it might not be the visitors’ day but Spence equalised with two minutes left.

Josh Murphy put Norwich ahead at home to Barnsley, but they earned a 1-1 draw thanks to Harvey Barnes, while Albert Adomah’s brace helped Aston Villa reply to Jamie Mackie’s opener and beat QPR 2-1.

Elsewhere, Che Adams’ fifthminute goal earned Birmingham a 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest while Sheffield Wednesday and Bristol City drew 0-0.

In the late kick-off, Derby missed an opportunity to break into the top six after they were held to a 1-1 draw at Fulham.