Cooper: Leeds can go up automatically

Liam Cooper believes Leeds United could still mount an end-of-season charge for automatic promotion after a morale-boosting 2-0 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion.

Now unbeaten in seven, Leeds opened an eight-point cushion on Fulham in seventh to virtually assure Garry Monk’s team of a place in the play-offs.

“We still have a chance of the top two,” the defender said. “The pressure is off us and the pressure is all on them [Brighton]. Never say never about the top two.” drew 0-0 with and lead the table by one point from Brighton. missed a golden opportunity to creep into the play-off positions by losing 3-1 at home against Manager Slavisa Jokanovic said: “We were not fresh and solid enough, we gave them some charity presents during the game.” striker David Nugent admitted the team had been unable to do much with the ball under former manager Steve McClaren. New manager Gary Rowett oversaw Saturday’s 2-2 draw with

“It is a different style of football,” Nugent said. “The manager wants us to get the ball forward in the channels as quickly as possible.

Mark Warburton, also making his touchline debut with a new club, says he wants Forest to embrace Brian Clough’s philosophy of keeping the ball on the ground.

But Forest are still looking likely to join crushed 5-1 at

and beaten 2-0 by in the drop.

Among Villa’s scorers was Scott Hogan, with his first goal for the club since his £12 million January move from Brentford.