Leeds go top after nine-goal thriller

LEEDS UNITED battled back to the top of the Championship after an incredible 5-4 win against Birmingham, while promotion rivals West Bromwich Albion were stunned by Middlesbrough yesterday.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side raced into a two-goal lead at St Andrews thanks to goals from Helder Costa and Jack Harrison.

Leeds, who arrived on a three-match winless run, saw Jude Bellingham reduce the deficit six minutes later before Lukas Jutkiewicz levelled in the 61st minute.

Luke Ayling restored Leeds’s advantage after 69 minutes, but Jeremie Bela’s 83rd-minute header drew Birmingham level. Stuart Dallas bagged Leeds’ fourth goal six minutes from time, yet there was more drama to come.

The astonishing clash looked set to end all square when Jutkiewicz equalised in the first minute of stoppage-time, only for Wes Harding’s own goal to win it for Leeds four minutes later.

Second placed West Brom are behind Leeds on goal difference after Middlesbrough’s surprise 2-0 win at the Hawthorns.

Daniel Ayala nodded the visitors in front in the 17th minute before Ashley Fletcher sealed the points from 35 yards in second-half stoppage time.

Fulham are in third place after Bobby Decordova-Reid sealed a 1-0 win over Stoke at Craven Cottage.

Decordova-Reid broke the deadlock in the 26th minute when Jack Butland stretched to stop Anthony Knockaert’s low shot from creeping in at the far post, where his teammate was lurking for a tap-in.