Blades go top - and send Hull to bottom
DAVID McGoldrick’s second-half penalty sent Sheffield United top of the Championship and ensured Hull City drop to the bottom of the table.
McGoldrick scored his fifth goal of the season after defender Jack O’Connell was pulled down in the area midway through the second half. Chances were limited in a cagey match, but the visitors twice went close after the break with Nouha Dicko and Markus Henriksen forcing good saves from Dean Henderson.
Lucas Joao came off the bench to score both goals as Sheffield Wednesday beat Bristol City 2-1 to move into the top six.
Matty Taylor halved the deficit from the penalty spot after Calum O’Dowda was fouled.
Pontus Jansson headed an 88th-minute equaliser to earn Leeds United a point against Brentford at Elland Road.
Leeds responded well after falling behind to Neal Maupay’s second-half penalty and eventually got their equaliser when the Swedish defender nodded in Ezgjan Alioski’s left-wing free-kick.
The hosts had been unhappy with the decision to award a spotkick for Bailey Peacock-Farrell’s foul on Ollie Watkins, as the Brentford striker appeared to already be heading to the ground before the Leeds goalkeeper made contact.
Maupay converted from 12 yards for his 10th league goal of the campaign – making him the first player to reach that milestone in England’s top four tiers this season.
West Bromwich Albion came from behind to eventually ease to victory against Reading and claim a fifth consecutive home league win. The Royals took an early lead through Leandro Bacuna’s clinical finish from a corner, before the hosts’ Harvey Barnes struck the post.
But the Baggies took full control in the second half, as on-loan striker Dwight Gayle produced two well-guided finishes in quick succession to turn the game on its head.
Callum Robinson scored twice as Preston impressively beat Wigan at Deepdale to move off the bottom and end a 10-game winless run. Tom Barkhuizen fired home the opener after neat build-up play in the first half.
He then turned provider just after the break, creating space for Daniel Johnson to play in Robinson who slotted home.
Norwich City dropped out of the play-off places after Timm Klose’s first-half own goal ensured a second win in three games for Stoke City, who move within two points of the top six.
The loss ends an eight-match unbeaten run for Daniel Farke’s side. Cuco Martina’s cross was turned into his own net by defender Klose before half-time.