Coventry City have opened up a commanding eight-point gap at the summit of the Championship following a gritty 1-0 victory over Swansea City at home. Ephron Mason-Clark's powerful finish just before half-time proved decisive, securing a ninth home league win of the season for Frank Lampard's side.
Sky Blues Grind Out Crucial Victory
The usually free-scoring hosts were frustrated for large periods by a resolute Swansea defence. However, their persistence paid off a minute before the interval when Mason-Clark broke the deadlock. Despite failing to build significant momentum after the break, Coventry's formidable home record – they remain unbeaten at the Coventry Building Society Arena this season – held firm. The win gives them a 13-point cushion over the teams in the playoff positions as they chase a return to the Premier League after a 25-year absence.
Hornets Sting Struggling Foxes
Elsewhere, Watford came from behind to claim a 2-1 away win at Leicester City, inflicting a second consecutive defeat on the Foxes. Captain Imrân Louza was the architect, providing assists for both Othmane Maamma's equaliser on the stroke of half-time and Mattie Pollock's 65th-minute winner. Jordan James had given Leicester an early lead, but they slipped into the bottom half of the table, now five points adrift of the top six. Watford, with back-to-back wins, are now just a point outside the playoff places.
Shocks and Stalemates Across the Division
There was a major upset at the Kassam Stadium where managerless Oxford United defeated high-flying Southampton 2-1. Stan Mills scored a spectacular solo winner in the 89th minute, running from inside his own half before firing past Gavin Bazunu. In the early kick-off, Millwall and Ipswich Town played out a goalless draw at The Den, a result that did little for either side's automatic promotion aspirations.
Bristol City climbed into the top six with a 2-1 win at West Bromwich Albion, thanks to first-half goals from Anis Mehmeti and Ross McCrorie. Hull City missed a chance to go third after twice coming from behind to draw 2-2 with rock-bottom Sheffield Wednesday, who are still without a home league win this season.
Portsmouth were denied a win by QPR captain Jimmy Dunne's headed equaliser in a 1-1 draw, while Birmingham City and Derby County shared the points in a feisty 1-1 encounter that saw both teams finish with ten men. Preston North End's unbeaten run extended to seven games after a 0-0 draw at Stoke City, and Norwich City continued their improved form under Philippe Clement with a 1-0 win over Charlton Athletic.
