Championship roundup: Swansea move third with late win as Norwich tighten grip on top spot

Andrew Ayew scores from the penalty spot (Getty Images)
Andrew Ayew scores from the penalty spot (Getty Images)

Swansea City moved third in the Championship after they claimed a dramatic 2-1 win over Middlesbrough courtesy of a last-gasp penalty by Andre Ayew. The hosts won the spot-kick deep into stoppage time when George Saville fouled Jake Bidwell, and Ayew made no mistake to give the Swans all three points. It was the Ghanaian’s second of the game, and it ensured that Swansea would leave with the points after Sam Morsy’s injury time goal appeared to have earned a point for the visitors.

Championship leaders Norwich City moved 10 points clear at the top of the league after Teemu Pukki netted twice during the Canaries’ 3-0 win over mid-table Luton Town. Pukki scored both of his goals in the first half before Todd Cantwell secured the win with a low, driven shot from outside the area.

Coventry City defeated Derby County 1-0 in a bottom-of-the-table clash. The Sky Blues took all three points after Max Biamou intercepted a misplaced pass from Nathan Byrne and slotted past Kelle Roos.

Bournemouth, one of several teams in the playoff hunt, drew with Preston at Deepdale after Arnaut Danjuma’s goal was cancelled out by Daniel Johnson, who excellently curled in an equaliser with 20 minutes remaining.

A penalty from Michael Olise and Lucas Joao’s 21st goal of the season put Reading firmly in control as they welcomed Sheffield Wednesday, who remain firmly in danger of relegation. Andy Yiadom added a third to give the Royals all three points, sentencing Wednesday to their sixth consecutive loss in the league to leave the club eight points from survival in the Championship.

Queens Park Rangers bounced back from their 3-1 loss at home to Barnsley in midweek with an emphatic 2-0 win at Bristol City. Ilias Chair and Robert Dickie secured all three points for QPR as they returned to winning ways following a run of three league matches without a win.

At the bet365 Stadium, Rhys Norrington-Davies and Harry Souttar each netted within five minutes in the second half to lead Stoke City past Wycombe Wanderers, who are now 12 points from safety at the bottom of the Championship.

Bradley Dack and Sam Gallagher did the damage as Blackburn Rovers won 2-0 at Millwall, while Daryl Dike scored the only goal with a powerful strike into the top corner as playoff-chasing Barnsley defeated Birmingham City at home. The Blues are now just four points from slipping into the relegation zone.