Championship: Leeds win and go top as Norwich lose 3-1 at Preston

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• On his return from a severe facial injury, Nelson Oliveira scored a wonderful goal to ensure Reading beat Blackburn 2-1 - a win that lifts them out of the relegation places.
• Richard Stearman's header helped Sheffield United reduce the gap on the automatic promotion places, and in turn dented Middlesbrough's promotion hopes in a 1-0 win at Bramall Lane.
• Neal Maupay scored his 18th league goal of the season to earn Brentford a last ditch win against Aston Villa, spoiling Dean Smith's return to his old club.
• Bottom side Ipswich Town stuck a spanner in the works of Derby's efforts to climb back into the top-six. Jon Nolan cancelled out Tom Lawrence's early opener.

• Wigan and Stoke had to settle for a point apiece, in a proper goalless stalemate at the DW Stadium.

Dan: Great result tonight! Watch out play-offs, #pnefc are coming for you.

Preston's victory might not have lifted them into the top six this evening, but it has seen them rise to 13th in the table, eight points off a play-off spot.

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Caption competition, anybody?

I'm not entirely sure what those Leeds celebrations are all about but their dominant 2-1 triumph over Swansea sees them return to the top of the Championship.

Are they there to stay? Well, there are 14 games left and we should know better than to make predictions about this division!

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That man was a giant tonight.

Preston keeper Declan Rudd against his boyhood club, making a string of saves and so nearly keeping what would have been a much-deserved clean sheet.

But the hosts did enough to beat Norwich and knock them off their perch...

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There's one big change to the bottom six as Nelson Oliveira's late goal moves Reading above Rotherham and out of the relegation zone.

It means Ipswich are still 10 points from safety despite their impressive draw with Derby.

Wigan, meanwhile, have a buffer but aren't exactly motoring clear after their goalless draw with Stoke.

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Victory for Leeds and defeat for Norwich sees the top two switch places, with Marcelo Bielsa's side moving a point clear.

Don't discount Sheffield United, though - their win over Middlesbrough moves them two points behind Norwich, who hold the second and final automatic promotion spot.

That's all tonight's Championship action done - but what difference has it made to the table?

Stand by for some interesting changes at the top and bottom...

Greg: I would like to know people's thoughts on Dean Smith being replaced by someone who has a plan B. This is one of the most tactically inept people I have witnessed in the game. I thought Remi Garde was woeful, but gee whizz, I think he's been outdone.

Seems a bit harsh, Greg - what do other Villa fans think?

Nelson Oliveira won't have to buy a pint in Reading for a while, after his curling beauty of a strike earns the Royals a precious three points against Blackburn to lift them out of the relegation zone.

They rode their luck in the first-half, finding themselves on the end of wave after wave of attacks, but nicked a goal on the stroke of half-time through John Swift.

Rovers hammered on the door in the second period, and looked as though they'd snatched a draw when Amari Bell buried the ball beyond Emiliano Martinez late on...

...but their joy was short-lived as Oliveira swept in his scorcher and the hosts held on to secure a rare win.

Phew. What a way to round up the night's games?!

Absolute scramble in the box from Charlie Mulgrew's corner for Blackburn... ball broke to Bradley Dack at the back-post in a tussle similar to a Shrovetide football match... limbs flailing.

Had two hacks but it was cleared.

Desperate late effort.

One win in 15 league games for Reading. This looks like it might buck the trend.

Blackburn aren't playing along with that though. They are going for it.

Two minutes of added time gone of the four.

Reading on the rack as Blackburn come forward again.

Adam Armstrong's cross caused problems but was smuggled clear and the subsequent corner was disappointing.

Minute of normal time remaining as Rovers seek another equaliser.

Great finish to this game.

Mike: That's the end of this season for Villa, and to be honest we are not good enough to go up. Smith needs the close season to bring in players who can play the higher tempo game he would like. There will be a clear out in the summer.

JC: Re: 20:33...is that so? (from a smug Preston North End fan)

Yes, I expected a Norwich backlash but it never arrived. Declan Rudd deservedly given man of the match for Preston!

Not one the director will enjoy putting a highlights package together from...

That said, Wigan get a point which could be useful in their bid to stay out of the relegation places.

Stoke halt a run of losses, it's a point, and a result on their travels. It's not a loss for Nathan Jones.

Share of spoils.

All over at Griffin Park as Dean Smith's return to Brentford ends in defeat.

Neal Maupay's late strike was worthy of winning any game - great strength and a fabulous finish from the forward.

Bottom side Ipswich take two big points off play-off chasing Derby.

Frank Lampard's side started with intent and led through Tom Lawrence's deflected volley, but Ipswich soon got on top and levelled through Jon Nolan.

A point apiece probably a fair result, though the Rams did hit the bar late on.

Preston have put a real shift in and have their win, with Norwich dropping off the top of the table.

The hosts were imperious in the first half and dogged in the second, with Ben Davies, Paul Gallagher and Sean Maguire getting their goals.

The Canaries may rue a missed first-half penalty, but all they had to show for their pressure was a stoppage time Teemu Pukki strike.