Image source, Getty Images

It's been an afternoon of big winners and losers in the Championship.

Burnley clocked up 1,000 minutes without conceding a goal, but couldn't score one of their own in drawing at Preston.

And with Anel Ahmedhodzic scoring a priceless goal for Sheffield United, the Blades jumped to the top of the league.

But for losers Luton, it was another bitter blow as they stay bottom and without a win in six games under Matt Bloomfield.

One goal with so many consequences for so many teams.

After a quiet day tomorrow, we return with a blockbuster on Monday night, Leeds versus Sunderland.

Two of the promotion contenders under the lights at a packed out Elland Road.

We'll be with you every step of the way for that cracker, so it would be a shame not to join us!

Sheffield United

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Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield that it was "the understatement of the season" when asked about his side's victory not being pretty.

The three points against the team bottom of the table were enough to send the Blades top.

"Their approach to it, from the off – especially when we saw the team sheet with a few of the experienced boys – we talked about having to expect the Luton Town of old," he said.

“It’s not that they resorted to that, because it is a new manager in, but they leant on that and it was everything from the year they went up, it was everything in the Premier League that Premier League teams struggled to cope with - the two centre forwards. It came long from the off, we saw it went straight back to the goalkeeper and bang on top of you. And every free kick was on top of you.

“You just have to deal with it, and at times it’s really difficult to come out of it and try play your natural, normal game. We tried at times, but they were massively up for it.

“The target on our back, because of the position that we are in and because it was Sheffield United against Luton Town, it never felt like a team at the top of the division versus a team that was rock bottom.

“You have to show different qualities for different games if you want to be successful, and we showed huge personality and huge character."

Watford

Watford head coach Tom Cleverley told BBC Three Counties Radio:

"It was a fantastic performance and by no means backs to the wall. We should have been out of sight going into the 75th minute.

"We didn't manage it as well as we could have done and the defence was called upon, so really pleased with that clean sheet.

"We rode our luck a little bit and the players know where we can put that right, but for 70 minutes we have to give massive credit, they were outstanding."

Plymouth Argyle

Plymouth Argyle's remarkable run of victories came to an end after suffering a 2-0 defeat at Blackburn which leaves them second from bottom and two points from safety.

“We found the right balance before the Liverpool game, and found the right balance after it to deliver a performance like we did against Millwall, and win the game," said Plymouth head coach Miron Muslic.

“No-one can expect us to ride from victory to victory every three days, but we are very competitive and in a better place than three or four weeks ago.

“We have closed the gap. A lot of teams are involved in this (relegation) scenario, six or seven at least, and it’s up to us to keep a cool mind and keep this organisation, structure and intensity - and then we can get all the points we need to stay up."

Pilgrims forward Ryan Hardie was forced off at Ewood Park with Muslic confirming it was a back issue.

“We have to wait, such an important player, and he will have to go straight to the specialist to see, but there is a back issue with his nerves.”

Blackburn Rovers

Image source, Rex Features

Managerless Blackburn strengthened their place in fifth position in the Championship, with midfielder Adam Forshaw scoring his first goal in eight years and 309 days to give them the lead.

“It’s been a hectic few days but the players have applied themselves brilliantly and I’m really pleased they gave a good show for the fans at Ewood," caretaker David Lowe told BBC Radio Lancashire.

“We played some decent football in the first half without getting any reward and second half the quick play and movement, in and out of possession, was really good. We were prepared to tackle and win second balls, and then to play football and score two quality goals.

[On Forshaw goal] “He was saying he hasn’t scored many goals over the years but in fairness to him today he managed to get into the penalty area and it was a fantastic finish. I’m pleased for him because he’s a terrific pro and has been really good since he’s been at the club, setting good habits for the young players.”

Preston North End

Preston North End manager Paul Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Lancashire:

"I enjoyed it. It was a good, tough game - with an intensity to it which reflected the top end of the Championship.

"It's a good point in the end and I was really pleased with the performance. That's two games we've had against them and the margins are so fine.

"As we've shown against all the teams at the top, we'd be up there with them if that was our level. That's a reminder for the players that they're more than capable of competing at the top end in this division."

Image source, Getty

Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has accused Preston striker Milutin Osmajic of racism during the lunchtime Lancashire derby at Deepdale.

The alleged incident occured early in the second half when Hannibal was incensed by something involving Osmajic and went over to tell the referee and then speak with his head coach Scott Parker.

Since the game, the former Manchester United player has posted the following statement on his Instagram account:

"I will not be silent about what happened today.

"I will always call out racism whenever I hear or see it.

"That is the only way we change as a sport and a society.

"I am a strong person but nobody should have to experience this disgusting abuse on the pitch."

However, Montenegro striker Osmajic has strongly refuted the claims, which was reported through an official club statement, external.

Image source, Rex Features

• Burnley have now kept 11 consecutive clean sheets in the Championship, only Manchester United have kept more consecutive clean sheets across England’s top four tiers – keeping 14 in a row in the Premier League in 2008-09.
• Both of Yousef Salech’s goals in the Championship this season for Cardiff City have been scored in the 90th minute or later, with his equaliser today coming with 89:46 on the clock.
• Coventry City’s Ellis Simms has scored in three successive away league matches for the first time in his senior career.
• Watford’s Moussa Sissoko scored his first away goal in English league football since scoring against Huddersfield Town for Tottenham Hotspur in September 2017, ending an 85-match run without a goal on the road in the league.
• Sheffield United’s Callum O’Hare provided an assist just 70 seconds after coming on as a substitute, entering the match with 77:45 on the clock before setting up Anel Ahmedhodzic on 78:55.

All stats provided by Opta.

Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough head coach Michael Carrick suffered a fourth consecutive loss for the first time as boss and after slipping to 11th told BBC Radio Tees how the players' confidence has taken a knock.

"There's no sugar coating it. We're in a tough spot at the moment. You could smell and feel it around today.

"It's facing up to it, that's the reality of how results have gone of late.

"I felt a lot for the boys because their attitude is first-class, they're desperate to do well, desperate to do the right things but in sport, when things aren't going for you, and you're not at your peak mentality, the confidence dips and it becomes more difficult to play."

Giulia Bould
Final Score at Ewood Park

Adam Forshaw and Tyrhys Dolan were the two with the goals but Blackburn should have had more today.

The defeat for Plymouth ends a great run and it leaves them in the bottom three.

As for caretaker Blackburn manager David Lowe, you wonder if he has to be in the running for the job full time as it is two wins in three days, they sit in the play-off places and the team are clearly enjoying playing for him.

Stoke City midfielder Lewis Baker wrapped up their win today with a superb effort from inside his own half.

The shooting stats provided by Opta only cover efforts from the attacking half, so Baker's goal doesn't show up on his team's expected goals graphic.

Portsmouth

Portsmouth manager John Mousinho paid tribute to the performance of goalscorer Andre Dozzell after his side picked up back-to-back Championship wins.

"To come out of the week with six points – it could have been more, could have been nine – is a brilliant return and we've just got to keep going," he told BBC Radio Solent.

"I've been joking with Dozz about his goalscoring record - I think I might have more than him this season - but he is very good technically, he's been excellent for the past couple of weeks and today I thought he was outstanding.

"Coming here now [to my former club], it's business as usual, you've got to take the emotion out of it, it's an away victory for us, and that's the most important thing regardless of where it is."

Oxford United

Oxford United boss Gary Rowett said his thoughts were with the supporter who fell ill during the first half and that his side were lacking the final pass, with the Yellows only scoring once in their past five games.

"My immediate thoughts are for the supporter who needed the attention. Hopefully he's ok. As a flip side to that, when that happens and the players have to go off the pitch, it becomes a bit of a fractured first half and difficult to create any rhythm or continuity within that.

"I thought we got into some really good positions but it's that final pass – it's been creeping in for the last three or four games – to get someone into a goalscoring position just hasn't quite been there.

"We conceded a very poor goal from a set-piece with bodies in the box and we don't deal with, then we had three clear-cut chances and should score all three, let alone at least one, and we chase the game at the end and leave ourselves open."

Cardiff City

"I thought we played quite well. We just need to be a little more threatening at times and we made life hard for ourselves with the goal we conceded," boss Omer Riza said.

"To go 1-0 down and show the character to take a point is really important. We have to be happy with a point because every point is valuable.

"It's important to take every point whether you're top or bottom of the league."

Bristol City

Cardiff City scored a last minute equaliser to take a share of the points from a 1-1 draw with rivals Bristol City.

"I'm frustrated, disappointed to concede so late. The lads were quite honest as to why, the difference away from home in the way we manage the game,"Bristol City manager Liam Manning said.

"We were relatively comfortable but the one time we switched off we got punished. The big bit for me is taking more care of the ball. How do you take the sting out of it?

"We're hugely frustrated. I feel for the lads a little bit because they left it all out there. The schedule has been ridiculous. It becomes neglectful on the players when you cram in so many games."

While we wait to hear what the bosses have to say after the 15:00 GMT games, let's get a bit of reaction from the three lunchtime matches...

That's now no wins in 11 league games for Matt Bloomfield's side.

Luton are only a victory away from potentially climbing out of the drop zone, but they haven't done that since before Christmas.

Are the Hatters going to suffer back-to-back relegations?

Thumbs up if you think yes, thumbs down if you believe they'll stay up.

There are no movers or shakers in the bottom half of the table, but Stoke's fine comeback win against Swansea has pulled them six points clear of the drop zone.

Luton fans must be wondering where their next win is coming from...

The Hatters welcome Plymouth to Kenilworth Road on Wednesday. What a big game that is.

Image source, Opta

Seven wins in their past eight Championship games has taken Sheffield United to the summit.

Leeds will have the chance to reclaim top spot on Monday when they host Sunderland.

Image source, Opta

Image source, Rex Features

• Sheffield United go top thanks to a late Anel Ahmedhodzic goal at bottom side Luton.
• Managerless Blackburn strengthen their grip on fifth spot with a 2-0 victory against lowly Plymouth.
• Coventry improve their top six hopes with a 2-1 win at Sheffield Wednesday thanks to an Ellis Simms double.
• West Brom held 1-1 at Millwall but stay sixth while Watford beat Middlesbrough 1-0 to inflict a fourth straight defeat on the Teessiders.
• Stoke City come from a goal down to beat Swansea 3-1, with sub Lewis Baker scoring from near the halfway line in time added on.

• Struggling Hull City draw 1-1 at home to midtable Norwich and