Image source, Rex Features

Well that was a day of Championship action that certainly didn't disappoint.

We've had a thrashing, an unlikely comeback and a year-long undefeated home run ended all on the same day.

A total of 26 goals went in across eight games this afternoon with six of them at the Riverside as Rob Edwards faces more pressure following Luton's 5-1 humbling by Boro.

Sunderland will have two weeks of the international break to ponder what might have been after letting a two-goal lead slip at home to managerless Coventry and Portsmouth are off the bottom after beating Preston 3-1.

Bristol City subjected Norwich to their first defeat at Carrow Road for 22 games and Leeds closed the gap to the Black Cats to just two points at the top.

Sheffield United could go level at the summit if they can pick up three points against their rivals Sheffield Wednesday tomorrow.

Join us for that and two other games for your Sunday EFL serving. Until then, goodnight!

Preston North End

Preston North End manager Paul Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Lancashire:

"First half we were absolutely bullied. Of course it's surprising, it's unacceptable.

"It's surprising in the fact that we knew Portsmouth had changed now, how they played a lot of the last few games.

"They were a lot more direct in the last few games, compete for second balls, a lot of balls into the box and that being our preparation and yet we looked like a rabbit in headlights."

Plymouth Argyle

Plymouth boss Wayne Rooney told BBC Radio Devon:

"It was a good professional performance after going a goal down so early on.

"Derby are the best in the league at set plays and we knew that. To concede so early on we knew it would be a tough game, but I thought we did well to get back into the game.

"We tried to play our way in and we got back into the game at 1-1. The second half I thought we started OK and, in fairness to Derby, they switch to a back five and went a bit more aggressive and we didn’t deal with that as well as I would have liked.

"Then we had to show character to stay in the game to come away with a point. So in the end I’m pleased with the point."

Derby County

Derby boss Paul Warne speaking to BBC Radio Derby:

“We just needed a second goal. I thought our performance was really good, I thought we dominated in virtually every way and for us to concede from what looked like a very soft foul and deflection, I don’t think the goalkeeper had a lot more else to do than that.

“We changed the shape, we changed the players and I don’t think we, as a team, could have done a lot more.

"But you need to take your chances when you are on top and, unfortunately, today we didn’t.

“That is the only disappointment, I can’t really knock the lads for their effort and attitude. I think we leave feeling like it’s two points dropped.”

Sunderland

Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris told BBC Radio Newcastle: "It was a good first half. We started well with our strength and our quality at home. We created many opportunities to score with two fantastic goals.

"The second half was totally different because we were not able to keep the ball under pressure.

"I can be disappointed and I think the players are disappointed too. We need to solve other problems that it wasn't possible to do today.

"It's a balance game, but probably we could be a little bit disappointed because we needed to win that game."

Norwich City

Norwich City manager Johannes Hoff Thorup told BBC Radio Norfolk: “It was not good enough, I think it was obvious that we lacked the rhythm and the flow and the tempo in the game that we need to be able to create chances and score goals.

“It was a difficult one, we expected a difficult one, but I think we still hoped for a bit more than this.

On the injury issues: "We knew that a lot of them were stretched to the limit and for some of them not ideal to go 90 minutes again, but they had to.

"That’s part of the business but sometimes all of the situations we are in are not ideal and we have to come up with what it takes still.

“It comes down to our ability to put in the desire and what it takes to compete at this level.

"I think we were maybe a bit behind in some of these areas today which is natural with the situation that some of the guys are in.”

Coventry

Coventry City interim manager Rhys Carr told BBC Radio CWR:

"We spoke a lot about their character, their belief, about them sticking together and that is exactly what they did and they got what they deserved, so yeah, [I'm] really pleased.

"With the group of players we have got in there, we always feel like we are in games."

On the impact of Mark Robins' sacking:

"You have your time to process it, but then there is another game of football.

"If we come here feeling sorry for ourselves, we will end up feeling sorry for ourselves.

"We certainly didn't want to feel like that at the end of the game and we don't now because of the character they showed."

Steve Ogrizovic
Ex-Coventry City goalkeeper on BBC CWR

Image source, Rex Features

You've got to credit the fight and determination of the team. I don't really think that they should have been 2-0 down, I thought they played OK in the first half.

They were undone by two very good goals. That is what Sunderland do, that is why they are top of the league.

We knew that third goal was going to be the key and it proved to be. You could see Coventry getting more possession.

Sunderland went to a back three. Why they did that, I don't know. They had no outball. Every time they cleared it, the ball just kept coming back.

When you get a cross like that, all you have got to do is meet it and that is what Rudoni did - back on level terms - they fully deserve that for me.

Bristol City

Bristol City manager Liam Manning said the performance from his side was "terrific" after they became the first team to beat Norwich at Carrow Road for a year - bringing an end to their 21-game unbeaten home run.

“It was tough to take on Tuesday [defeat to Sheffield United] because of the performance and I thought we backed it up today with a top performance," Manning told BBC Radio Bristol:

“In terms of the defensive side of it, the way we blocked, the way we pressed, I thought we really restricted them to very few opportunities. I thought it was a really professional away performance.

“This is a tough place to come - they hadn’t lost here in over a year - and with quite a few missing as well I thought the lads did a terrific job.

"We didn’t just see the game out, we defended really well, kept the ball when we got it, carried a threat on the counter and we had real purpose to what we did.”

We've got an absolutely unmissable Sunday coming up for you with not one, not two but three Championship games, headlined by one of England's biggest derbies at Bramall Lane.

Promotion-chasing Sheffield United entertain city rivals Wednesday in the Steel City derby at 12:30 GMT.

Hull City will look to end a six-game winless run against West Bromwich Albion, who have drawn their last six matches, when they kick off at 13:00 GMT.

Burnley face Swansea City at Turf Moor at 15:00 GMT to complete another big weekend of football in the EFL.

Before we get more reaction from today's 3pm games, time for a look at what's coming up on a hugely exciting Sunday...

Steven Wyeth
Final Score

There was Elland Road jubilation at the game's conclusion, but some relief too and for a long time frustration was the prevailing mood.

On form it should've been straight-forward for the side aiming to go second against the team now bottom, and the balance of play gave the same impression.

However Leeds were wasteful, lacked the necessary penetration and Jayden Bogle's goal looked a precarious advantage until top-scorer Joel Piroe settled anxieties in stoppage time.

Leeds well worth a fourth win in six, they will just hope room for improvement proves to be a good thing. Improvement is something QPR can only aspire too, they remain without a win since August.

Marc Webber
Final Score

The stands told the story before the final whistle had blown.

The home stands emptying, the Bristol City end bouncing.

An astute performance by the visitors as they overturned a Norwich year-long home unbeaten run in the league.

They absorbed the chances and pressure put their way by Norwich, and were alert to the opportunities to score.

Cardiff City

Cardiff City interim boss Omer Riza told BBC Sport Wales:

"It’s football, ups and downs, wins and losses. Today the first half was unacceptable and I told the players that. You can’t start games slowly thinking everything is going to be easy.

"We lacked intensity and urgency in the first half. We were our own worst enemies.

"In the second half the reaction was better and we tried to pressurise them, have the ball a lot more. Did we have the quality we needed? Not really.

"We got back in the game and were pushing and the crowd were up but we got hit by a sucker-punch because of the things we haven’t done well, tracking runners and stopping the opposition from scoring.

"Overall, it was disappointing."

Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn Rovers boss John Eustace was happy with his side's performance as they ran out 3-1 winners at the Cardiff City Stadium in one of the day's three early kick-offs.

"I thought we were excellent. We dominated the game in the first half with great possession football," Eustace told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"We scored a fantastic goal in the first half... it was a goal of real quality with 40-odd passes. We knew Cardiff would put us under pressure.

"We scored the second at the right time and then gave a soft penalty away and gave Cardiff a lifeline.

"But the character we showed to get the third goal and the way we defended our box was excellent."

Image source, Rex Features

Millwall

Millwall boss Neil Harris told BBC Radio London:

"It's an excellent point. The whole ground, and probably the whole football industry, thought 'Millwall are 1-0 up, that's how it's going to finish', but Stoke are a good side in a good moment.

"They caused a lot of problems in the middle third all game, but I think we had the better chances so I'm delighted with a point.

"Ultimately it's not just one game, I look at the week and the seven points in a week.

"For us to play Burnley and Leeds at home and come to Stoke, a ground where we've not done great at for a long time, it's a fantastic week for us."

Stoke City

Stoke boss Narcis Pelach says his side should have had a penalty and a red card in the Potters' 1-1 lunchtime draw with Millwall.

Lions skipper Jake Cooper appeared to pull down Wouter Burger in the box with the score 1-0 to Millwall.

"It’s a penalty for us, a red card, and then probably we win the game so I’m disappointed," he told BBC Radio Stoke.

"It would have been a great week with three wins, but we have to take the point, it is what it is, and don't get frustrated.

"They got it wrong, it’s clear, everyone has seen it. The job of the referee is not easy, we are all human beings and we make mistakes.

"The team is very frustrated because with this we would probably have won the game, but I don't want to focus on things that we cannot control.

"They have apologised for the mistake. I have been in charge for 10 or 11 games here and it has happened three times to me now.

"I accept the apologies. We’re all human beings, I’m okay with that, it is what it is, and then hopefully one day it will go the other way."

Middlesbrough

Image source, PA Media

Middlesbrough head coach Michael Carrick was delighted after his side thrashed Luton Town 5-1 at Riverside earlier today.

"It was a really good day," Carrick told BBC Tees.

"We had to be good to win because the way they play, they make it really difficult and you could see that at the start of the game with the way they pressed man for man.

"The longer the game went, we got to grips with it, and the ideas we were looking at started to come off and you could see the front lads were really good today.

"As a team I thought we were terrific, I thought we defended really well. The midfield boys were fantastic off the ball and picking up second balls and starting our attacks.

"That is two or three weeks now where we have scored a good number of goals and it is a great feeling for the boys to have."

Luton Town

Image source, PA Media

On his future at the club, Luton boss Rob Edwards added to BBC Three Counties Radio:

"Whatever will be, will be, I'm not in control of that stuff. I love this football club, it's been one hell of a ride and we've achieved things probably no-one thought was possible.

"If that is it, we can hold our heads high, we've given everything - if it's not, then we continue to fight.

"I don't want to be a divisive figure here. I'm realistic, I'm proud of the work we've done here but today was not a good day and the last few months have been tough.

"The football club always comes first. I'm a big man and know how the game works. I've tried my best."

Luton Town

Luton Town manager Rob Edwards has apologised to the Hatters supporters after they watched their side get torn apart by Middlesbrough in the lunchtime kick-off.

"The people I feel for most are the supporters who either got up really early this morning to make it for kick-off or came up last night and spent even more money," Edwards told BBC Three Counties Radio.

"I obviously feel quite numb. It's a horrible, horrible day for us, one of those days when you want the ground to swallow you up.

"I thought for the first 30-odd minutes we were playing really well but a couple of errors and we go in 2-0 down, and then a few more errors and all of a sudden it's 4-0.

"Some of them (who started) performed well, and maybe one or two didn't, but it's not their fault, it's mine."