Summary

  • Leaders Leicester score three in six minutes as they thrash Plymouth

  • Second-placed Ipswich win at Middlesbrough to keep pressure on

  • James and Summerville goals help Leeds win at Blackburn

  • Sheff Wed get late winner at Stoke to move off bottom and heap pressure on Neil

  • QPR close to two points from safety after beating Hull

  • Managerless Sunderland beat West Brom to sneak into sixth

  • Cardiff and Swansea win, Huddersfield-Bristol City, Norwich-Preston & Watford-Southampton draw

  1. CLOSE!published at 15:24 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Huddersfield 0-0 Bristol City

    Bristol City should have the lead, they have been all over the hosts Huddersfield Town.

    But the Robins' goalkeeper Max O'Leary just hit the ball straight onto the head of the pressing Danny Ward inside the area, side netting hit.

  2. Postpublished at 15:21 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Leicester 1-0 Plymouth

    Sanny Rudravajhala
    Reporting for 5 Live Sport

    That was all about Stephy Mavididi - trickery inside the box and backed himself from the spot too.

    Even Plymouth keeper Michael Cooper's positively Barbie-esque all-pink kit couldn't put him off.

    That's five in the league for the ex-Juventus man. It's going to be a long afternoon for Argyle.

  3. RED CARDpublished at 15:21 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Rotherham 0-0 Swansea

    Daniel Ayala red cardImage source, Rex Features

    Daniel Ayala has been sent-off, for two yellows in the space of four minutes.

    The first was for wasting time after a throw and the second was for a half-way line foul.

    The Millers defender is off. Cheaply so.

  4. Postpublished at 15:19 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Rotherham 0-0 Swansea

    As was mentioned before kick-off, these two sides are slightly rudderless at the moment with both guided by interim gaffers.

    Christ Tiehi has had Rotherham's best chance with a drive saved by Carl Rushworth.

    Daniel Ayala has been booked for the Millers too.

  5. CLOSE!published at 15:17 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    QPR 0-0 Hull

    QPR on top at home to Hull City.

    Big chance for QPR, Lyndon Dykes on the stretch just cannot convert a Kenneth Paal cross.

  6. 'Not a lot is happening'published at 15:17 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Stoke 0-0 Sheff Wed

    John Pearson
    Former Sheffield Wednesday forward on BBC Radio Sheffield

    You can tell that not a lot is happening on the pitch as we are talking about the weather.

    The final ball has let Sheffield Wednesday down so far.

  7. goal

    GOAL: Leicester 1-0 Plymouthpublished at 15:17 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Stephy Mavididi (14 mins)

    Leicester scoreImage source, Rex Features

    Stephy Mavididi makes no mistake from the spot.

    That's his second goal in his past seven Leicester games and the hosts are off the mark.

    Not the start Plymouth will have wanted.

  8. PENALTY TO LEICESTERpublished at 15:16 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Leicester 0-0 Plymouth

    Leicester win a penalty as Plymouth's Julio Pleguezuelo brings down Stephy Mavididi.

    Can the Foxes capitalise?

    Mavididi looks as if he's going to take the penalty himself.

  9. Postpublished at 15:14 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Leicester 0-0 Plymouth

    Good stuff from Leicester early on against Plymouth.

    Abdul Fatawu sends a cross in towards Patson Daka which just evades him.

    Soon after the Foxes keep the pressure on as Wilfried Ndidi heads over the bar.

  10. Postpublished at 15:14 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Stoke 0-0 Sheff Wed

    More bookings than shots, with one apiece for Stoke and Sheffield Wednesday.

    Stoke had Wouter Burger yellowed for a challenge on Will Vaulks, while Owls defender Akin Famewo got a booking too after a foul on Ben Pearson.

  11. Postpublished at 15:12 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Middlesbrough 0-0 Ipswich

    Middlesbrough v IpswichImage source, Rex Features

    Middlesbrough look to slip away and cause problems through Morgan Rogers but a bulldozing challenge by Cameron Burgess keeps him in check.

    Neither the hosts or Ipswich have been able to crack on really here in a pensive opening.

  12. Postpublished at 15:06 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Norwich 0-0 Preston

    Norwich v PrestonImage source, Getty Images

    Norwich are putting the pressure on Preston in the opening stages here.

    Gabriel Sara makes a run into the box but his effort is well dealt with by Jack Whatmough.

  13. Postpublished at 15:04 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Huddersfield 0-0 Bristol City

    Bristol City are all over Huddersfield in the first three minutes.

    Chris Maxwell has made two saves already as the Terriers cannot get out of their own half.

    Mark Sykes and Tommy Conway with the Robins' two early shots on target.

  14. KICK-OFFpublished at 15:02 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    #bbcefl

    Harry the HornetImage source, PA Media

    We're getting under way in our nine Championship games, do stay with us for what should be a cracking 90 minutes + injury time of live text commentary.

  15. Stoke boss Neil needs a winpublished at 14:58 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Stoke v Sheff Wed (15:00 GMT)

    Ben Croucher
    BBC Final Score

    Bet365 StadiumImage source, BBC Sport

    Funny game this football malarky.

    Conceding two late winners in two games and Stoke are on a three-game losing run, rather than back-to-back draws.

    Some sections of the Stoke support wonder if defeat to basement side Sheffield Wednesday would be the end for Alex Neil, though the mood here is that that’s unlikely. He said he’ll die before he quits.

    Those I’ve spoken to think lose today and to Swansea at home on Tuesday and it could give the board some pondering to do.

  16. League position means Preston 'shouldn't panic'published at 14:56 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Norwich v Preston (15:00 GMT)

    Preston North End boss Ryan LoweImage source, Rex Features

    Preston North End boss Ryan Lowe says there should be no panic over his side's form given their position in the Championship table.

    The Lilywhites take on Norwich today having lost three successive league games, dropping to eighth position in the process.

    Lowe's side are still just two points outside the play-off positions, however.

    "We need to believe in our ability and believe we can win anywhere," Lowe told BBC Radio Lancashire.

    "We're still in a fantastic position. I get if we keep losing games, we'll drop down the league, we know that. But where we are, there shouldn't really be any panic. Yes we've lost three on the bounce and that's not good enough, we know that. But it's how we put it right.

    "Tottenham Hotspur lost three on the bounce. Manchester City have drawn three and lost one. It happens to teams up and down the country."

  17. Two wise Man United menpublished at 14:54 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Middlesbrough v Ipswich (15:00 GMT)

    Michael Carrick and Kieran McKennaImage source, Getty Images

    The list of graduates from the Manchester United system in coaching terms might not be quite as prolific as the playing staff compendium, but in Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna, there are two shining examples of talent.

    Carrick has proven himself to be a thoughtful head coach at Middlesbrough, tactically astute and inspiring a talented side to again seek a play-off spot at the very least. They might be 12th but they're still in the chasing pack.

    His opposite number McKenna was greeted with derision from some quarters when he was appointed permanent Ipswich Town boss, but you'd struggle to find anyone who'll admit to such suspicion now.

    McKenna might lack the playing CV of Carrick but he has worked miracles at Portman Road, inspiring automatic promotion and continuing that trajectory in the Championship to keep on the tails of Leicester. They're second with 14 wins.

    Today's encounter promises plenty from two bosses with an ethos to play attractive, effective football.

  18. Home banker for Leicester?published at 14:52 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Leicester v Plymouth (15:00 GMT)

    Harry SouttarImage source, Getty Images

    Top of the league against a side who are still searching for their first away win of the campaign.

    Plymouth have also won only one of their previous 21 visits to Leicester - but the Foxes will know not to take this one lightly, as Argyle have already pushed promotion contenders Ipswich and Leeds all the way on their travels.

    Both sides scored stoppage-time winners last time out - although the Pilgrims are 16th, only five sides have scored more goals than them - so expect an open game at the King Power Stadium.

    Could that play into the hands of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and co?

  19. Recent Prem sides meet at Vicarage Roadpublished at 14:50 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Watford v Southampton (15:00 GMT)

    Russell MartinImage source, PA Media

    Southampton, unbeaten in last 11, have scored the opening goal in their last 12 games.

    They beat Cardiff 2-0 last Saturday and sit fourth.

    Adam Armstrong is second in the Championship goalscoring charts with 12, plus four assists.

    Watford won the most recent meeting - 2-1 away in the Premier League in March 2022 - for their first win in eight against Saints.

    This is their first Championship meeting since 2012.

  20. Lions chase the Bluebirdspublished at 14:47 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Cardiff v Millwall (15:00 GMT)

    Cardiff have lost three of their last four matches, and won just one of the last 12 meetings between these two sides.

    They have scored the most goals in the league from set pieces - will Millwall be able to minimise these chances?

    In his debut game, former England Under-20s manager Joe Edwards led Millwall to a 4–0 win at Sheffield Wednesday, the Lions largest away win in the second tier for 22 years, but they have struggled since.

    Millwall have won just once in nine, though they have won the last three meetings - including the most recent 1-0 at Cardiff in January.