Championship roundup: Whittaker hits hat-trick as Plymouth maul Norwich
Morgan Whittaker scored his first Championship hat-trick as Plymouth stormed to a 6-2 thrashing of Norwich at Home Park. Promoted Argyle had the points all-but wrapped up by half-time after racing into a 4-0 lead through two from Whittaker and further goals from Dan Scarr and Finn Azaz.
Whittaker, a £1m signing from Swansea, then added his third just before the hour and, although Norwich pulled two back through Adam Idah, the hosts wrapped up a comprehensive win late on through Luke Cundle.
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Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson’s first return to Leicester since leaving the club in 2015 ended in defeat as his former team moved back to the top of the table with a 1-0 victory.
The winner came from Jamie Vardy, a player Pearson brought to the King Power Stadium 11 years ago. His 67th-minute penalty, after Kai Naismith had brought down Wilfred Ndidi, set up Leicester’s seventh league win of the season, and their third in succession.
Australian midfielder Massimo Luongo struck a late winner as Ipswich recorded a dramatic 4-3 victory over Blackburn in a pulsating game at Portman Road. The result lifted Town to second place – and they have now won 19 of their past 22 league matches.
Goals from Harry Clarke, Nathan Broadhead and George Hirst put the hosts in control in the first half after Arnor Sigurdsson equalised. An own goal from Clarke cut the deficit before Sammie Szmodics levelled but Luongo’s effort made it seven wins from eight league games this season for Ipswich.
Jamie Vardy sends Leicester top of the Championship with his winner from the spot against Bristol City. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA
Preston’s winning streak ended with a 1-1 draw at Rotherham. The visitors had won their past six games to storm to the top of the table, but they were held by the Millers, with former North End man Jordan Hugill scoring for the home side. Liam Lindsay ensured Preston left with a point after grabbing an equaliser on the stroke of half-time.
Middlesbrough claimed their first league win of the season at the eighth time of asking as they came from behind to beat Southampton 2-1 at the Riverside. Michael Carrick’s side looked to be heading for another difficult afternoon when Adam Armstrong slotted home a 17th-minute opener.
However, after Riley McGree fired the Teessiders level just before half-time, Jonny Howson claimed a welcome winner from the penalty spot midway through the second half. The victory lifts Middlesbrough off the foot of the table, while defeat for Southampton means Russell Martin’s side have now suffered four losses in row.
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Second-half goals from Joel Piroe, Sam Byram and Jaidon Anthony earned Leeds a deserved 3-0 win over Watford at Elland Road. Piroe gave Leeds the lead midway through the second half as he volleyed home to finish off a fine move by Daniel Farke’s side. Byram capped his return to the side as he headed in from a corner and Anthony’s late goal moved Leeds up to fifth.
Sheffield Wednesday fans turned on manager, Xisco Muñoz, as their team were brushed aside 3-0 by fellow strugglers Swansea in Wales. Goals by Jamal Lowe, Jerry Yates and Charlie Patino ensured Wednesday’s long wait for a win on their return to the Championship extended to an eighth game.
Wednesday fans sold out the away end, but were forced to witness a limp display from their team which saw them threaten only in very brief spells. They called for Muñoz to go at regular intervals throughout the second half as defeat became inevitable.
West Brom failed to put Millwall to the sword after hitting the bar twice in a 0-0 draw but the hosts were also indebted to goalkeeper Alex Palmer for his first-half penalty save. Palmer denied Millwall forward Zian Flemming from the spot in the 27th minute, before Alex Mowatt and Brandon Thomas-Asante hit the woodwork after the break. The result means West Brom have gone four games without a win, drawing their past three.