FARKE JOY AS WHITES REPLY IN FINE STYLE

CHAMPIONSHIP MIDWEEK ROUND-UP

By John Lyons

JOB DONE: Leeds’ Ao Tanaka celebrates

LEEDS boss Daniel Farke hailed his side’s bouncebackability after they overcame Millwall to return to the top of the table.

After seeing their 17-match unbeaten league run come to an end at Portsmouth last Sunday, the Whites were desperate to get back to winning ways at fortress Elland Road.

A third-minute Jake Cooper own-goal and Ao Tanaka strike with five minutes left earned the Whites a solid 2-0victory against a Lions side that had beaten them twice this season.

“It is so important for us that when there is a little setback that we answer straight away,” Farke told BBC Radio Leeds.

“That is what we have always done during the season so far – I love it. It was an excellent performance.”

Leeds’ victory on Wednesday was all the sweeter because it meant they took advantage of slips by promotion rivals Sheffield United and Burnley the night before.

The Blades looked all set for another three points courtesy of Tyrese Campbell’s clinical finish just after the hour. However, play-off chasing Bristol City levelled when sub Mark Sykes swept home in the last minute.

Burnley also had to settle for a share of the spoils on home soil, drawing 1-1with West Brom. John Swift’s superb free-kick gave the visiting Baggies a 20th-minute lead, but the Clarets equalised when Zian Flemming took advantage of a fumble three minutes later.

In a fiery ending, Burnley manager Scott Parker and defender CJ Egan-Riley were both sent off after the final whistle.

Romaine Mundle curled home a brilliant equaliser on 86 minutes to earn Sunderland a home draw against Preston (Emil Riis, 65 mins).

Goals from Michael Ihiekwe (64), Josh Windass (72) and Djeidi Gassama (76) helped Sheffield Wednesday overcome a 2-0deficit to stun Norwich at Carrow Road. Borja Sainz and Ante Crnac netted for the Canaries in the first half.

Middlesbrough edged out QPR 2-1and Watford beat Swansea 1-0.

Incredibly, five of the bottom six ahead of the midweek games triumphed. Basement side Plymouth won their first away game of the season with a 2-1success at Portsmouth, The-lo Aasgaard scored an 80th-minute winner as Luton came from behind to win a relegation six-pointer at Cardiff and Derby beat in-form Coventry 2-0.

Ali Al-Hamadi bagged the only goal as Stoke edged out Blackburn and Hull hit back to beat Oxford 2-1.