FARKE SO PROUD AS HIS BOYS DIG DEEP

CHAMPIONSHIP MIDWEEK ROUND-UP

By John Lyons

FAST START: Dan James, centre, takes acclaim

DELIGHTED boss Daniel Farke hailed the character of his players after Leeds returned to the top of the table with a hard-fought victory at Middlesbrough.

After one win in six, the Whites badly needed a maximum haul and it came via Dan James’ second minute goal, the Welshman sliding in to convert Manor Solomon’s superb low ball across goal from close range.

“I’m proud of my boys,” said Farke. “It was a tough game, overall an excellent advert for the Championship. We had to dig in and show steel, togetherness and spirit to bring this over the line in a hard-fought game and a well-deserved win.”

Leeds took advantage of slips by promotion rivals Burnley and Sheffield United to go back to the summit. The Clarets lost top spot after a goalless draw at Derby, while United suffered a second successive 1-0defeat. Josh Coburn fired home a 21st minute winner as Millwall stunned Bramall Lane.

Fourth-placed Sunderland drew 0-0at Norwich, while Bristol City climbed a place to fifth with a vital last-gasp 2-1win against fellow play-off chasers West Brom at Ashton Gate.

Haydon Roberts drilled home in the sixth minute of stoppage time against a Baggies side down to ten men following the 89th-minute dismissal of Jayson Molumby for a late challenge. Nahki Wells (56 minutes) had earlier given the Robins the lead before a defensive mix-up allowed Alex Mowatt to level six minutes later.

Coventry moved into the top six with victory versus Portsmouth – and it was another late strike that proved decisive. Just as it looked the match was going to finish goalless, up popped Jamie Paterson to volley in a superb winner from Jack Rudoni’s cross on 94 minutes.

Moussa Sissoko (55) bagged the only goal as Watford edged out Hull, while Swansea brushed aside basement outfit Plymouth 3-0with first half goals from Lewis O’Brien, Harry Darling and Josh Key, the latter with a spectacular long-range strike. QPR ran out impressive 3-1winners at Oxford.

Sub Millenic Alli cracked home a precious last-gasp equaliser from a tight angle for lowly Luton to thwart hosts Stoke, who had taken the lead through Lewis Baker’s deflected 74th-minute free-kick.

Yuki Ohashi netted an 85th-minute equaliser as hosts Blackburn came from 2-0down at half-time to draw with Sheffield Wednesday, while sub Yakou Meite netted deep in stoppage time to earn Cardiff a precious point from a 2-2draw at Preston.