Coventry City have opened up a commanding eight-point gap at the summit of the Championship following a gritty 1-0 triumph over Swansea City at home. Ephron Mason-Clark's powerful finish just before half-time proved decisive, securing a ninth home league win of the season for Frank Lampard's side.
Sky Blues Grind Out Crucial Win
The usually free-scoring hosts were frustrated for large periods by a resolute Swansea defence but found a breakthrough on the stroke of half-time. Mason-Clark's emphatic strike gave Coventry a lead they would narrowly protect, despite the visitors creating several good second-half chances. Liam Cullen and Melker Widell both spurned opportunities to equalise for Swansea.
The result means Coventry remain unbeaten at home this season and have now established a formidable 13-point cushion over the teams in the playoff positions. Their quest to bring Premier League football back to the city for the first time in a quarter of a century is gathering significant momentum.
Leicester's Struggles Continue with Home Defeat
Elsewhere, Leicester City's faltering campaign suffered another blow as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at home to Watford. The Foxes took an early lead through Jordan James's deflected effort but were pegged back before half-time by Othmane Maamma.
Watford captain Imrân Louza, who provided the assist for the equaliser, was the architect of the winner, crossing for Mattie Pollock to head home in the 65th minute. The victory marks Watford's first back-to-back wins this term, lifting them to within a point of the playoff spots, while Leicester slip into the bottom half of the table.
Other Championship Action
The Championship's early kick-off saw Millwall and Ipswich Town play out a goalless draw at The Den, a result that does little for either side's top-six ambitions. Christian Walton in the Ipswich goal made several important saves to preserve the point.
In a dramatic finish at the Kassam Stadium, Oxford United shocked Southampton with a 2-1 victory. Stan Mills scored a spectacular individual goal in the 89th minute, running 50 yards before firing past Gavin Bazunu to secure all three points for the managerless U's.
Sheffield Wednesday remain rooted to the bottom after a 2-2 draw with Hull City at Hillsborough. The Owls twice led through Svante Ingelsson and Bailey Cadamarteri, but goals from Mohamed Belloumi and Matt Crooks earned Hull a point.
Bristol City climbed into the top six with a 2-1 away win at West Bromwich Albion, thanks to first-half goals from Anis Mehmeti and Ross McCrorie. Birmingham City and Derby County drew 1-1 in a feisty encounter that saw both teams finish with ten men after red cards for Joe Ward and Christoph Klarer.
Portsmouth were denied a win at Fratton Park as Jimmy Dunne's header earned Queens Park Rangers a 1-1 draw, while Preston North End's unbeaten run extended to seven games after a 0-0 stalemate at Stoke City. Norwich City continued their improved form under Philippe Clement with a 1-0 win over Charlton Athletic, courtesy of Jovon Makama's third goal in as many games.
