The Premier League beckons. Leeds United and Burnley moved within touching distance of promotion with gritty wins on a pulsating Friday night that could prove pivotal in the Championship race.
Burnley briefly topped the table after a 2-1 comeback win over Watford, only for Leeds to reclaim the summit hours later with a nervy 1-0 triumph at Kassam Stadium over Oxford United. Both clubs are now tied at 91 points with just three matches left, separated only by Leeds’ superior goal difference.
Manor Solomon fired Leeds into the lead in the 33rd minute, rifling Jayden Bogle’s layoff into the roof of the net. From there, the Whites held firm to grind out a vital three points and edge closer to an automatic return to the top flight.
Burnley’s clash with Watford was anything but straightforward. The hosts struck early through Mamadou Doumbia, but the Clarets roared back just before the break with Zian Flemming diving to meet a swift counter. Josh Brownhill then headed home the winner in the 58th minute, as Watford imploded with two red cards. Moussa Sissoko and Edo Kayembe were both sent off in a fiery encounter.
“We knew it would be a battle,” said Burnley boss Scott Parker. “But the calmness we showed under pressure was outstanding.”
Burnley are now unbeaten in 30 league games. Meanwhile, Sheffield United refused to go quietly, keeping their promotion hopes alive with a clinical 2-0 win over relegation-threatened Cardiff. The Blades sit third on 86 points, five behind the leaders.
The math is simple: if Leeds beat Stoke and Burnley down Sheffield on Monday, both will punch their Premier League tickets.
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Playoff chase
Frank Lampard’s Coventry City strengthened their playoff push, cruising to a 2-0 derby win over 10-man West Brom. Bristol City held off fourth-placed Sunderland in a crucial 2-1 victory, narrowing the gap in fifth. Middlesbrough left it late, but a 93rd-minute penalty from Tommy Conway gave them a 2-1 lifeline over bottom-club Plymouth.
Relegation watch
Luton Town grabbed a lifeline with a 1-0 win over Derby, thanks to Millenic Alli’s first-half strike. The bottom of the table remains tight: Plymouth (40), Cardiff (42), Derby and Luton (43 each) are all locked in a desperate scramble to survive.
(With inputs from Reuters)