Tom Cannon’s stoppage-time goal ended struggling Stoke’s long wait for a win in the Championship as they snatched a 1-0 victory over promotion-chasing Sunderland.
Just when it looked as though the two teams would be settling for a point each, Cannon won it for Stoke at the death when he battled for possession before firing into the bottom corner from just outside the area. The Potters were under the caretaker charge of Ryan Shawcross after sacking Narcís Pelach on Friday, and the club great wildly celebrated what was their first win in 10 games. It lifted them four points clear of the relegation zone and it came following a superb performance in goal by Viktor Johansson, who produced a series of fine saves to thwart the visitors.
Ciaron Brown and Przemyslaw Placheta both scored for the second game running to help Gary Rowett make it two wins from two as Oxford’s new boss with a 2-0 victory over bottom club Plymouth. This was an 11th defeat in 13 games on the road for Argyle’s under-pressure manager Wayne Rooney.
Northern Ireland international Brown met Tyler Goodrham’s cross with a diving header to put the U’s in front in the 14th minute. Both teams struck the bar before Placheta doubled the lead with a superb individual goal in the 61st minute, outpacing Brendan Galloway and turning back on himself inside the area to fire low past keeper Conor Hazard. That brought the familiar chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” not just from the home fans, but many in the away section too, towards the former Manchester United and England striker Rooney.
Blackburn’s promotion bid was dealt a blow as they lost 1-0 at home to Hull. Ryan Longman’s first goal of the season was enough to secure the Tigers their first away win since October and leave Rovers with just one point from their last three matches.
Watford also suffered a setback in their bid for a top-six finish as they lost 2-1 at home to Cardiff, who won for the first time on the road this season. Callum Robinson put the Bluebirds ahead inside the opening minute and struck his second for the visitors after Giorgi Chakvetadze’s equaliser.
Anis Mehmeti fired a first-half double as Bristol City beat Portsmouth 3-0 at Ashton Gate, with Rob Dickie also on target for the Robins. Back-to-back defeats have left Pompey second-bottom, two points from safety.
Marcelino Núñez’s late strike rescued Norwich a point in a 1-1 draw against QPR at Carrow Road after Ante Crnac’s own goal had given the visitors the lead just before half-time.
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Myles Peart-Harris’ stoppage-time header clinched Swansea a 2-1 home win against 10-man Luton, who slumped to their 10th league defeat on the road this season. Gonçalo Franco cancelled out Carlton Morris’ early opener for Luton before the break and after visiting defender Joe Johnson had been sent off for his second bookable offence, Peart-Harris struck in the first minute of added time.
Coventry were held 0-0 at home by Millwall and Preston made it back-to-back league wins for the first time this season thanks to Emil Riis’ double in a 3-1 home win against Sheffield Wednesday. Danish forward Riis struck either side of Sam Greenwood’s second-half penalty, which the latter converted five minutes after Josh Windass had struck a long-range equaliser for Wednesday.