Championship (England)

Conor Chaplin opened the scoring for the Tractor Boys, but Birmingham equalised in the closing minutes of the first half through Jordan James.

Jeremy Sarmiento put the Town back ahead before Omari Hutchinson wrapped up the three points late on.

The result drew Ipswich level on points with second-placed Leeds, but have an inferior goal difference after the Yorkshire outfit defeated table-toppers Leicester on Friday evening.

The visitors, without manager Tony Mowbray due to medical treatment and who was a key member of the Town’s promotion winning campaign in 1999-00 campaign, fell down three places to 18th spot.

McKenna said: “I thought it was a really good performance and I enjoyed it, and I was pleased with all aspects of it.

“We were really good off the ball, aggressive against a good footballing team, and didn’t really give them any confidence to grow in the game.

“We attacked well, had a threat throughout the game, but found control in the right moments and appropriately patient in the second half.

“It was an excellent performance and a really good day.

“I thought we started the game excellently and we didn’t let up too much in the first half.

“Of course Wes (Burns) going off – that’s something you have to respond to – and then Omari (Hutchinson) comes on and does great and I thought it was a really good start to the game.

“I thought that it was another good performance. We caused a change in their shape they went with, they tried to break the flow and I felt like the goal was coming.

“We knew we had players on the bench who could impact, but even the players on the pitch at that time I shared their belief that if we kept doing the right things the goal would come.”

Assistant manager Mark Venus, who is in charge in Mowbray’s absence, admitted it was a “tough afternoon” for his side.

He said: “It was a tough afternoon to a point. We got a slow start and then got back in the game and I thought for the second half for a period we sort of contained them without really threatening, but we didn’t have enough moments from our team.

“We put a lot of work in to contain Ipswich, but there was not enough of those moments.”

The former Ipswich defender added: “I think they (Ipswich) have to be given a bit of credit on the day, I think they played really well. They were on the front foot, they had a lot of purpose, they have a big pot at the end of the season if they can achieve it and they have taken three teams right to the wire.

“We have to maintain our league position and league status this season and that is the aim and that is the aim for the next 13 games. We have to pick the points up, which we need to get to that point.”

The seven-time Super Bowl champion, recognised as one of the sporting greats, has partnered with the club’s holding company Knighthead Capital Management LLC and becomes chairman of a new advisory board.

The club say Brady will “apply his extensive leadership experience and expertise across several components of the club, including working alongside the sports science department to advise on health, nutrition, wellness, and recovery systems and programs”.

He said on the club’s official website: “Birmingham is an iconic club with so much history and passion and to be part of the Blues is a real honour for me.

“BCFC is built on teamwork and determination and I’m excited to work alongside the board, management and players to make our second-city club second to none.

“I’ve been part of some amazing teams in my day, and I’m looking forward to applying my perspective to create that same success here in Birmingham.”

Brady has partnered up with Knighthead Capital on several other ventures and new Blues chairman Tom Wagner is looking forward to Brady’s “direct impact”.

He said: “Tom Brady joining the Birmingham team is a statement of intent. We are setting the bar at world class.

“Tom is both investing and committing his time and extensive expertise. As chair of the advisory board Tom will have a direct impact on the club. The men’s, women’s, and academy teams are going to benefit from the knowledge.

“The goal that Tom has committed to own is to make Birmingham a respected leader in nutrition, health, wellness, and recovery across the world of football.

“A commitment to Blues fans was made on Monday May 8 2023, to add experts from the world of sport and football to the team, putting in place the building blocks for future success. With Garry Cook as CEO, Hope Powell as women’s technical director and now Tom Brady we are off to a fast start.

“Success does not come overnight. It takes time. But when you have great leaders in place everything becomes possible.”

In their first Championship fixture following three seasons in the top flight, Leeds had to come back from two down at the interval against the Bluebirds.

Crysencio Summerville bagged the leveller the hosts had richly deserved deep into stoppage time.

“To be honest I’m really disappointed in the end,” said Farke.

“When you judge the game in an obvious way, by looking at the statistics, it’s a scandal that we didn’t win the game.

“In the second half in particular, there was only one team playing and chasing for everything.

“It was looking like a power play at times, but we just couldn’t get the second goal we were looking for.

“I just have to praise and compliment the lads, though. They’ve all put in a terrific shift.

“For us to go and equalise in the 95th minute after taking so many things in the neck, well, that just shows the character out there.

“It was a really important point for the confidence and the spirit, and we have to move on to the next game positively.”

Farke also saluted 17-year-old Archie Gray – grandson of Leeds great Frank and great nephew of Eddie – who made a hugely impressive debut at Elland Road.

Farke added: “I’m careful not to praise my young lads too much, but if you promise not to tell Archie what I’m going to say, he was outstanding.

“He wasn’t perfect, but overall, for such a young lad, it was a top-class performance.”

Cardiff led 2-0 at the interval thanks to two of their debutants – Josh Bowler and Ike Ugbo.

However, just four minutes after the restart Liam Cooper’s bullet header halved Leeds’ deficit.

It was Summerville who was the hosts’ hero late on, though, as he pounced with his stoppage-time leveller.

It was tough on new-look Cardiff, who impressed at Elland Road after finishing last term down in 21st place in the second tier.

New boss Erol Bulut was generally encouraged when reflecting on his first game in charge.

“I think the draw was a fair result for us,” said Bulut.

“We managed the pressure in the second half really well, but when you concede a goal just after half-time and then one at 90+5, you’re never going to like it, and I don’t like it.

“We played against a really good Leeds team.

“Individually they are very, very good, and they did put us under a lot of pressure in that second half.

“The atmosphere was great, too, and you expect that at the big games in this division.

“The result, though, with the way it was at one point, we have to be happy.

“I am very positive about the first-half performance, and that’s everything offensively and defensively, but we have to put the bad things away.

“If Joe Ralls hadn’t got injured so early, maybe things would have been different.

“I don’t know about that. Football is like that.

“You can’t say anything about ‘ifs’.

“Today happened, Joe got injured, but we got a point here and that is good.”

Two Ike Ugbo goals either side of a Jason Knight header gave the Owls another massively important three-point haul in their quest to stay in the Sky Bet Championship next season, despite Di’Shon Bernard being sent off in the second half.

Rohl said: “It was a very good performance from the team today. Bristol City are a strong team with a good manager but we focused more on ourselves in preparation for the game.

“Ike is an impact player. He has been really good for us since he joined; he is scoring goals and helping the team. He has worked really hard and we trust him.

“In the second half we had some big chances to finish the game but we didn’t quite get the final part right. We are creating a lot more chances.

“I think we are doing so much better compared to how we have played in the past. We are always in games and we know what we have to do.

“Bristol came more into the game and it became difficult for us after the red card but the boys dug in and defended well. We are getting really good at breaking the rhythm of our opponents.

“For me, this is a big step forward. It’s crunch time – we have 12 games to go and we will keep working every day; this is our job. Every match is an opportunity to close the gap.

“We are happy with the win but we have to keep on going. It’s another big game for us against Rotherham next Saturday.”

Bristol City boss Liam Manning said his side will have some regrets following the defeat.

Manning said: “I thought in the first 10 minutes we started well. We then faced some adversity and pressure and that’s when we have to step up and be counted.

“We engaged higher in the second half and I thought we were better. It was more an issue of quality rather than behaviour, which we lacked in the first half.

“This isn’t the first time we’ve lacked quality in the final third. That’s now two games in a row we’ve not been at the level we need to be.

“Before we even go into the tactical stuff we weren’t doing the basics right. The first goal can’t happen in the way it did.

“If you don’t dominate in the duels, you’re always going to be up against it. We’ve got to look at ourselves across the board.

“We have to drive a real high standard and we have to have that edge to us. The only way to improve is by learning and this group has a willingness to do so.

“We got control of the game in the second half but we showed a lack of care and detail in our execution. We didn’t step up as a collective and we have to use this as an experience to be more resilient.

“We have to be a little bit better than that overall. We’ll get back in on Monday and look at how we can correct it.”

The two friends were expected to be joined by another fellow professional Rickie Fowler but he pulled out of a deal when the club were relegated from the Premier League in May.

Spieth and Thomas have got on board with 49ers Enterprises, an American investment group which also owns the San Francisco 49ers NFL franchise, who took charge of the club after agreeing a deal to buy out chairman Andrea Radrizzani’s controlling stake.

“Relegation wasn’t ideal but then we got involved with the 49ers group who were purchasing a larger share in Leeds United to do the stuff they do so successfully everywhere else they have touched and thought it would be a really cool opportunity,” Spieth told Sky Sports.

“It’s done. Myself and Justin (Thomas) we’re involved in a very minority stake but within the bigger 49ers organisation.

“They (the 49ers) renegotiated (after relegation) and then we got to decide whether we do it or not.

“We always wanted to do it and it ended up possibly a better deal, as long as they can get promoted (to Premier League) soon.”

Asked about Fowler’s involvement, Spieth added: “I don’t think so. I think he decided, once they were relegated, against it.”

The former Manchester United and England striker was left frustrated against ex-team-mate Michael Carrick’s Boro when Morgan Rogers flicked in an 89th-minute winner at the Riverside.

Rooney, who turns 38 on Tuesday, took over from John Eustace during the international break.

It was a day of emotion and reflection for both Rooney and Carrick as they heard the news of Sir Bobby Charlton’s death at half-time, with both sets of fans then chanting the World Cup winner’s name before the restart.

Both Rooney and Carrick had spent time with Charlton during their Old Trafford careers.

Middlesbrough had controlled the first half and wasted numerous opportunities, the best of which was when striker Josh Coburn was played in and fired wide, having earlier headed over the bar too.

But when Rogers, only 13 minutes after emerging as a substitute, arrived at the front post to turn in Matt Crooks’ low return pass, there was no way back for Birmingham – meaning defeat for Rooney in his first game.

Rooney, whose side have slipped to seventh after a fourth straight defeat on the road, said: “I have been quite calm. You always have a feeling before the game as player or manager, which is normal, but I was quite calm. I know what I want.

“I know where we need to get to. I knew this was a possibility today, but it will take time to get where we want to go.

“We might have to go through days like this and it is important we stay calm to ensure we hit the goals we really want to.

“You never enjoy when you lose, but it is great to be back in English football, great to be at Birmingham. Thankfully we have another game Wednesday.

He added: “There were parts of the game we wanted to take the ball more, but ultimately you don’t always get what you want in football. It is decision-making and game management.

“Even after Middlesbrough scored there were different moments in the game were our game management has to be better. That is what frustrated me in the last eight minutes.

“But we are a team trying to adapt to a different way and that will take time. During that period we do have to pick up points.”

Given Rooney and Carrick’s Old Trafford connections, it was ironic that it was Rogers, a former Manchester City player, who scored the winner.

The 21-year-old has scored twice in the league cup since his summer arrival from the Etihad, but this was his first goal in the Championship – and one that secured a fifth straight win for Middlesbrough.

Carrick, whose side moved a point behind seventh-placed Birmingham, said: “It was a big goal for all of us – a big goal to win a game.

“I’m really pleased for Morgan, he came on to make an impact. Goals like that can give you a massive boost and I am sure he will have an impact for the rest of the season.

“We did enough to win the game because we had enough chances, and those chances we could have scored from, they were good ones.

“I couldn’t fault the boys. It is tough when you go into a game like this because we didn’t really know
what we were going into, there wasn’t much we had to go on (after Rooney’s arrival).

“But I’m really pleased about the impact from the boys off the bench. They have all come off and made an impact in different ways.

“You never know if a goal is going to come, but you have to keep doing the right things and freshen up to try to create a spark. In the end the boys found a way to score.”

Jack Clarke scored the winning goal after 82 minutes when he cut inside from the left before smartly directing the football into the bottom right-hand corner.

Beale, who replaced Tony Mowbray earlier in the month, suffered a miserable start in his new role when Coventry won 3-0 at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

But the former Rangers manager will be delighted by the resolute manner in which his players went about their business in East Yorkshire – and even happier with the full-time scoreline which moved the Black Cats above Hull into the top six.

Jude Bellingham, sporting a Sunderland scarf in support of his brother Jobe, was watching from the stands but may have been questioning his decision to ditch Madrid for Hull after an awful first half.

The hosts were given no time on the football – especially through the middle – while Sunderland were more direct, but they, too, could not gain an efficient grip on the match and were largely kept at arm’s length from Matt Ingram’s goal.

The game finally awoke from its post-Christmas slumber after 24 minutes, when Tyler Morton weaved a direct route towards goal from the left.

Morton’s cross was dangerous, but goalkeeper Anthony Patterson did well to parry the ball to safety.

By contrast to the opening 45 minutes, the second half began earnestly when Morton sent across a dangerous ball from the right and Scott Twine teed up Aaron Connolly, but his feeble hit in front of goal was easily saved.

Sunderland responded with Patrick Roberts breezing clear of Regan Slater on the right before stabbing the ball into a dangerous area. Centre-back Alfie Jones looked in trouble facing his own goal so therefore did well to divert the ball for a corner.

The longer the game progressed, the more composed Sunderland became.

This was evidenced after 62 minutes when Slater lost possession in Hull’s penalty box. Adil Aouchiche seized control but thrashed the ball just over the crossbar.

Beale’s men then created a fine chance after 67 minutes when Clarke threaded a lovely ball towards an onrushing Roberts. He had it all to do from a tricky angle but should still have made Ingram work harder in a one-on-one situation on the right of the six-yard box.

With Sunderland having committed men forward, Hull nearly scored in transition when Liam Delap bullied his way into the visitors’ box. The Manchester City loan signing let rip from the right but Patterson reacted smartly to tip the ball around the left-hand post.

Patterson also thwarted Morton from a similar angle, but they lacked offensive clout once Clarke scored and could find no way through their hard-working opponents.

Hwang Ui-jo gave Norwich the lead against the run of play just after the midway stage of the first half, but Sunderland hit back with goals from Trai Hume and Dan Neil before the break and the league’s top scorer Jack Clarke secured the victory from the spot with his ninth goal of the season 10 minutes from time.

The victory lifted Sunderland to seventh in the Championship, but Norwich’s tumble continues. David Wagner’s side have now won just one of their last eight games and are down to 17th.

Sunderland dominated from the off and took the game to the Canaries, who have the joint worst defensive record in the Championship.

The Black Cats were bright from the off, bossed the early stages and came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock just before the midway stage of the first half when Clarke’s deflected strike hit the post.

But against the run of play it was Norwich who got their noses in front in controversial fashion. Sunderland expected the assistant to raise his flag when a pass was aimed in the direction of Gabriel Sara, who was clearly offside, but the forward let the ball run to overlapping right-back Kellen Fisher. He cut it back for Hwang to finish clinically into the far corner.

The goal did not knock Sunderland out of their stride and the hosts came roaring back. The deserved equaliser came eight minutes before the break, when Hume’s first-time effort from the edge of the box flashed through a sea of bodies and deflected off Shane Duffy into the far corner.

Sunderland took the lead in the final minute of the first half. The brilliant Clarke weaved through three Norwich defenders on the left before picking out Neil in the box, who calmly lifted the ball over George Long.

Mowbray’s side looked comfortable in the early stages of the second half but Norwich fired a warning just before the hour mark when Christian Fassnacht met a Dimitris Giannoulis cross from the left and headed against the post.

The Canaries had their moments in the second half but the game’s star man Clarke wrapped up the points for Sunderland when he won and scored a penalty on 80 minutes. The winger was tripped by Kenny McLean inside the box and picked himself up to send Long the wrong way.

Kenneth Paal put the hosts ahead but Colback was then red-carded and the Black Cats levelled after seven minutes of first-half injury time when Jack Clarke’s effort was deflected in by Rs defender Steve Cook.

Rangers battled hard but second-half goals from Dan Ballard and Abdoullah Ba secured the points for Tony Mowbray’s side.

QPR have won just once at Loftus Road since last October and have lost all three of their home games so far this season.

Paal opened the scoring for them with a crisp strike from just outside the penalty area after 12 minutes.

After Sunderland failed to properly clear Paul Smyth’s throw-in from the right, Ilias Chair teed up Paal, who sent a low left-footed shot beyond keeper Anthony Patterson and into the bottom corner of the net.

The goal came somewhat against the run of play, with the visitors having made a lively start.

Rangers survived an early scare when Ballard blazed over at the far post from Clarke’s left-wing corner, before Sunderland appealed in vain for a penalty when Clarke went down in the area as he tried to get between Smyth and Sam Field.

Paal’s opener – the left-back’s second goal of the season – galvanised Rangers but they suffered a major blow when Colback was dismissed nine minutes later.

Colback is a hugely unpopular figure among Sunderland fans, having left the club to join arch-rivals Newcastle in 2014, and they revelled in his straight red card for a challenge on Jobe Bellingham.

The Black Cats had a goal disallowed for offside soon afterwards when Bellingham headed in after being found by Alex Pritchard’s ball in from the left.

And an almost identical build-up then resulted in Bellingham missing a sitter as he failed to make contact when again found unmarked inside the area by Pritchard.

However, just as Rangers looked like getting to the interval in front, they conceded an equaliser. In attempting to head away Clarke’s shot from near the left-hand edge of the penalty area, Cook succeeded only in diverting the ball past keeper Asmir Begovic.

A second-half barrage from Sunderland inevitably followed and they went in front on 57 minutes courtesy of defender Ballard’s first goal for the club.

Pritchard exchanged passes with Patrick Roberts and was denied by Begovic but the loose ball rolled to Ballard, who had a simple tap-in.

Ba almost added a third when he fired against the outside of the post from an awkward angle after being set up by Bellingham.

But he made no mistake with an emphatic finish from Adil Aouchiche’s left-wing cross on 81 minutes.

Delano Burgzorg had earlier put the Terriers ahead in the 33rd minute, before John Swift equalised midway through the second half.

Huddersfield started brightly and had the ball in the net in the eighth minute through a rising, angled volley from Rudoni – but the goal was ruled out for a push by Michael Helik on Darnell Furlong in the box.

The visitors continued to look dangerous and Ben Wiles’ low drive was deflected wide before Matty Pearson looped a header over from a free-kick.

West Brom threatened when Brandon Thomas-Asante’s glancing header was just too close to goalkeeper Lee Nicholls before Matty Phillips curled an effort wide after cutting inside.

Huddersfield went in front when Dutch forward Burgzorg, on loan from German outfit Mainz 05, arrowed a low, angled drive past Baggies goalkeeper Alex Palmer at his near post from 15 yards.

Burgzorg, making his first start for the Terriers, went close again when he fired wide before
West Brom finally mounted some pressure late in the first half when Thomas-Asante curled straight at Nicholls.

The home fans were celebrating in the 52nd minute after an equaliser following a sweeping move.

Jayson Molumby’s pass found Thomas-Asante on the half-way line and they striker turned before finding Swift to his right.

Swift drew Nicholls before firing low into the far corner on his 50th league appearance for West Brom.

Albion substitute Josh Maja was denied by Nicholls when clean though, and it was Huddersfield who snatched a late winner in the sixth minute of added time.

Substitute Kian Harratt crossed deep to the far post and Rudoni controlled in space before blasting home a fierce low drive inside Palmer’s near post.

A scrappy game with few clear opportunities was settled by a 44th-minute goal from defender Jack Stacey, his first for the Canaries since his arrival from Bournemouth during the summer.

It was a deserved win for the hosts, although they rarely hit the heights against a Stoke side who also struggled to create as they slipped to a fourth defeat in six league games.

Both sides looked short of ideas early on, with the warm conditions clearly having an affect on the pace of play, and it wasn’t until the later stages of the half that the game livened up.

The first good chance at either end didn’t arrive until the 39th minute and it was wasted by Norwich striker Adam Idah, who got a firm connection inside a crowded area but fired straight at Mark Travers.

Jon Rowe did likewise a couple of minutes later after working himself some space by cutting inside from the left but the late pressure did eventually tell, with the hosts taking the lead just before the break.

Christian Fassnacht set the goal up by dinking in a cross from the right and Stacey was in the perfect place to fire home from close range following a fortunate deflection off defender Mehdi Leris.

Stoke almost got back on level terms from their next attack but Tyrese Campbell screwed his shot wide from a good position after being set up by Wouter Burger.

The visitors started the second half brightly, with Campbell having a decent effort blocked, but Norwich looked comfortable enough after their excellent finish to the first.

The Canaries gave a debut to on-loan South Korea international Hwang Ui-jo as they went looking for a second, which nearly arrived on the hour mark when Fassnacht lifted the ball just over after muscling his way through.

Stoke still posed a threat, as they emphasised on 77 minutes when skipper Josh Laurent curled an excellent effort just over from distance, and they almost grabbed a point in the final minute of stoppage time, with substitute Dwight Gayle making a mess of a close-range opportunity.

North End are now seven games without victory after Philogene, who scored in similarly impressive fashion against Birmingham on Wednesday, let rip with a powerful low hit after 68 minutes.

The England Under-21 international was the stand-out performer in a scrappy game as Hull ended a frustrating run of home form to move into the Sky Bet Championship play-offs.

Preston manager Ryan Lowe might feel hard done by, however, as his side were denied valid claims for a second-half penalty.

They were also in relative control of the game until Philogene stole the show with a moment of exceptional individualism.

The hosts, with just one prior home win all season, nonetheless looked the more likely scorers in the first half.

Philogene and Scott Twine both flashed wide from distance, but Preston goalkeeper Freddie Woodman was not once tested in the first half.

If anything, North End, despite having lost Will Keane and Greg Cunningham to early injuries, grew into the game.

But neither side could convincingly force the issue, with a sell-out MKM Stadium growing increasingly subdued by the dearth of chances at either end.

That was until just before the break when Jean Michael Seri threaded a perfect ball through the heart of Preston’s midfield.

Philogene was one-on-one with Woodman but dithered in possession and took the ball wide of the target without even having a shot.

It could have been a costly error if referee Lewis Smith had been in more charitable mood after 47 minutes.

Preston had a strong shout for a penalty when Alfie Jones appeared to haul down Alan Browne, but Smith was having none of it.

Philogene then nearly atoned for his naivety when he cut inside at pace from the left before striking towards the bottom-right corner.

Woodman was, however, well positioned and pulled off a fine save with his fingertips after 53 minutes.

Preston also had their moments, most notably after 65 minutes when neat interplay between Ched Evans and Browne on the right gave Liam Millar a clear sight on goal.

Millar struck well, but Adama Traore pulled off a fine sliding challenge to steer the ball away for a corner.

Just when Preston looked set to kick on following a sustained spell of pressure, Hull scored.

Philogene had the beating of Brad Potts all game and waltzed past the defender before firmly planting the ball off the base of a post and into the bottom-right.

Preston could easily have wilted, but they doggedly stayed in contention and nearly equalised on 81 minutes.

Substitute Evans was teed up on the left by Browne but his goal-bound strike was expertly kept out by Ryan Allsop.

Lowe’s men went for broke towards the death, but they could find no way through.

Tyler Morton, Jaden Philogene and Scott Twine scored within the first 20 minutes to put the game out of reach of the managerless visitors.

Philogene added another soon after the restart against a brittle Rotherham side who remain in deep relegation trouble.

Hull were ruthless, and perhaps a touch fortunate at times in the build-up to their goals, but the Millers were blown away in the first half and have still claimed just one away point all season.

And though Grant Hall headed home a consolation, Rotherham must now reflect upon the worrying statistic of having conceded 11 goals in their last three games on their travels.

Clearly sensing an opportunity against jaded opponents, Hull ripped out of the traps and opened the scoring after five minutes.

Hall’s feeble back-pass put goalkeeper Viktor Johansson in an awful position, from which he did well to stop Liam Delap’s initial shot but the ball fell kindly to Morton, who could not miss.

Rotherham were visibly leggy following their hard-earned draw at home to Leeds on Friday and were further punished on nine minutes.

Dexter Lembikisa made an awful mess of Jason Lokilo’s back-post cross, with the ball striking the defender’s backside and bouncing towards Philogene on the left angle of the six-yard box.

The former Aston Villa playmaker had his back to goal but showed stunning craft with a backheel into the bottom right corner.

Away fans might have been forgiven for thinking that things could not have got any bleaker before the interval.

They were wrong, as Twine added a third after 20 minutes.

Alfie Jones’ hopeful loft from deep was hardly threatening, but Hakeem Odoffin recklessly went to ground to gift Morton another chance on goal.

The excellent Liverpool loan signing had the wherewithal to square to Delap, whose fierce strike was saved by Johansson. The ball was tricking towards the goal line but Twine provided the insurance from a yard out for his first City goal.

Caretaker manager Wayne Carlisle’s half-time debrief would have been even more painful had Hull centre-back Jacob Greaves shown greater composure in a one-on-one situation with Johansson after 40 minutes.

But whatever Carlisle said at the break made not a jot of difference as Philogene scored a second after 48 minutes.

Twine’s initial attempt from Jean Michael Seri’s cute ball was again saved by Johansson, but Philogene snaffled up the rebound from close range.

Hall at least reduced the deficit from a 59th-minute corner following smart interplay between Ollie Rathbone and Arvin Appiah.

But that was as good as it got for Rotherham, who look in desperate need of swift managerial guidance on this evidence.

Manchester-born Edwards, who had spells as a player at Wrexham and Exeter, joins the Terriers following eight years as president of the United Soccer League in America.

Following Edwards’ arrival, David Baldwin has stepped down from his role as managing director and has returned to his original position as a strategic advisor to the club’s ownership and board.

“I am thrilled to be joining Huddersfield Town as CEO to help lead the next phase of growth for the club,” Edwards said.

“Having worked in professional football for 25 years, I recognise both the great honour and the great responsibility of being a part of this historic club’s future.

“I am excited at the potential to work with the prospective new owner, Kevin Nagle, and have been impressed with his vision for what can be achieved here as well as his commitment to the club and to this community.”

Huddersfield – who survived in the Sky Bet Championship under Neil Warnock at the end of last season – also confirmed prospective owner Kevin M Nagle had completed the EFL’s owners’ and directors’ test.

However, the American businessman’s purchase of a 100 per cent shareholding in the club is “still awaiting clearance from a statutory government body”.

When concluded, the takeover will end former chairman Dean Hoyle’s 14-year association with the club.

Former Tottenham, West Brom, Hull and England midfielder Livermore, now 34, struck twice from outside the area to earn Watford a 2-1 win at Loftus Road.

Lyndon Dykes pulled one back for Rangers but they could not find an equaliser and remain deep in relegation trouble, five points from safety.

QPR started life under new boss Marti Cifuentes with three wins and three draws from seven matches, but have quickly reverted to type – they also contrived to throw away a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 at home to Bournemouth in the FA Cup last weekend.

Cifuentes was able to welcome back Rangers’ main creative threats, Chris Willock and Ilias Chair, who missed the previous two matches through injury.

Willock curled an effort wide and Chair sent a free-kick narrowly over the top to offer Rangers fans some early hope of a rare enjoyable afternoon.

Irish youngster Sinclair Armstrong, who was on target against Bournemouth, also headed a presentable chance over from Kenneth Paal’s cross.

Rangers were on top and created their best opportunity of the first half moments before the interval.

Armstrong broke clear down the right and his low shot was pushed out by Hornets keeper Ben Hamer.

Chair looked odds on to tuck away the rebound but he was denied by a last-ditch challenge from Ryan Andrews.

Just 15 seconds into the second half the lively Armstrong turned Watford full-back Francisco Sierralta and bore down on goal but Hamer clawed his shot wide.

A sharp Hornets counter-attack saw Giorgi Chaskvetadze have a shot deflected narrowly wide before Asmir Begovic’s long throw sent Willock through.

Willock lifted the ball to Armstrong, who held off Andrews only to take a heavy touch which Hamer was able to pounce upon.

QPR’s missed chances cost them on the hour when Livermore collected a cut-back from Matheus Martins 25 yards out, took a touch and curled a superb effort past the despairing dive of Begovic.

Five minutes later he repeated the trick, this time drilling a half-clearance low past Begovic from 20 yards.

Rangers hit back when Dykes tapped in Paul Smyth’s cross at the far post with 13 minutes remaining.

But Hamer made a fine save to keep out Jimmy Dunne’s shot in stoppage time as Watford held on to complete a first league double over QPR since 2005/6 under Aidy Boothroyd.

The match-winning goal came from Jamie Vardy, a player Pearson brought to the King Power Stadium 13 years ago.

When Pearson was in charge, for his second spell at the club, he kept Leicester up in their first season back in the Premier League before being sacked that summer. But he was credited with building the core of Claudio Ranieri’s squad that went on to win the Premier League title in 2016.

Now manager of Bristol City, Pearson came back to Leicester on crutches due to a back problem. But there were to be no celebrations as Vardy’s 67th-minute penalty, after Kai Naismith had brought down Wilfred Ndidi, set up Leicester’s seventh Championship win of the season, and their third in successive games.

Stephy Mavididi set the tone for the game after three minutes when he volleyed just wide from the edge of the area.

But Bristol frustrated Leicester after that, inviting Enzo Maresca’s men to break them down.

Abdul Fatawu, making his first start since joining Leicester on loan from Sporting Lisbon, produced a powerful drive after cutting in from the right, but goalkeeper Max O’Leary did well to parry the shot.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall then saw a goalbound shot blocked by Robins defender Kai Naismith after 30 minutes.

But, for all their possession, Leicester were let down by some poor decision making in the Bristol area.

Leicester maintained their pressure in the second half and almost took the lead after 55 minutes.

Fatawu’s cross was met by Dewsbury-Hall, whose close-range header was pushed out by O’Leary, and when Mavididi followed up, he had his shot blocked. A minute later, O’Leary had to be alert again to keep Mavididi out.

Pearson then made a triple substitution just before the hour mark.

But Leicester took the lead after 66 minutes when Ndidi was brought down by Naismith in the penalty area and Vardy converted from the penalty spot.

The striker then ran towards the travelling Bristol supporters, who had been taunting him before his penalty, and pointed to the name on his back.

It was a goal that relieved some of the tension at the King Power Stadium against a side that did not manage a shot on target until the final kick of the game.

Vardy’s goal was his third in the last five game in all competitions. But Jason Knight almost responded with an equaliser as his shot sailed narrowly over the crossbar.

Leicester had one last anxious moment as Bristol substitute Taylor Gardner-Hickman’s free-kick was comfortably held by goalkeeper Mads Hermansen.

Jason Knight’s cool finish in the 16th minute was followed by Matty James’ drive in off the woodwork as Boro failed to get going.

Bristol City’s first league win since Boxing Day was enough to lift Liam Manning’s side level on points with the Teessiders in mid-table.

Middlesbrough did create chances and Samuel Silvera made things interesting in the closing seconds by pulling one back, without knowing much about it.

But head coach Michael Carrick had to suffer another defeat, with Boro having won only one of their last seven home league games. They have also picked up just five points from the last available 15.

Even though the Robins – who came through 120 minutes of FA Cup football against Nottingham Forest in midweek – had not won since Boxing Day, they were quick to make an impression.

George Tanner had already volleyed into the arms of goalkeeper Tom Glover, who had also done well to dive to his right to deny Harry Cornick from hitting the opener soon after.

The only time Middlesbrough threatened during the first half was when Hayden Hackney failed to bring the ball down quickly enough when he was picked out at the back post by Luke Ayling.

And City’s quickfire double came along shortly after. Defender Rob Dickie picked out Knight with an incisive through pass.

With just Glover to beat, Knight turned and spun away from the goalkeeper and Lukas Engel before finding the empty net.

Within two minutes Bristol City were two up. Highly-rated Hackney was at fault for gifting possession to James and the visitors’ captain fired in off the post from 20 yards.

Hackney tried to make amends 14 minutes later when his effort from 25 yards curled away from the far post, with goalkeeper Max O’Leary diving to cover.

But City should have been three up before the break. Cornick’s excellent run and pass from inside his own half put Sam Bell clear.

Rather than round Glover, Bell tried to beat him with a shot and the goalkeeper was big enough to thwart. That was followed by an O’Leary low save at the other end from Finn Azaz.

O’Leary had to be alert to make a strong save from Greenwood at the start of the second half after he had been picked out by Azaz in the box.

The Bristol City keeper made an even better save soon after by rushing off his line to deny Greenwood, who had been played in behind by Azaz. Marcus Forss also drilled an effort on the turn narrowly wide.

Middlesbrough tried different things but Manning’s men defended well. O’Leary also had to make another strong save to stop Rav van den Berg’s 25-yard drive from flying in.

Greenwood thought he had scored with 12 minutes to go only for the officials to rule it out for a very close offside call.

Middlesbrough did pull one back in stoppage-time when Azaz’s shot hit the back of substitute Silvera before bouncing in but it proved too little, too late.

Stansfield’s strike five minutes into time added on was one to remember as he flicked the ball over Lewis Gibson before rifling a volley into the roof of the net.

The on-loan Fulham forward’s effort made it three wins from four games for Blues.

Scott Hogan’s first goal for six months was deservedly cancelled out by Ryan Hardie’s third of the season as Plymouth looked to have fully earned their share of the spoils prior to Stansfield’s memorable effort.

Hogan’s eighth-minute opener gave John Eustace’s side the lead but promoted Plymouth created plenty of chances.

And when Hardie’s goal came to equalise on the hour it was deserved.

Blues created the first chance within two minutes when Koji Miyoshi’s side-footed effort was palmed away by goalkeeper Conor Hazard.

Plymouth should have punished the hosts but Morgan Whittaker blazed over from 10 yards after Adam Randell missed his kick.

In an action-packed start, Blues took an early lead.

The tricky Miyoshi crossed from the left and Hogan got ahead of Kaine Kesler-Hayden to slide the ball home from close range.

It could have been 2-0 soon after but Keshi Anderson’s rising effort was tipped over by Hazard after Ivan Sunjic’s long ball left him clean through on goal.

Argyle again found gaps in Blues’ defence when Randell put Hardie through but his attempted lob was easily held by goalkeeper John Ruddy.

Anderson remained a real threat for Blues and Hazard was relieved to see his his goalbound shot hit a defender after he cut inside Joe Edwards.

Bali Mumba and Kesler-Hayden had been causing problems down Plymouth’s left side all game and the latter forced Ruddy into a falling save with a low, curling effort from Finn Azaz’s cut-back.

Whittaker went close to a Plymouth equaliser when he rattled the post with an angled, rising drive after taking on Buchanan.

The goal Arygle had been threatening came in the 60th minute.

Azaz found Whittaker deep inside the box, and although his curling left-footed shot was saved, Hardie was on the spot to pounce.

Blues tried to respond and the dangerous Miyoshi almost scored direct from a corner but his inswinging effort was punched away by Hazard on the line.

The home side hit Argyle on the break through Hogan, whose cross-field pass meant Anderson just had to cross to substitute Stansfield who was in yards of space in the middle. But the forward’s cross was behind the play.

Callum Wright’s header for Plymouth was nodded off the line by Juninho Bacuna as the visitors threatened a late winner wit Ruddy at full stretch.

But Stansfield latched onto fellow substitute Lukas Jutkiewicz’s lobbed pass to clinch victory for Blues.

Defender Daniel Ayala was sent off for the Millers after 17 minutes and that changed the complexion of the game, with Swansea eventually taking full advantage to secure all three points.

The game saw two interim bosses in charge, with Rotherham believed to be closing in on the appointment of Leam Richardson.

Wayne Carlisle took charge of his fourth Rotherham game following the dismissal of Matt Taylor, while Alan Sheehan was in the dugout for the Swans after the sacking of Michael Duff.

Christ Tiehi was first to force a save in the match as he latched onto a long throw and connected with a strong half-volley which goalkeeper Carl Rushworth was able to gather.

Rotherham were dealt a blow in the 17th minute when Ayala was shown a second yellow card for blatantly fouling Charlie Patino.

Swansea looked to make the most of the extra man and Yannick Bolasie came close to putting them ahead as he met Jay Fulton’s cross to the back post.

Keeper Viktor Johansson had to deny Jamal Lowe with a strong save after the striker had closed down Cohen Bramall’s attempted clearance.

Swansea continued to threaten before the break and Harry Darling should have done better as he rose highest at a corner only to head straight at Johansson.

The Sweden international was called into action again as he had to palm away Fulton’s vicious shot from distance.

Johansson then clawed out Lowe’s header superbly, but he could do nothing to prevent the opener a minute into added time when a cross from Jamie Paterson was deflected in by Patino.

Rotherham’s protests over a handball were ignored by referee Josh Smith.

The Welsh side looked to put the game to bed early in the second half and it was a stinging effort from Darling which first troubled Johansson.

Instead it was the Millers who levelled after 64 minutes, with Sam Nombe tucking home after Hakeem Odoffin had gone up for a flick on.

Darling again threatened at the other end as he headed on target from Matt Grimes’ corner.

Swansea went back ahead in the 73rd minute with Yates able to lash home after Lee Peltier failed to get enough on Josh Key’s centre.

Rushworth was called into action in stoppage time as he pushed Georgie Kelly’s header over the crossbar.

Dunne’s stunning left-footed volley from near the edge of the penalty area took Rangers four points clear of the relegation zone.

The unlikely hero, usually a centre-back, lost his place in the team after some shaky performances and has more recently been deployed at right-back.

Cifuentes said: “He deserves everything. I’m very happy for him. He’s a quality, quality human being.

“He will enjoy this moment, but when things weren’t going his way and there were games he was not starting he was always first in training, supporting his team-mates and happy when the team won.

“Perhaps people tend to underrate him. In the Championship he has always played, with different managers, and there is a reason why.

“Sometimes players can think we take them out (of the team) because we don’t trust them. It’s not because of that, it’s just because there is a lot of competition.”

Dunne’s strike consigned Birmingham to defeat in their first match since Gary Rowett’s return to the club as interim boss.

Juninho Bacuna’s 62nd-minute goal had put Blues within sight of a first win in seven games, but Steve Cook equalised three minutes later and Dunne’s late cracker gave Rangers the points.

Cifuentes added: “It was massive and I think it was one of the biggest achievements since I arrived.

“The feeling was that we should have been leading and then instead Birmingham scored a very good goal.

“It was very important to react immediately. To get the equaliser and be able to keep pushing, it was so important, this moment.

“But we need to be very careful. Today is a day to be very happy, but the reality is that there are seven games left and we will need to pick up a lot more points. It’s going to be difficult until the end.”

Rowett took encouragement from Birmingham’s improved display, despite the result.

“It was a cruel way to end what has been a really positive and productive week in terms of the work we’ve done. I thought some of it came out in the game,” he said.

“Some of the (negative) things that have been happening also happened in the game, but you’re not going to change that instantly.”

Blues are now without a win in seven matches and remain above third-from-bottom Huddersfield only on goal difference.

“When you score that goal away from home you then need a period of the game where the opposition feel a bit more desperate,” Rowett added.

“But they scored pretty much straightaway. Then we lost the game in the way that we did.

“I won’t let that undo the positive things that happened in the game. I won’t let it affect the players.

“Results-wise I don’t think it massively changes the position we’re in, but it’s just one more opportunity we had to take something and I think we probably did deserve to take something.

“I knew this would be a challenging job. I didn’t expect to wave a magic wand and change everything in the first game.

“It’s one game down and we’ll take the positives from it and make sure we improve.”