Championship (England)

It was the first loss of the Sky Bet Championship campaign for the former leaders, ending their 100 per cent record and a record-breaking run of 21 games without defeat.

A dynamic opening 20 minutes at Portman Road saw four goals, all coming from Leeds players.

Joe Rodon netted an own goal to give Ipswich the lead, before the visitors replied with strikes from Georginio Rutter, Wilfried Gnonto and debutant Joel Piroe.

Ipswich kept the game alive when Nathan Broadhead netted for the Tractor Boys with virtually the last kick of a pulsating first half.

However, Leeds struck the killer blow in the 75th minute when Luis Sinisterra netted a fourth goal.

Although Conor Chaplin pulled one back for Ipswich in added time, they could not find an equaliser.

The hosts took the lead in the seventh minute when Kayden Jackson followed a lightning run down the left with a cross that took a big deflection off Rodon and beat goalkeeper Illan Meslier.

Leeds equalised three minutes later with Rutter’s first goal for the club. The £36million signing from Hoffenheim weaved his way through the penalty area and saw his shot go in off the base of the left-hand post.

The visitors took the lead in the 14th minute when Sinisterra’s cross found Gnonto, who drifted behind Leif Davis to scramble the ball home from close range.

It was 3-1 to Leeds with 19 minutes on the clock when home goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky could only parry a shot from Sinisterra, with Piroe – who joined from Swansea this week – converting the rebound.

Ipswich probed the Leeds defence in a bid to get back into the game and Broadhead got them a second goal after seven minutes of added time. He produced a cool finish after Jackson nicked the ball ahead of Meslier and pulled it back from the byline for the Welsh international to score.

Sinisterra had a wonderful opportunity to extend the lead for Leeds when he was found alone in the Ipswich penalty area but he shot straight at Hladky.

The visitors posed a threat on the counter-attack and Hladky had to divert a first-time shot from Piroe behind for a corner before Colombian international winger Sinisterra breezed past substitute Brandon Williams to make it 4-2.

Chaplin drilled a low shot into the bottom corner of the net with seconds remaining and soon after the 2,008 visiting Leeds fans in a crowd of 29,606 were pleased to hear the final whistle.

Piroe gave Leeds the lead midway through the second half as he volleyed home to finish off a fine move by Daniel Farke’s side.

Byram capped his return to the side as he headed in from a corner and Anthony’s late goal moved Leeds up to fifth in the table having seen off a Watford outfit who rarely threatened.

Leeds nearly took an early lead when a low shot from Ethan Ampadu was kept out by Daniel Bachmann after five minutes.

Georginio Rutter got on the end of Dan James’ clever ball into the box but could not steer his touch wide of Bachmann as Leeds continued their fine start to the game.

Leeds thought they had taken the lead 20 minutes in when Rutter controlled the ball on the edge of the area and beat Bachmann but the forward had been offside when he collected a pass from Piroe.

Leeds were again denied when Crysencio Summerville saw Bachmann dive to his right to save his low shot with nearly half an hour gone.

Rutter required lengthy treatment after being fouled by Francisco Sierralta 25 yards out but the home side failed to capitalise from the free-kick.

Summerville shot straight at Bachmann 10 minutes before the break as Watford continued to soak up pressure.

Piroe’s pass with the outside of his left foot sent James clear but when he collided with Jamal Lewis in the area referee Jeremy Simpson awarded a goal-kick.

Watford enjoyed a brief period in the Leeds half towards the end of a first period during which they had failed to produce an attempt on goal.

The lively Summerville was at the heart of most of Leeds’ attacking moves but when he got on the end of Rutter’s pass he found Bachmann was again equal to his low effort just before the hour.

Summerville set up Piroe but his shot from the edge of the area was well over the bar as Leeds were frustrated once again.

Leeds finally broke the deadlock after 66 minutes when Piroe volleyed in at the far post from a James cross after Rutter’s strength on halfway had seen him release the winger down the right.

Leeds made it 2-0 within four minutes as the unmarked Byram got on the end of James’ corner to power a header past Bachmann.

When Watford did get into the Leeds area half-time substitute Vakoun Bayo steered his shot off target which said a lot about the lack of quality shown by Valerien Ismael’s side.

Substitute Anthony sealed the win as he was released by Rutter on halfway before steering his shot past Bachmann with a minute remaining.

A relentless opening saw five goals scored in the first half alone, starting with Boro going in front through Isaiah Jones just seven minutes in, but the visitors soon got their foot back in the game with goals from Summerville and Patrick Bamford in the space of 11 minutes.

An enthralling end-to-end encounter saw Emmanuel Latte Lath level on the 30 minute mark but Wilfried Gnonto restored Leeds’ advantage from a ruthless attack.

Summerville extended the advantage in the second half before Latte Lath’s header threatened a late comeback. However, Leeds held on for a victory which means they leapfrog Ipswich into second place, albeit having played a game more than the Suffolk club.

Middlesbrough took the lead in the seventh minute when Luke Thomas won the ball on the left flank and played in Finn Azaz, who flicked a quick pass to an onrushing Latte Lath.

Illan Meslier came out to block the ball, which bounced underneath him and into the path of Jones, who raced past defender Junior Firpo and stabbed the ball into an empty net.

Leeds composed themselves and equalised just seven minutes later when Anfernee Dijksteel clipped Georginio Rutter’s ankles in the area and Summerville stepped up to fire the subsequent spot-kick into the bottom left corner.

The visitors took the lead in the 18th minute when former Boro striker Bamford came back to haunt the Riverside, bundling in Firpo’s cross with his thigh past goalkeeper Seny Dieng.

After threatening from some corners, Boro got an equaliser on the half-hour mark when Leeds were dispossessed from a throw-in in their own half. Azaz found an unmarked Latte Lath on the edge of the box and Meslier could only palm the forward’s powerful strike into the net.

Leeds regained their lead nine minutes later with a well-worked attack through the middle involving Archie Gray, with Summerville threading the ball into Gnonto, who smashed it past Dieng.

The visitors nearly had another just minutes later in a similar style, but Bamford’s effort was pawed away by Dieng and Sammy Silvera smashed a shot over the bar just before the break.

The hosts patiently passed around the pitch in a quieter start to the second half and Lewis O’Brien and Dijksteel tested Meslier with some dangerous crosses.

However, Leeds dealt the next blow from another devastating break in the 61st minute when Firpo played through to Summerville in acres of space on the left and the forward scored his second of the evening with a curling shot across goal.

The game still had another twist when Latte Lath set up a manic finale after looping a header over Meslier from a pinpoint cross in the 87th minute.

The visitors were forced into some frenetic defending and Meslier made a low dive to deny Jonny Howson’s effort in stoppage-time to wrap up victory.

A relentless opening saw five goals scored in the first half alone, starting with Boro going in front through Isaiah Jones just seven minutes in, but the visitors soon got their foot back in the game with goals from Summerville and Patrick Bamford in the space of 11 minutes.

An enthralling end-to-end encounter saw Emmanuel Latte Lath level on the 30 minute mark but Wilfried Gnonto restored Leeds’ advantage from a ruthless attack.

Summerville extended the advantage in the second half before Latte Lath’s header threatened a late comeback. However, Leeds held on for a victory which means they leapfrog Ipswich into second place, albeit having played a game more than the Suffolk club.

Middlesbrough took the lead in the seventh minute when Luke Thomas won the ball on the left flank and played in Finn Azaz, who flicked a quick pass to an onrushing Latte Lath.

Illan Meslier came out to block the ball, which bounced underneath him and into the path of Jones, who raced past defender Junior Firpo and stabbed the ball into an empty net.

Leeds composed themselves and equalised just seven minutes later when Anfernee Dijksteel clipped Georginio Rutter’s ankles in the area and Summerville stepped up to fire the subsequent spot-kick into the bottom left corner.

The visitors took the lead in the 18th minute when former Boro striker Bamford came back to haunt the Riverside, bundling in Firpo’s cross with his thigh past goalkeeper Seny Dieng.

After threatening from some corners, Boro got an equaliser on the half-hour mark when Leeds were dispossessed from a throw-in in their own half. Azaz found an unmarked Latte Lath on the edge of the box and Meslier could only palm the forward’s powerful strike into the net.

Leeds regained their lead nine minutes later with a well-worked attack through the middle involving Archie Gray, with Summerville threading the ball into Gnonto, who smashed it past Dieng.

The visitors nearly had another just minutes later in a similar style, but Bamford’s effort was pawed away by Dieng and Sammy Silvera smashed a shot over the bar just before the break.

The hosts patiently passed around the pitch in a quieter start to the second half and Lewis O’Brien and Dijksteel tested Meslier with some dangerous crosses.

However, Leeds dealt the next blow from another devastating break in the 61st minute when Firpo played through to Summerville in acres of space on the left and the forward scored his second of the evening with a curling shot across goal.

The game still had another twist when Latte Lath set up a manic finale after looping a header over Meslier from a pinpoint cross in the 87th minute.

The visitors were forced into some frenetic defending and Meslier made a low dive to deny Jonny Howson’s effort in stoppage-time to wrap up victory.

Wednesday were promoted from League One last season and battled hard at Elland Road as Leeds, who suffered relegation from the Premier League, struggled to convert their possession and chances into goals.

Leeds came closest to a first-half goal but Georginio Rutter’s shot from the corner of the six-yard box was kept out by the right arm of Wednesday keeper Devis Vasquez.

Crysencio Summerville saw Vasquez beat away his effort early in the second half and both Jamie Shackleton and Luke Ayling went close.

There were also openings for Wednesday pair Michael Smith and Josh Windass as the game began to come to life. Callum Patterson then had the best of Wednesday’s chances but failed to find the target following a corner.

Archie Gray’s tackle forced an early opening but Joel Piroe shot wide across goal when well placed as Leeds started the game brightly.

A flowing move by the home side saw Summerville shoot over from the edge of the area after exchanging passes with Piroe.

Pascal Struijk stretched to divert a Barry Bannan pass behind for a corner as Wednesday made a rare foray into the Leeds area midway through the first half.

Summerville whipped in a free-kick from the right but Rutter failed to get a telling touch in a crowded area as Leeds struggled to find the opening goal on the half-hour.

Summerville’s pass split the Wednesday defence and Rutter’s run and shot from a tight angle six yards out forced a save out of Vasquez as the game remained goalless at the break.

The game needed a spark and Shackleton nearly provided it two minutes into the second half but his curling shot was just over.

Smith then got onto the end of a long ball into the area and shrugged off Struijk only to shoot straight at Illan Meslier from a tight angle.

Rutter claimed a loose ball and his pass set up Summerville but his shot was at Vasquez as Leeds again searched for an opening.

It nearly came just after when Wilfried Gnonto’s cross to the far post picked out Ayling but his header into the ground bounced over.

Wednesday responded but Meslier was alert to block from Windass as he ran onto a ball behind the defence by George Byers.

Patterson should then done better from a low Windass cross but hit his shot into the ground and the ball flew over with 20 minutes remaining.

Rutter was also guilty of poor finishing when he shot weakly at Vasquez from Ethan Ampadu’s floated pass and the game finished goalless.

Ellis Simms nodded in his 17th of the season inside the first 10 minutes before Haji Wright’s brilliant finish shortly after half time but the Sky Blues in control

Joel Piroe gave Leeds hope with 14 minutes remaining but Mark Robins’ men remain within four points of the top six.

It was an important victory for Coventry, who kept pace after Norwich’s 1-0 victory over Ipswich in the lunchtime kick-off.

Simms put the Sky Blues ahead with his 14th goal in 11 games in all competitions when he nodded in from close range.

It followed good work from Bobby Thomas, who hooked Josh Eccles’ corner back into the danger zone before Liam Kitching’s header found Simms inside the six-yard box.

It was a welcome contribution for Kitching, who had scored two own goals in Coventry’s 2-1 home defeat to Cardiff on Monday.

From there Robins’ men went in search of a second as they carved the shaky Leeds back-line apart minutes later.

Kasey Palmer’s smart pass played in the returning Callum O’Hare but his shot was well blocked by the legs of Illan Meslier in the Leeds goal.

Palmer then saw his effort ricochet off a Leeds defender to safety, while Simms flashed an effort wide following Haji Wright’s knock down.

At the other end, Junior Firpo’s cross looked to be on a plate for Patrick Bamford but the forward couldn’t make a clean contact in what proved to be Daniel Farke’s side’s best chance of the first half.

Coventry deservedly doubled their lead after the break after an incisive breakaway from Crysencio Summerville’s free kick.

Milan van Ewijk brought the ball away from danger and laid off to Eccles, whose mesmerising ball into the box was met by a brilliantly-improvised finish by Wright with the outside of his right foot.

Leeds went in search of a goal to halve the deficit and looked most threatening through Summerville, who forced Brad Collins into action for the first time in the afternoon at his near post.

Jake Bidwell’s acrobatics then prevented the Dutchman from equalising as he cleared Summerville’s effort off the line for a corner.

Substitute Piroe gave Leeds hope in the closing stages when he calmly side-footed home following persistent work from Georginio Rutter.

Piroe had a golden chance to salvage a point in injury time but his effort was kept out by Collins as Leeds’ automatic promotion hopes were dealt a blow at the CBS Arena.

The 43-year-old Italian arrives at the King Power Stadium having previously been working as part of Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff at Manchester City.

Maresca succeeds Dean Smith, who failed to prevent Leicester being relegated from the Premier League after taking charge for the final eight games of the 2022-23 season following Brendan Rodgers’ exit.

Maresca told Leicester’s official website: “I’m very excited because of the club (I’m joining) and because we have a big season ahead of us.

“At the beginning, the target is to play in the best way we can. From there, we can build, day by day, our idea and our philosophy, and the most important thing is to try to win games.

“First of all, we’re going to give 100 per cent, absolutely, because the club deserves this. It’s our job, our duty to do that. Then, as I said, day by day, step by step, absolutely we’re going to improve.”

Leicester chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said: “Enzo brings a combination of personality, method and ambition that meets extremely well with the footballing direction we are looking to take.

“His philosophy has been built over a rich and varied career, including an outstanding education as a coach, and fits with the vision we have for this next chapter in Leicester City’s history.

“Enzo’s profile has stood out to us for some time – a feeling that was only enhanced upon meeting him and listening to his enthusiasm for the challenge ahead. I have no doubt he will be warmly welcomed by our supporters and that together we can reset the club’s course towards future success.”

Former West Brom, Juventus, Sevilla, Olympiacos and Malaga midfielder Maresca, who had a stint as an assistant coach at West Ham under Manuel Pellegrini, returned to Manchester City last summer for a second spell with the club.

He had previously been in charge of their elite development squad for the 2020-21 season, during which they won the Premier Leaguer 2 title, before departing for what proved a short tenure as Parma boss.

He leaves Guardiola’s treble winners for Leicester as the midlands outfit look to swiftly bounce back after dropping down for a first Championship season since 2013-14, a relegation that came seven years on from their remarkable Premier League-winning campaign and two years after lifting the FA Cup.

The Foxes secured automatic promotion without kicking a ball, as title rivals Leeds United lost 4-0 away to Queens Park Rangers on Friday.

Marti Cifuentes' Hoops side gave their fans a reason to cheer in their final home game of the season, and the emphatic win means they are now seven points clear of the relegation zone.

The Hoops boss told BBC Sport: "I came here, perhaps I was crazy thinking we could manage the great escape.

"The atmosphere has been unbelievable since I came here. Everybody thought tonight could be a special night to achieve our target.

"Big players deliver big performances and our players all did that tonight."

Defeat ensured only Ipswich Town can now finish above Leicester, meaning the Foxes will be back in the big time.

Ipswich, who have three games left to play, face play-off hopefuls Hull City on Saturday.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Leeds boss Daniel Farke said: "It's not in our hands any more [automatic promotion], we need to be honest.

"The race is not over. If Ipswich win the next two games then I will say congratulations, but if they don’t win them then we will have a lot to play for.

"As long as we have a chance, I’m far away from giving up."

Leicester could be crowned champions if they beat Preston North End on Monday and if Hull beat Ipswich.

The Foxes are looking to break the 100-point barrier, despite a wobble from Enzo Maresca's side in recent months.

After they had been so far ahead and top for all but two of the 176 days between 23 September and 17 March, an untimely dip in form handed Leeds and Ipswich hope.

However, while Leicester celebrate their promotion, they face the daunting prospect of starting next season with a points deduction, after they were charged by the Premier League with alleged breaches of the competition's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

That enabled the Foxes to celebrate four straight wins at the start of a season for the first time in the club’s history.

A fine strike from Aaron Ramsey looked like earning Cardiff a point after Wanya Marcal-Madivadua had fired Enzo Maresca’s hosts ahead.

But on-loan Chelsea midfielder Casadei had the last word to leave Cardiff, who saw defender Mahlon Romeo sent off deep into stoppage time, remain winless under their new manager Erol Bulut.

Foxes forward Stephy Mavididi earned an early booking for a mistimed challenge on Josh Bowler but it was not long before Leicester came close to taking the lead.

Kelechi Iheanacho curled a shot from the edge of the area beyond goalkeeper Jak Alnwick, who was relieved to see it bounce back off his right-hand post.

Ike Ugbo, set up by Ramsey, replied with a Cardiff header that cleared the crossbar but the next chance was Leicester’s, with Jamilu Collins’s intervention taking the sting off Mavididi’s shot.

Iheanacho was next to see a shot partially blocked, again to Alnwick’s relief as the ball dropped past his other post this time.

Referee Graham Scott denied the hosts a penalty on the half-hour mark when Romeo, having seen the ball pushed past him, shoulder-charged Mavididi.

A goal was coming and Marcal-Madivadua supplied it in sensational style in the 36th minute by lashing a high-velocity effort from 15 yards through a crowd of players after Cardiff had failed to clear a corner. It was a first senior goal for the 20-year-old from Portugal.

Alnwick had to make saves from Mavididi and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall soon after and those proved crucial as, out of nowhere, Ramsey launched a stoppage-time long-ranger into the top corner to level.

Ramsey was denied a second early in the second-half by a block by Jannik Vestergaard after Yakou Meite, on for Ugbo, had played him in. Mads Hermansen then saved from Joe Ralls in the aftermath.

That roused Leicester and Alnwick had to make a good save to deny Callum Doyle, who went close with a deflected effort soon after.

Ramsey fired at Hermansen after the hour mark, however, before Cardiff substitute Karlan Grant found the side netting. Meite, sent through by Romeo, then sent a great chance to win it wide with nine minutes remaining.

Casadei made Cardiff pay in stoppage time with a winner. The substitute lashed home in the box after Dewsbury-Hall’s shot had been blocked by Jack Simpson and rebounded to Jamie Vardy.

Vardy went down seemingly fouled but referee Scott played on to allow the Italian to have the final word.

Scott then showed a second yellow to Romeo for barging Dewsbury-Hall over off the ball.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has said the Sky Bet Championship side and JD Sports have admitted to anti-competitive behaviour, which include “price fixing conduct”.

The parties broke competition law between 2018 and 2021 with arrangements which limited competition in the sale of clothing, the CMA said it has provisionally found.

Leicester and its parent companies have agreed to pay a fine up to the watchdog’s maximum penalty of £880,000.

JD Sports will avoid a fine after reporting the illegal activity.

In August 2018, JD Sports said it would stop selling Leicester-branded clothing online for the 2018-19 season, and in January 2019, JD Sports agreed it would not “undercut” the club in terms of online sales for the following season by applying a delivery charge to all orders, the CMA said.

It said JD Sports continued the agreement to sell all Leicester clothing with the charge until at least January 2021.

Michael Grenfell, executive director of enforcement at the CMA, said: “Strong and unimpeded competition between retailers is essential to consumers’ ability to shop around for the best deals.

“Football fans are well-known for their loyalty towards their teams. In this case we have provisionally found that Leicester City FC and JD Sports colluded to share out markets and fix prices with the result that fans may have ended up paying more than they would otherwise have done.

“Both parties have now admitted their involvement, allowing us to bring the investigation to a swift conclusion.

“The fine that Leicester City FC and its parent companies have agreed to pay sends a clear message to them and other businesses that anti-competitive collusion will not be tolerated.”

In response, Leicester stressed that no current club directors or senior management were involved in the arrangements.

“These arrangements related to a limited number of bulk orders by JD Sports, which were accepted by the club’s retail sales team over the relevant period,” the club added.

“There was no intention on the part of the club to unlawfully restrict the resale of the goods supplied and no material financial advantage to be gained from doing so, given the limited amount of kit supplied to JD Sports.

“However, the club accepts the CMA’s findings and has taken steps to strengthen its training and compliance measures to ensure the club’s retail operations fully comply with competition law.”

JD Sports also highlighted that current or former directors or senior management of JD were involved in the offending conduct and that it signed a leniency agreement with the CMA last month.

The company added: “JD has taken a number of steps to strengthen its competition compliance programme and the board reaffirms its commitment to making the necessary resource available, internal and external, to ensure that this is embedded into its daily operations.”

It comes almost a year after JD Sports, rival Elite Sports and Rangers were handed fines over price fixing on replica kits.

Leicester fans wore Jamie Vardy masks in support of their absent striker, whose wife Rebekah lost a court case against Blues boss Wayne Rooney’s wife Coleen after a judge ruled Vardy’s wife passed on information about Rooney to the press.

A dramatic start saw three goals in the first 22 minutes.

Birmingham created the first opening but midfielder Jordan James’ low, bouncing drive was straight at goalkeeper Mads Hermansen.

Blues forced two early saves from the Danish stopper, who blocked Siriki Dembele’s shot with his legs then tipped over Krystian Bielik’s back header from Marc Roberts’ long throw-in.

Leicester took the lead from a speedy breakaway from a Blues corner in the 10th minute – after James Justin’s sliced clearance cannoned off his own post.

Abdul Fatawu sped away, and in a two-v-one, squared to Mavididi to dink the ball over advancing keeper John Ruddy for a classy finish.

Mavididi was booked for climbing the advertising hoarding and goading Birmingham fans in his celebration.

Rooney’s side were level after 15 minutes when James found the bottom corner with a low shot after Dembele squared to Ivan Sunjic, who supplied the killer pass.

Leicester regained the lead in the 22nd minute in another lightning counter-attack which started on the edge of their own box.

This time Ricardo Pereira dispossessed Juninho Bacuna and Fatawu again raced goalwards, releasing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to round Ruddy and slot into an empty net for his seventh goal of the season.

Leicester went close to extending their lead when Dewsbury-Hall crossed deep inside the area but Patson Daka fired wide with a first-time effort from seven yards, before the Zambia striker curled well off target on the angle.

The visitors made it 3-1 in the 50th minute when Mavididi’s curling shot from 15 yards took a slight deflection and flew past Ruddy.

Leicester wasted other chances but Blues jangled their nerves when a James shot deflected in off Jannik Vestergaard to make it 3-2 after 74 minutes.

Inspired by the goal, Birmingham applied pressure but struggled to penetrate Leicester’s determined rearguard as the visitors stayed firm to make it four straight wins and six matches unbeaten.

It was a result that sent Leicester back to the top of the table before Ipswich Town and Leeds United’s evening games.

But Leicester’s recent stutters, after looking certainties for promotion, appeared to be evident again as Norwich took the lead through Gabriel Sara’s fourth goal in as many games.

It was a goal that exposed Leicester’s defensive weaknesses as Sara latched on to a corner to score from close range after 20 minutes.

But Maresca’s side took control after that, dominating the game. They levelled the scores in the 33rd minute with Dewsbury-Hall’s first goal since January, but his 11th of the season.

Leicester edged ahead after 62 minutes when Dewsbury-Hall found Mavididi on the left. He brushed past Norwich defender Jack Stacey and curled the ball into the far corner. It was also his first Championship goal since January.

Norwich arrived with form that was third only to Leeds and Ipswich over the previous six games. But they were dealt a blow after just nine minutes when defender Jacob Sorensen was forced off through injury.

Patson Daka was put through by an accurate ball from Harry Winks, but Norwich goalkeeper Angus Gunn was quick to react.

David Wagner’s side then took the lead after catching Leicester out at a corner. When Marcelino Nunez sent the ball to the near post, Sara moved past a static Daka and scored, unchallenged, from close range.

Leicester’s players were left to debate among themselves about the breakdown in communications. But it turned out to be a rare mistake as they fought back to take command of the game.

A superb cross from Wilfred Ndidi found Mavididi in the 18-yard area and he sent the ball back across goal for Dewsbury-Hall to head the equaliser.

Daka should have put Leicester ahead after 54 minutes when a weak header from Sam McCallum fell short and straight to the Zambia striker. But he hurried his shot and put the ball wide as Norwich escaped.

But a Leicester win looked more likely as the half went on, and Mavididi scored a second just after the hour mark.

Norwich might have equalised when Stacey broke clear, but he hit the side netting with Josh Sargent well placed on the edge of the six-yard area.

Leicester settled it in the third minute of stoppage time when Winks’ shot was blocked the ball fell to Vardy, who had come on as a 77th-minute substitute. The former England striker drove the ball into the net in trademark Vardy fashion.

The Tigers had gone into the game in the top six, but it was the visitors who eased their relegation fears by claiming all three points.

Swansea went ahead after 10 minutes as Liam Cullen got on the end of a corner from the left to steer a low shot into the bottom-left corner and the home side struggled to create clear scoring chances in response.

Josh Tymon created the first opening for the visitors after seven minutes but his driven cross from the left was too quick for any of his team-mates to connect with in the Hull box.

With 10 minutes gone, Swansea forced the first corner which Tymon swung in low from the left and Cullen ran in unmarked to steer a left-foot shot inside the near post.

Hull tried to respond, and Anass Zaroury swung in a cross from the left but it was too far in front of Regan Slater’s run to threaten the Swansea goal.

The Swans should have had a second after 22 minutes when the ball came in from the right, but Przemyslaw Placheta headed back across the area when he should have aimed for an open goal.

Hull were getting punished for mistakes and only a tackle in his own area by Slater halted another attack before Ronald fired over following a free-kick.

Ozan Turfan headed straight at Carl Rushworth when the ball dropped to him in the area with Hull’s best chance on the half-hour.

A surging run by Jaden Philogene was halted by Ben Cabango’s foul but the fact the Tigers wasted the free-kick was indicative of a lacklustre first-half display and they trailed at the break.

A raking pass down the middle from Alfie Jones found Turfan just offside as he ran towards the Swansea goal in the opening minutes of the second half.

Billy Sharp replaced Lewie Coyle after 54 minutes and nearly made an instant impact as he reached Turfan’s through ball before Rushworth, but Nathan Wood got back to clear his prodded shot just short of goal.

Cullen nearly had his second when Hull failed to clear a cross but steered his shot just wide of a post.

Tymon fired in a cross from the left which Ryan Allsop beat away at his near post for a corner, but Swansea could not repeat their first-half goal as Jamie Paterson fired his volley off target.

Philogene forced Rushworth to save with his knees at the near post as the home side looked for a late equaliser.

Allsop beat away a rising shot from Tymon and then gathered the loose ball as Swansea pushed for a second goal, but they had already done enough to claim the points.

It was also Leicester’s first defeat of the campaign in all competitions as Manchester City loanee Delap’s goal was enough to give Hull their third league win of the campaign.

The closest Enzo Maresca’s side came to an eqauliser was when second-half substitute Abdul Fatawu hit the post.

But it was a result that knocked the promotion favourites off the top of the Championship table, on a day when they had been hoping to stretch their winning run to seven games.

Leicester started strongly and captain Ricardo Pereira sent a shot from inside the area just wide of the upright.

But it was Hull who took the lead after 15 minutes when Delap cut in from the right and delivered a shot which took a deflection off Leicester defender Jannik Vestergaard to keep it out of goalkeeper Mads Hermansen’s reach.

Leicester were frustrated for long spells as Kelechi Iheanacho saw a handball appeal turned down, and Harry Winks floated a shot just over the bar from 20 yards out.

In first half stoppage time Iheanacho saw a shot cleared off the line by Hull midfielder Regan Slate after a mix-up with goalkeeper Matt Ingram. But the Leicester striker had already been flagged offside.

Leicester manager Maresca made a triple substitution seven minutes into the second half, but Hull should have had a second goal soon after when Delap supplied Aaron Connolly in the 18-yard box, but he put his shot over the bar.

One of Maresca’s substitutes then came close to putting Leicester level after 62 minutes. Winger Fatawu, who joined on loan from Sporting Lisbon on Thursday, curled a shot against the base of the post.

But Hull were still looking for a second goal and Hermansen had to parry a Cyrus Christie shot over the bar, before the Leicester goalkeeper saved at his near post from Scott Twine.

Maresca brought on Jamie Vardy with 22 minutes to go, but Leicester still struggled to find a way through the Hull defence.

Norwich’s lunchtime defeat at Leicester presented the Sky Blues with a chance to close to within one point of the top six and they appeared to be on their way when Ellis Simms struck to extend his superb goalscoring run.

However, the luckless Kitching twice put the ball into his own net to give the mid-table Bluebirds their first win in three games and keep the gap between Coventry and the Canaries at four points.

The first chance of the game fell Coventry’s way after six minutes when Haji Wright charged through the middle before playing in Kasey Palmer, whose effort was held by Cardiff goalkeeper Ethan Horvath.

A bright start by the Sky Blues continued with midfielder Ben Sheaf bending a superb effort from outside the area narrowly over the bar, with Horvath well beaten.

Against the run of play, Cardiff believed they should have been awarded a penalty in the 15th minute when Perry Ng went down under Jake Bidwell’s challenge but referee Leigh Doughty was unmoved.

The hosts took the lead after 22 minutes when Palmer played the ball right for Milan van Ewijk and his low cross was tapped in by Simms for his 11th goal in seven games.

However, the Bluebirds drew level in bizarre fashion seven minutes later when Joe Ralls’ corner caused problems, leading to Kitching slamming in the first of his own goals.

The best chance the Sky Blues had to regain the lead before half-time came when Van Ewijk pulled the ball back for Palmer, who miscued his effort wide.

Cardiff then almost completed the turnaround within 23 seconds of the restart when Josh Bowler hammered a long-range strike narrowly past the post.

An even better chance for the Bluebirds then came when Yakou Meite’s pass put Karlan Grant clean through on goal, only for the striker to shoot well wide.

Having started the second half shakily, Coventry began to reassert themselves with Van Ewijk quickly sorting his feet out after Wright’s pass ran his way before shooting off-target.

However, Kitching’s tortuous afternoon took a further turn for the worse when Bowler’s cross deflected off him and looped into the far corner past a stranded Brad Collins to gift the visitors the lead.

Coventry boss Mark Robins turned to his bench in trying to salvage the situation but going behind had clearly rocked the hosts, whose passing now lacked its earlier accuracy.

They did have the ball in the net with six minutes left when Wright headed in Sheaf’s cross but the linesman’s flag quickly silenced Coventry cheers as their promotion hopes took a hit.

An enthralling encounter looked destined to end all square after Alan Browne’s sumptuous first-half finish was cancelled out by Sammie Szmodics’ 10th of the campaign minutes after the restart.

After soaking up Blackburn’s pressure, the Lilywhites grabbed a late winner when Lindsay stooped to head home his third of the season and send Ryan Lowe’s men up to fourth in the Championship, ending a run of three consecutive away defeats.

The goals barely tell the story of a pulsating Lancashire derby which saw Blackburn rattle the woodwork twice in the first half, through Arnor Sigurdsson and Andrew Moran, while Duane Holmes did the same for Preston in the second half.

Blackburn did not work Freddie Woodman enough despite their dominance, and are four points outside the play-offs.

Preston missed a superb early chance when Milutin Osmajic’s cross found Holmes at the far post but he shot tamely and Callum Brittain blocked.

The hosts were on top though and were agonisingly close to taking a 20th-minute lead when Tyrhys Dolan clipped a cross that found Sigurdsson, whose volley crashed off the crossbar before Preston cleared.

Will Keane sent a free header over the bar soon after but the visitors did take the lead in the 35th minute after a moment of real class. Brad Potts’ crossfield ball found Browne who controlled exquisitely before rifling a left-foot shot into the roof of the net.

Blackburn fought back though and twice went close before the break through Moran, who saw a 44th-minute shot superbly blocked by Potts before going even closer a minute later when Dolan’s cushioned pass found him on the edge of the area but the Irishman hammered against the crossbar.

They were deservedly level in the 49th minute though and Moran was the architect, chipping a delightful ball for the onrushing Szmodics who controlled with his chest and calmly slotted beyond Woodman.

Blackburn maintained the pressure and with vociferous support behind them, went close again in the 55th minute when Szmodics was sent clear down the left but this time Woodman spread himself and made the save.

The game was inches from swinging back Preston’s way just after the hour when Potts’ deflected cross fell for Holmes, whose first-time shot clattered the near post and rolled along the goal before being cleared.

Woodman had to be alert four minutes from time to repel Brittain’s near-post shot and it proved crucial as Preston struck right at the death. Ben Whiteman curled in a perfect cross and Lindsay stole in ahead of his marker to bullet a header beyond Leo Wahlstedt and send the 6,000 visiting fans wild.

Liam Lindsay’s header early in the second half was enough to give the Lilywhites their second win of the campaign, with Wednesday tasting defeat in all three of their league games so far.

Wednesday boss Xisco Munoz made four changes to the team that lost 4-2 at Hull, with Liam Palmer, George Byers, Momo Diaby and Anthony Musaba joining the starting XI.

Preston manager Ryan Lowe made just the one switch from the 2-1 win at home to Sunderland, with Duane Holmes coming in for Ali McCann.

The away side had the first chance of the game within 10 minutes when Brad Potts met Kian Best’s pinpoint cross with a controlled volley and Devis Vasquez did well to get down to his right to tip the ball round the post.

Wednesday’s first sight at goal was after Musaba’s run from the right but Juan Delgado could not quite make a telling touch. Lee Gregory then fired his shot from the edge of the box straight at goalkeeper Freddie Woodman.

Will Keane nearly found himself on the scoresheet once more for Preston but his close-range effort went wide of goal in the last chance of the half.

It was the perfect start to the second period for North End as they took the lead after 49 minutes.

Best whipped in a brilliant free-kick from the left and there was nothing Vasquez could do about Lindsay’s bullet diving header.

The Lilywhites remained the better of the two sides after the opener as skipper Alan Browne saw his free-kick deflected just wide of goal.

Arguably Wednesday’s best chance of the second half came as Delgado’s header was saved comfortably, following Akin Famewo’s cross from the left.

The home side brought on forwards Michael Smith, Callum Paterson and Ashley Fletcher in an attempt to bolster their attacking threat.

Djeidi Gassama also came on to make his Owls debut after being signed from Paris St Germain earlier in the week.

However, Preston were completely untroubled by Wednesday in the remaining minutes and saw the game out comfortably to claim all three points.

The victory sees North End rise to fifth but the result sees Wednesday sit at the bottom of the table as the only club in the Championship yet to pick up a point this season.

The tall defender’s glancing header from a Joe Williams chip into a crowded penalty area ended a run of four successive defeats for Bristol City and created a nine-point gap between themselves and the Championship relegation zone.

For opponents Swansea, that gap is only five points and they will need to add a cutting edge in the final third of the pitch to avoid dropping into trouble after dominating possession in the first half.

Robins head coach Manning hugged members of his coaching staff at the final whistle, clearly relieved after his team had been booed off at the interval.

He said: “We had to stop our poor run and we were never going to do that with flowing attractive football.

“I was pleased enough with our patience after a cagey first half and from then on it was a really solid team performance.”

“Rob Dickie is a huge player for us in both boxes. He is like a magnet for the ball when crosses come in.

“Being massive helps, but he also has the ability to hold off his marker and take up dangerous positions in front of goal.

“The message to the players before the game was to live in the present and not worry about past results or the future.

“But of course four successive defeats leave a mark and it was important to get a result to boost confidence again.

“I’m pleased with the clean sheet, particularly after a game at Ipswich in midweek in which we did most things right only to concede twice in the closing stages.”

Przemyslaw Placheta wasted Swansea’s best chance on 57 minutes, shooting badly wide at the far post from a Ronald cross.

Head coach Luke Williams insisted he was not looking at the bottom positions in the table.

“I didn’t see a team out there who are drifting or in any way dropping into trouble,” he said.

“I saw a side who controlled the game for much of the time and if the players can add better decision-making and greater coolness in front of goal we can finish the season really strongly.

“We paid for switching off at a set-piece and it was one of a few key moments in the game that cost us.

“Placheta needed to show more composure with his chance and get the shot on target. If we had scored then, I’m sure the least we would have come away with was a point.

“We dominated possession because Bristol City dropped deep when we had the ball. That made them difficult to unlock at the back and we needed to be better with our final ball.”

Despite losing on penalties at Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night, the Robins were able to bounce back with a much-needed win at Middlesbrough.

Jason Knight’s cool finish in the 16th minute after he had been put through by Lukas Engel put Bristol City in charge.

Less than two minutes later Matty James fired in the second in off the post following a misplaced Hayden Hackney pass.

Middlesbrough could not find a way back into the contest, despite pulling one back in stoppage-time when Finn Azaz’s effort deflected in off the back of Samuel Silvera.

Manning, whose side had not won in the league since Boxing Day, was relieved to finally see his side claim three points.

He said: “We had six changes from Wednesday and the lads put in so much to Wednesday, so we needed everybody.

“The fact we found a way to win in a variety of ways is something to learn from. I made two changes early second half too because I felt energy was going to be important.

“We played 120 minutes on Wednesday, plus the travel, it has been a relentless programme for us. We came here with no excuses and you have to max out. I enjoyed it.

“The first half plan worked. The players did a terrific job in implementing it.

“We knew they would have a lot of possession and we were happy to give them it in front of us. We did an excellent job of counter attacking.

“We did an outstanding job of competing, we had blocked shots and crosses, we showed a great togetherness second half.

“They had very few chances really. I was pleased with the second half for different reasons.”

Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick felt that his side had given themselves too much work to do after falling two behind.

Carrick’s side have now won just one of their last seven league matches at the Riverside – leaving them six points off the play-offs.

Carrick said: “I thought there was enough in the game for us to get something.

“In the end we didn’t start particularly well, we didn’t start like us and paid the price.

“Those two quick goals gave them a massive start in the game. My players showed character and ended up playing good football, it just didn’t go for us. In the end it was too much.

“We finished the first half with good signs, the boys looked like themselves and we carried that on. I still thought we looked a threat, we just didn’t end up finishing it off.

“I have belief in the boys, there is s still a lot of good things going on in the game. I know they are capable of taking the chances. We have to believe it will turn.”

Second-half strikes from Jaden Philogene and Tyler Morton cancelled out first-half efforts from Jamie Paterson and Jerry Yates as the Tigers fought back to clinch a point in south Wales.

And Rosenior says his side never felt out of the game, despite conceding twice in the opening 45 minutes.

“The first 15 minutes we started really well and they score with their first shot,” he said.

“When that happens, it rocks you a bit, especially when you’re that much in control.

“The second goal, Ryan (Allsop) has been magnificent, he is a massive part of our game, but he’s disappointed not to hold that one.

“To see the character, team spirit, resilience and quality the players played with after that, it gave the players confidence at half-time.

“It sums up where we are that we’re 2-0 down away from home and we’re disappointed not to win the game.”

Hull started on the front foot, and Swansea lost Harrison Ashby to injury in the 10th minute.

But Michael Duff’s men went ahead after a neat flick from Ollie Cooper found Paterson who cut inside Sean McLoughlin before drilling a low shot beyond Allsop in the 17th minute.

Just six minutes later, Hull goalkeeper Allsop spilled Paterson’s drive which allowed Yates to prod home.

The Tigers pulled a goal back through Philogene, whose rifled effort flew past Carl Rushworth three minutes after the restart.

Morton then volleyed home on 68 minutes to set up a tense finish, although neither side could find a late winner as the points were shared.

And Swans boss Duff bemoaned his side’s inability to manage the second half.

“Frustration is the word,” said the former Burnley defender.

“There was lots of good stuff in the first half, some good quality football, possession with purpose.

“We played through them and hurt them, I thought we were good value for the 2-0 lead.

“The second half, they score from the first attack which sucked the energy out of the team.

“Then we got stuck between a rock and a hard place, whether we get on the front foot as we did in the first half or we try to protect. In the end, we did neither.”

Meanwhile, Duff says he is hopeful of signing free agent Yannick Bolasie on a short-term deal.

The former Everton and Crystal Palace winger, 34, has trained with the club this week and could join ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Leeds.

“Yannick’s been in the building for a week. Hopefully that’ll get done,” said Duff.

“He hasn’t got the pace and power he once had, but you don’t get bought for £25m (by Everton) if you don’t know how to handle a football.

“It’ll be a two-month deal and we’ll see how it goes from there.”