EFL

Leeds move top of Championship after Luton domination

By Sports Desk November 27, 2024

Leeds United surged to the Championship summit after dominating Luton Town in a 3-0 victory on Wednesday.

Daniel Farke's side edged a seven-goal thriller with a last-gasp winner against Swansea City on Sunday, but had no such drama to contend with three days later at Elland Road.

Sam Byram scuffed an early chance but inadvertently teed up his own sumptuous volley for a 10th-minute lead, before Joel Piroe scored on the rebound from close range on the stroke of half-time.

Substitute Dan James made sure of a routine win in the second half as Leeds moved ahead of second-placed Sheffield United on goal difference, with that pair two points clear of Burnley.

At the other end of the table, Queens Park Rangers climbed off the bottom spot with a 2-0 away triumph over Cardiff City thanks to Zan Celar's first two goals for the club.

The Slovenia international faced heavy criticism after missing a penalty in Saturday's draw with Stoke City, but silenced his critics with strikes in either half at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Fellow strugglers Portsmouth slipped down to the bottom of the league after their match was postponed against Millwall due to floodlight failure at Fratton Park.

Play-off hopefuls Middlesbrough had scored 15 goals across their three-game winning streak, though that came to an abrupt halt after Dominic Hyam's 83rd-minute strike snatched victory for Blackburn Rovers.

Michael Carrick's side still sit sixth, occupying the last play-off spot, but Blackburn's victory saw them jump up to eighth and just two points behind their hosts at the Riverside.

Swansea City secured a 2-1 victory over Derby County in Wednesday's other game, with the visitors doing the damage in the first half after goals from Zan Vipotnik and Ronald.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing pulled one back for Paul Warne's hosts at Pride Park, where defeat left Derby 15th and four places behind Swansea, who bounced back from successive defeats previously.

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    Real Madrid have confirmed that midfielder Eduardo Camavinga sustained a hamstring injury during their Champions League defeat to Liverpool.

    Camavinga was replaced by Dani Ceballos in the 56th minute during Wednesday's 2-0 loss at Anfield, and the club revealed he is expected to spend a period on the sidelines. 

    The Frenchman adds to Madrid's already extensive injury list, joining the likes of Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, David Alaba, Eder Militao, and Dani Carvajal on the injury table. 

    An official club statement read: "Following tests carried out today on our player Eduardo Camavinga by the club’s Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a muscle injury in the femoral biceps of his left leg. Pending evolution."

    This growing list of absentees has raised serious concerns about the team’s depth and their ability to compete effectively both domestically and in the Champions League. 

    The loss against Liverpool has already left Madrid’s Champions League qualification hopes hanging in the balance, finding themselves 24th in the new 36-team table after five games.

    Carlo Ancelotti's side welcome Getafe to the Bernabeu this Sunday, hoping to close the gap to rivals Barcelona at the summit of the LaLiga standings, who are just four points ahead, with Madrid having played a game less. 

  • Camavinga joins Vinicius and Rodrygo on Real Madrid injury list Camavinga joins Vinicius and Rodrygo on Real Madrid injury list

    Real Madrid have confirmed that midfielder Eduardo Camavinga sustained a hamstring injury during their Champions League defeat to Liverpool.

    Camavinga was replaced by Dani Ceballos in the 56th minute during Wednesday's 2-0 loss at Anfield, and the club revealed he is expected to spend a period on the sidelines. 

    The Frenchman adds to Madrid's already extensive injury list, joining the likes of Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, David Alaba, Eder Militao, and Dani Carvajal on the injury table. 

    An official club statement read: "Following tests carried out today on our player Eduardo Camavinga by the club’s Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a muscle injury in the femoral biceps of his left leg. Pending evolution."

    This growing list of absentees has raised serious concerns about the team’s depth and their ability to compete effectively both domestically and in the Champions League. 

    The loss against Liverpool has already left Madrid’s Champions League qualification hopes hanging in the balance, finding themselves 24th in the new 36-team table after five games.

    Carlo Ancelotti's side welcome Getafe to the Bernabeu this Sunday, hoping to close the gap to rivals Barcelona at the summit of the LaLiga standings, who are just four points ahead, with Madrid having played a game less. 

  • Guardiola 'the best manager in the world' despite struggles, says Slot Guardiola 'the best manager in the world' despite struggles, says Slot

    Arne Slot believes Pep Guardiola is still "the best manager in the world" despite Manchester City's recent struggles ahead of their blockbuster clash at Anfield on Sunday. 

    City are without a win in their last six games in all competitions, the latest of which saw them squander a three-goal lead to draw with Feyenoord in the Champions League. 

    For the first time in what was the 942nd game of his managerial career, Guardiola watched his side fail to win a match after leading by three goals.

    And up next for the Citizens is Slot's Liverpool, who dispatched Real Madrid 2-0 on Wednesday to become the first team to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages. 

    Though City have lost their last three Premier League games, as many as they had in their previous 47 combined (W35 D9), Slot was confident Guardiola could turn things around.

    "Everybody is looking at their results but if you face them, you analyse it. They were 1-0 up against Brighton and could have scored one or two more," Slot said.

    "They could have been two or three goals up against Tottenham and against Feyenoord - that has not happened many times.

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    Slot was also able to provide an update on defensive duo Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate, who looked to have picked up injuries in the win over Madrid. 

    No player made more tackles (four), won more duels (eight), won more fouls (three) or provided more assists (one) than Bradley against Los Blancos. 

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    "They are still being assessed so it is difficult to know where they are," Slot said.

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    "Like I've just said, they are still being assessed. We have to wait and see where they are this weekend and after that. Trent [Alexander-Arnold] will be fit to start," Slot added. 

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