A pivotal night in the Sky Bet Championship saw Coventry City take another major stride towards promotion, Oxford United boost their survival hopes and dramatic late goals reshape the picture in both the promotion and relegation battles.

Coventry Tighten Grip on Top Spot

Coventry City underlined their status as title favourites with a commanding 3-0 home win over Preston North End.

Frank Lampard’s side made it six wins in a row, moving eight points clear at the summit and nine ahead of third place with just nine games remaining.

The Sky Blues are starting to look increasingly inevitable, while Preston’s struggles continue, now six without a win and just one victory in 11.

Charlton Shock Boro at Riverside

Second‑placed Middlesbrough missed the chance to re‑establish breathing space in the automatic promotion race as they were beaten 1-0 at home by Charlton Athletic.

Despite sustained pressure, Boro were unable to find a breakthrough, with Conor Coady’s goal enough to seal a surprise away win. Kim Hellberg’s side remain second but now sit just one point above Millwall in third.

Oxford Claim Huge Relegation Six‑Pointer

Oxford United picked up a massive 1-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers in a key battle at the bottom of the table.

The U’s have now won three straight matches for the first time in 13 months, lifting themselves up the table and out of the bottom two.

It was a particularly emotional evening for the club, with Oxford dedicating the performance to academy player Amelia Aplin.

Blackburn, meanwhile, were well beaten and remain firmly embroiled in the relegation battle.

Late Saints Equaliser Frustrates West Brom

West Bromwich Albion were heading out of the relegation zone before conceding a 91st‑minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Southampton.

Jayson Molumby’s first‑half goal looked set to earn the Baggies a vital win, but Cyle Larin’s late header rescued a point for Saints.

The result leaves West Brom second‑from‑bottom, while Southampton leapfrog Derby into seventh on goal difference, just outside the play‑off places.

Birmingham Boost Promotion Bid

Birmingham City claimed a deserved 1-0 win over Queens Park Rangers at St Andrew’s.

Both sides entered the contest on the back of three straight defeats, but the Blues were comfortably the stronger and secured a big result in the promotion race, easing pressure and restoring momentum.

Norwich Continue Revival Against Blades

Norwich City maintained their excellent run of form by coming from behind to beat Sheffield United 2-1.

A first‑half volley from Jairo Riedewald had put the Blades ahead, but second‑half goals from Jack Stacey and substitute Amankwah Forson turned the game around.

It is now three wins in a row for the Canaries and 12 victories in 21 matches under Philippe Clement, while defeat likely ends any lingering play‑off hopes for Sheffield United.

Coventry tighten grip on summit as promotion and survival battles intensify

Coventry tighten grip on summit as promotion and survival battles intensify