Despite a series of postponements across the Premier League and EFL on Saturday, Leeds United had the chance to go top of the Championship with a home game against Derby County that survived Storm Darragh and UK wind warnings.
The Whites trailed leaders Sheffield United by three points before kick-off and had a superior goal difference to Chris Wilder’s side.
Sunderland were also in action in the early games, while Sheffield Wednesday hosted Preston North End in a meeting between the mid-table sides.
Here are the results from Elland Road, Stadium of Light and Hillsborough, including goals, scorers and table impact.
Absolute CHAOS between Sheffield Wednesday and Preston…
Within moments, a bottle of water stops the game, a penalty is awarded from the resulting ball and the penalty is lost! 😲 pic.twitter.com/LjQ9kElpEK
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 7, 2024
Leeds vs Derby: Goal Rondon, Womber
Derby started five points above the relegation zone and arrived at Leeds on a 10-game winning streak. Their resistance lasted 39 minutes before Joe Rondon scored Leeds’ opener.
Max Wober then struck a minute before half-time as Daniel Farke’s men edged past the Blades, who visit West Bromwich Albion on Sunday (3pm GMT).
Derby were 15th ahead of the games kicking off at 3pm on Saturday in the division, five points above the relegation zone.
Joe Rondon leads Leeds United! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/O2TdZQWd36
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 7, 2024
Sunderland vs Stoke: The Black Cats keep pace
There was plenty of fun to be had at Sunderland as Lewis Coumas responded to his shot being saved by goalkeeper Anthony Patterson after a fine run, setting up a superb finish to open the sixth minute.
Patterson’s pass set up an interplay between Tom Watson and Jobe Bellingham, which ended with Watson firing over to ensure Stoke’s lead lasted less than 60 seconds later.
Watson, who also hit the crossbar after the break, hit the winner four minutes into the tie with an effort saved by Michael Rose.
Sunderland are now two points behind the leaders in fourth, extending their lead over fifth-placed Middlesbrough to five points after their nearest rivals Burnley were held to a 1-1 draw on Friday. Stoke are 14th, four points off the top half of the table.
Electric start at the Stadium of Light! ⚡
Lewis Coumas put Stoke City ahead after six minutes before Tom Watson equalized just a minute later 💥 pic.twitter.com/LioUiZZFEs
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 7, 2024
Sheffield Wednesday v Preston: Smith level goals
A Danish duo gave North End the lead after 14 minutes on Wednesday, Emil Riis meeting Mads Frokjaer-Jensen’s cross to give the visitors hopes of a first win in 10 games.
Josh Windass’s second-half penalty for the home side was saved by Freddie Woodman, but the Owls earned a point through Michael Smith’s 76th-minute goal.
Wednesday was points out of the playoff spots before the afternoon games. Preston moved four points above the relegation places.
Leeds move 🔝 off the Championship table after a 2-0 win over Derby County ✅#BBCFootball #LUFC pic.twitter.com/zKnwmpUru9
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) December 7, 2024
League table
With sixth-placed Watford’s game at Cardiff City postponed due to weather, the top four now have a cushion over the rest of the league.
Third-placed Burnley are a point behind the top two and a point above Sunderland. Outside of the play-off places, seventh-placed West Brom and eighth-placed Blackburn Rovers are two points behind Watford.
Bottom side Portsmouth started the day four points behind fourth-placed Plymouth and two behind the two teams above them in the relegation zone, QPR and Hull City.
Coventry City, Oxford United, Luton Town and Cardiff were also within three points of the relegation places.
