Championship Review: Leaders Norwich denied by late Reading goal

Norwich City missed the chance to move eight points clear at the top of the Championship after drawing 2-2 at home with Reading on Wednesday.

Daniel Farke’s side are still red-hot favourites to win promotion to the Premier League, though, given that they have a seven-point lead over third-place Sheffield United, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Birmingham City.

Aston Villa cemented their place in the play-off positions with a 2-1 win away at Rotherham United, while Hull City maintained their late bid for a top-six finish with a 2-1 victory over Wigan Athletic.

Ipswich Town edged ever closer to relegation following a 2-0 defeat at Brentford, while Millwall and Queens Park Rangers played out a goalless draw.

They battled hard, but City have to settle for a point tonight. #ncfc pic.twitter.com/PcMqCvWP6a

— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) April 10, 2019

RINOMHOTA DENIES CANARIES AT THE DEATH

Andy Rinomhota scored in the seventh minute of stoppage time to put a dent in Norwich’s march towards the Championship title.

The Royals took a 30th-minute lead when Yakou Meite fired home, but a stirring late fightback looked to have sealed all three points for Farke’s men.

Ben Godfrey pulled the hosts level before Christoph Zimmermann put them ahead two minutes later. Reading had the final say, however, with Rinomhota firing home late on to clinch the visitors a dramatic point.

Who said supporting #ReadingFC was easy? #NORvREA pic.twitter.com/IUuWsU0ohy

— Reading FC (@ReadingFC) April 10, 2019

BLADES’ TOP-TWO BID SUFFERS A BLOW

Leeds United’s 2-0 win over Preston North End on Tuesday cranked up the pressure on Chris Wilder’s side ahead of their visit to Birmingham – and they were unable to match their promotion rivals by picking up three points on the road.

Enda Stevens scored after 38 minutes but Sheffield United’s lead lasted just four minutes, Michael Morrison prodding home from close range to ensure a share of the spoils.

The Blades are now a point behind their Yorkshire rivals in the race for second spot, while Birmingham sit six points above the drop zone.

In this together. We are Blades 

On to Millwall this Saturday  pic.twitter.com/1TE1dn6opT

— Sheffield United (@SUFC_tweets) April 10, 2019

VILLA IN SEVENTH HEAVEN

Aston Villa’s superb recent form continued as they beat struggling Rotherham in a game that featured three penalties.

Tammy Abraham missed from the spot before Will Vaulks gave the hosts the lead from 12 yards after Tyrone Mings was penalised for handball – an offence that saw him shown a straight red card.

Jonathan Kodjia made no mistake from the spot shortly after the interval, setting up Jack Grealish to seal all three points in the 51st minute as he finished off a flowing move.

A seventh win in a row gives Villa a five-point lead over seventh-place Middlesbrough, while Rotherham remain two points away from safety in 22nd.

 in a row.

Relentless.#AVFC pic.twitter.com/hj7cqRSats

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) April 10, 2019