Coventry City have significantly strengthened their position at the summit of the Championship, opening up an eight-point lead after a narrow Boxing Day victory while their closest challengers for promotion faltered.
Sky Blues Grind Out Vital Home Win
Ephron Mason-Clark's powerful strike just before half-time proved decisive in a hard-fought 1-0 win for Frank Lampard's side against a resilient Swansea City at the Coventry Building Society Arena. The goal, which came against the run of play, secured a ninth home league win of the campaign and maintained Coventry's unbeaten record on their own turf this season.
The hosts were far from their free-flowing best and had to withstand significant second-half pressure from the Swans. Swansea's Liam Cullen and Melker Widell both spurned excellent opportunities to snatch an equaliser, allowing Coventry to cling on for three precious points. The result means Coventry now hold a commanding 13-point cushion over the teams outside the automatic promotion places as they chase a Premier League return for the first time in a quarter of a century.
Promotion Pack Stutter on Boxing Day
The Sky Blues' advantage was extended as the teams directly below them in the table all failed to win. Middlesbrough's festive slump continued with a goalless draw at home to Blackburn Rovers at the Riverside Stadium. Following a 2-0 defeat at Bristol City before Christmas, Boro have now failed to score in two consecutive matches under new head coach Kim Hellberg.
In the day's early kick-off, Ipswich Town were also held to a 0-0 draw away at Millwall. The Tractor Boys, hoping to close the gap on the top two, found chances hard to come by at The Den, with Millwall goalkeeper Christian Walton making key saves to keep the scores level.
Hull Fight Back But Miss Chance to Go Third
Hull City missed a major opportunity to climb into third place after twice coming from behind to draw 2-2 with rock-bottom Sheffield Wednesday. The Owls, buoyed by news of a potential takeover, took the lead twice through Svante Ingelsson and Bailey Cadamarteri, but were pegged back each time by Mohamed Belloumi and a 65th-minute Matt Crooks leveller.
The point leaves Hull in fourth, level on points with Ipswich but behind on goal difference. For Sheffield Wednesday, the draw does little to alleviate their dire situation; they remain on minus eight points and are still searching for a first home league victory this season after extending their winless run to 16 games.
Elsewhere, Preston North End extended their unbeaten run to seven matches with a 0-0 draw at Stoke City, while Watford came from behind to win 2-1 at Leicester City, with Iman Louza providing two assists.
