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Championship: Brighton go top, Leeds lose ground, Sheffield Wednesday win

Brighton & Hove Albion's Sam Baldock celebrates scoring his side's second goal of the game during the Sky Bet Championship match at Oakwell, Barnsley.
Image: Sam Baldock celebrates after opening the scoring goal at Oakwell

Brighton returned to the top of the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday after claiming a 2-0 victory over Barnsley at Oakwell.

Sam Baldock struck twice in the second half to ensure the Seagulls leapfrogged Newcastle, who face Aston Villa on Monday live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7.30pm.

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Barnsley remain in ninth, but are now nine points off the play-off positions.

Leeds lost ground on the automatic promotion places after drawing 1-1 with Ipswich at Portman Road.

Stuart Dallas cancelled out Freddie Sears' opener just before half-time, but Leeds failed to build on their equaliser and were unable to find a winner in the second half. Leeds stay fifth, while Ipswich remain in 13th place.

Sheffield Wednesday made it four wins in row with a 2-1 success over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

Goals in either half from Almen Abdi and Fernando Forestieri proved to be enough for the Owls, who remain in sixth spot despite picking up the victory.

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Sheffield Wednesday's Fernando Forestieri during the Sky Bet Championship match at Hillsborough Stadium
Image: Fernando Forestieri was on target for Sheffield Wednesday as they won 2-1 at Nottingham Forest

Wednesday goalkeeper Keiren Westwood had earlier saved a penalty from new Forest forward Ross McCormack, but did eventually concede with Ben Osborn grabbing what proved to be only a consolation. Forest drop a place to 18th.

Relegation-threatened Burton picked up a surprise 2-1 victory over play-off chasing Norwich at the Pirelli Stadium.

January signings Cauley Woodrow and Michael Kightly scored either side of a Cameron Jerome strike to ensure Burton moved up a place to 20th and four points clear of the drop zone.

Norwich remain in seventh following the defeat and are now seven points behind Wednesday in the final play-off spot.

Cameron Jerome opened the scoring in Norwich's 3-2 victory over Cardiff.
Image: Cameron Jerome netted for Norwich in their defeat at Burton

Cardiff secured their fourth win in five matches by defeating bottom-club Rotherham 5-0 at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Kadeem Harris opened the scoring for the Bluebirds, with Junior Hoilett doubling their advantage in first-half stoppage time.

Craig Noone and Kenneth Zohore (2) completed a resounding win for the home side in the second-half. Cardiff stay in 12th place.

Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock celebrates his team's win with Craig Noone at the end of the Sky Bet Championship match v Bristol City
Image: Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock saw his side win 5-0 at home to his former club Rotherham

Birmingham continued their miserable run under Gianfranco Zola with a 4-1 home defeat to Queens Park Rangers.

Matt Smith sent QPR on their way to victory in the first-half with his first goal since signing from Fulham in January, with Conor Washington, Idrissa Sylla and Yeni N'Gbakoto netting in the second-half.

Emilio Nsue scored a stoppage-time consolation for 14th-placed Birmingham, who have won only once since Zola replaced Gary Rowett as manager in December.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND-JANUARY 2: Gianfranco Zola, manager of Birmingham City looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Birmingham City and Brent
Image: Gianfranco Zola's poor start to life at Birmingham continued with a heavy home defeat to QPR

After winning for the first time in six matches, QPR move up three places to 16th.

Wigan remain in the relegation zone after playing out a goalless draw with Preston at the DW Stadium.

Goalkeeper Matt Gilks ensured Wigan picked up a point by saving an early spot kick from Jordan Hugill. Preston stay in 10th place.

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