Championship review: Newcastle United see off Cardiff City to cement place at the top

Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez (left) and Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock on the touchline during the Sky Bet Championship match at St James' Park, Newcastle. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo.

The Magpies were ahead inside three minutes thanks to Christian Atsu's goal following good work from Aleksandar Mitrovic, before Yoan Gouffran doubled the lead just before half-time.

Peter Whittingham pulled one back in the 77th minute but Newcastle held on.

Norwich's winless run extended to five matches in all competitions as their EFL Cup conquerors Leeds snatched a 3-2 win at Carrow Road.

Robbie Brady's flicked header gave Norwich a first-half lead but Pontus Jansson nodded in his first goal for Leeds.

Chris Wood then put Leeds ahead but substitute Kyle Lafferty looked to have rescued a point for the Canaries, only for Ronaldo Vieira's free-kick to earn a third straight win for the visitors in injury time.

Huddersfield also lost ground on Newcastle as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Birmingham after Elias Kachunga's sixth goal of the season was quickly cancelled out by former Terriers loanee Lukas Jutkiewicz.

Warren Joyce endured a torrid start to life at Wigan as he watched his new side concede two goals to Reading in the first five minutes.

MATCH REPORTS

Sheffield Wednesday 1 Ipswich Town 2 Burton Albion 0 Barnsley 0 Rotherham United 1 Preston North End 3

Joyce was named as Gary Caldwell's successor in midweek but Garath McCleary's quickfire double put the Royals in charge and Yann Kermorgant's second-half penalty sealed a 3-0 win.

Two goals from Tom Ince helped Derby beat managerless Wolves 3-2 at Molineux to make it three wins from five matches since Steve McClaren returned to the club.

Ince gave the visitors the perfect start after only six minutes before a spectacular volley from Darren Bent doubled their advantage.

Helder Costa gave Wolves hope but Ince added a second from the penalty spot and Derby held on after Dave Edwards pulled one back in the 82nd minute.

Aston Villa remain unbeaten under Steve Bruce after coming from behind to beat Blackburn 2-1.

Rovers took the lead through Sam Gallagher's fourth goal in as many games but Jonathan Kodjia equalised from the penalty spot four minutes later and then grabbed the 70th-minute winner.

Goals from Tom Lawrence and Luke Chambers, either side of Gary Hooper's equaliser, gave Ipswich a 2-1 victory at Sheffield Wednesday while Preston were 3-1 winners at struggling Rotherham.

First-half headers from Jordan Hugill and Callum Robinson did the damage and although Richard Wood's header gave Rotherham hope, Marnick Vermijl sealed victory in the 81st minute.

Burton and Barnsley shared a goalless draw at the Pirelli Stadium while Nottingham Forest and Queens Park Rangers both had a man sent off in a 1-1 draw at the City Ground.

QPR had Karl Henry sent off in the first half and Britt Assombalonga soon put Forest in front, but they were also down to 10 men when Hildeberto Pereira was dismissed and sub Idrissa Sylla headed a late leveller.