Championship roundup: Preston North End retain lead, Southampton lose again

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 19 September 2023

Championship roundup: Preston retain lead, Southampton lose again

Preston North End retain their lead at the top of the Championship with victory over Birmingham City, while Southampton lose out at home to Ipswich Town.

Preston North End have continued their outstanding start to the new Championship campaign with a 2-1 victory over Birmingham City.

Ryan Lowe's side went into Tuesday's fixture as the surprise leaders, but that spot appeared to be in doubt when Jay Stansfield put Blues in front at Deepdale.

However, an own goal from Krystian Bielik and a first Preston strike for Milutin Osmajic secured a sixth successive win for the North West outfit.

Ipswich Town remain on Preston's coattails at the top of the table after they posted a 1-0 triumph away at Southampton, who lost their third consecutive match in the process.

A first-half goal from Omari Hutchinson proved to be the difference, with the Chelsea loanee sending a smart low finish into the far corner from 14 yards out.

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna celebrates after the match on August 19, 2023 © Reuters

At a time when Southampton have dropped down to 11th position, Bristol City have catapulted themselves into fifth courtesy of thrashing Plymouth Argyle by a 4-1 scoreline.

Sam Bell and Matty James put the Robins two goals in front by the eighth minute, and although Adam Randell halved the deficit, Mark Sykes soon added a third before Harry Cornick's win-sealing strike 10 minutes from time.

Cardiff City's charge up the standings continued under Erol Bulut as they came through a five-goal thriller with Coventry City, prevailing 3-2 in South Wales.

Matt Godden cancelled out Dimitrios Goutas's early effort, but Karlan Grant and Kion Etete put the game beyond the Sky Blues in the second half before Godden's 95th-minute consolation.

Swansea City must wait for a first Championship win under Michael Duff after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.

Duff had seen his side lead from the seventh minute onwards through a Josh Ginnelly effort, only for Lyndon Dykes to equalise for the Hoops in the first minute of added-on time.

Musaba makes an INSTANT impact 🦉⚡

Sheffield Wednesday lead Middlesbrough 🚨 pic.twitter.com/jHuvut3FxF
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) September 19, 2023

Despite sitting in 22nd place, Swansea stay ahead of Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough who had to settle for a share of the spoils at Hillsborough.

Anthony Musaba had put the home side in front seven minutes before the break, but Darragh Lenihan levelled things up soon after half time to leave both teams with just two points from seven matches.