Burnley hit back to boost promotion push

Burnley survived a scare to beat Middlesbrough 3-1 as the Championship leaders moved six points clear at the top on Saturday.

Vincent Kompany's side were rocked when Middlesbrough's Duncan Watmore punished a defensive blunder to put the visitors ahead just after halftime.

But Burnley responded emphatically and Manuel Benson equalised on the hour with a superb solo effort, cutting in from the touchline and firing past Zack Steffen.

The 25-year-old winger struck again with a stroke of luck seven minutes later as his cross went straight in following a misjudgement by Steffen.

Jonny Howson headed into his own net from Josh Brownhill's 72nd minute corner to effectively wrap up Burnley's sixth successive home win at freezing Turf Moor.

Burnley's Connor Roberts was sent off in the final minutes when the referee thought he had handled on the line, although replays showed the ball actually hit the bar.

But Michael Carrick's men were unable to take advantage as Chuba Akpom's weak penalty was saved by Arijanet Muric.

That's that!#EFL | @CazooUK pic.twitter.com/8We22t14RZ
— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) December 17, 2022

Second-placed Sheffield United can close the gap on Burnley when they play Wigan on Monday.

Third-placed Blackburn remain firmly in the race for automatic promotion to the Premier League after a 2-0 win at fifth- placed Norwich.

Blackburn, two points adrift of second place, took the lead when Ben Gibson sliced Tyler Morton's free-kick into his own net in the fourth minute.

Tyrhys Dolan's deflected 86th minute strike condemned Norwich to a fourth defeat in their last six home games as jeering fans called for boss Dean Smith to be sacked.

Watford climbed to within four points of Sheffield United thanks to a 2-0 win over rock bottom Huddersfield, with Joao Pedro scoring both goals in the second half.

QPR boss Neil Critchley made a winning start as the west Londoners ended a run of four straight defeats by defeating Preston 1-0.

Jimmy Dunne netted in the 58th minute to give a perfect start to former Blackpool manager Critchley, who replaced Michael Beale after his predecessor took charge at Glasgow Rangers.

Swansea staged a remarkable comeback to draw 3-3 with Coventry.

The Sky Blues looked certain to take the three points when Viktor Gyokeres made it 3-0 in the 54th minute, adding to goals from Jonathan Panzo and Jamie Allen.

But Joel Piroe pulled one back in the 68th minute and the Swans earned an unlikely point through Jay Fulton and Liam Cullen.

West Bromwich Albion earned a fifth consecutive win, beating Rotherham 3-0 at the Hawthorns.

Hull and Sunderland drew 1-1, Stoke came from behind to beat Bristol City 2-1 and Cardiff drew 1-1 with Blackpool.