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The key talking points as the Championship returns

The key talking points as the Championship returns
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West Brom replaced Leeds at the top of the table.

The Sky Bet Championship returned this weekend after being halted by the coronavirus pandemic.

With promotion and relegation battles ahead there is bound to be plenty of drama in the final weeks of the campaign.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at the major talking points from the first games back.

Defeat at Cardiff sees Leeds surrender lead

With West Brom held at home to Birmingham on Saturday, title favourites Leeds had the chance to open up a three-point lead at the top. But Marcelo Biesla's men slumped to a 2-0 loss to Cardiff in South Wales. Fine strikes from Junior Hoilett and Robert Glatzel earned the Bluebirds the win which takes them to the edge of the play-off places and leaves Leeds sitting behind West Brom on goal difference.

Best of the west – Brentford come out on top in London derby

While Leeds and West Brom seemingly battling it out for the automatic promotion places, near-neighbours Fulham and Brentford will be keen to secure their respective places in the play-offs. Fulham remain third but have the Bees buzzing right behind them now as a 2-0 victory at Craven Cottage moves Thomas Frank's side a point behind the Cottagers. Said Benrahma opened the scoring for the visitors with just two minutes remaining, with Emiliano Marcondes wrapping up the victory in stoppage time.

Swansea back with a bang as Brew bags two

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Swansea were arguably the most impressive performers following the 104-day lay-off as they easily brushed struggling Middlesbrough aside. Liverpool loanee and Champions League winner Rhian Brewster scored twice in the opening 21 minutes to set the Swans on course to a 3-0 win at the Riverside, with Andre Ayew adding the third from the penalty spot. While the result leaves Swansea in the play-off picture it means Boro remain in trouble and they sit above the relegation zone by virtue of goal difference only.

Who needs Rooney when you have Sibley?

Experienced campaigner Wayne Rooney burst onto the scene as a teenager and he was on the pitch as Derby midfielder Louie Sibley hit a hat-trick to down Millwall in an entertaining 3-2 win. The 18-year-old, making just his second league appearance for the Rams, bagged his three goals after Matt Smith's header had put the hosts ahead at the Den. Jon Dadi Bodvarsson pulled one back in stoppage time with Derby drawing level with the Lions on 54 points as a result.

Barnsley breathe new life into survival fight

The majority of the teams struggling towards the bottom of the Championship endured a forgetful return to action.
But, with Charlton winning at fellow strugglers Hull, Barnsley were the only other side in the current bottom six to pick up all three points. They came courtesy of an early Elliot Simoes strike, which proved enough to earn the Tykes a 1-0 win at QPR.

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West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice pictured in January 2020
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds24156344152951
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd24156333141949
3Burnley2413923092148
4Sunderland24128436211544
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn2311572721638
6Middlesbrough24107741311037
7Watford2311483331237
8West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom2481242819936
9Swansea CitySwansea249692925433
10Bristol City248973028233
11Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds249693236-433
12Norwich CityNorwich247984036430
13Millwall237882220229
14Preston North EndPreston2461172630-429
15Coventry CityCoventry2477103234-228
16Derby CountyDerby2476112930-127
17Queens Park RangersQPR2451182432-826
18Stoke CityStoke2467112432-825
19Luton TownLuton2474132641-1525
20Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2366112639-1324
21Hull City2457122232-1022
22Cardiff CityCardiff2356122338-1521
23Portsmouth2248102640-1420
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth2346132251-2918


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