Leicester consolidate promotion push as Ipswich stumble

LONDON: Leicester maintained their lead in the Championship with a 2-0 victory away to Cardiff on Friday, while Ipswich, who are vying for promotion, were held to a 0-0 draw by struggling QPR.

With their 20th win in 25 league games this season, the Foxes were led by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and James Justin.

After being relegated last season, Leicester is the clear favorite to return to the Premier League right now.

They might possibly surpass Reading’s all-time high of 106 Championship points, which was achieved in the 2005–06 campaign.

They are currently eight points ahead of Ipswich in second place and eleven ahead of Southampton in third with 62 points already.

The Premier League is automatically extended to the top two.

Ipswich was frustrated by QPR at Portman Road and missed the opportunity to gain some distance on the pursuing pack.

Steve Cook’s header that struck the post and crossed the goal line gave QPR the best chance to win.

At Saint Mary’s, Southampton defeated Plymouth 2-1 thanks to goals from Che Adams and Carlos Alcaraz.

The triumph of Southampton was witnessed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, a renowned Saints fan.

Ryan Hardie scored in stoppage time to tie the game after goals from Adams and Alcaraz in the second half.

Though they are now two games short of their 102-year club record, Southampton has gone 17 league games without a loss.

Leeds’ chances of earning automatic promotion were further dashed at the Hawthorns, where they were defeated 1-0 by West Bromwich Albion.

Carlos Corberan’s fifth-place club won their second straight game at home thanks to a goal from Grady Diangana in the 37th minute.

Leeds, in fourth place, has only won once in their previous five games and is nine points behind Ipswich.

Hull’s 3-2 victory over 10-man Blackburn at the MKM Stadium put them back in the play-off spots.