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Tom Cannon (right) leads the celebrations after his vital winning goal. Alamy Stock Photo

Cannon nets vital late winner for managerless Stoke, Robinson among goals for Cardiff

A round up of the Irish newsmakers in the Championship.

LAST UPDATE | 29 Dec 2024

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND STRIKER Tom Cannon scored a stoppage-time goal to end struggling Stoke’s long wait for a win in the Sky Bet Championship as they snatched a 1-0 victory over promotion-chasing Sunderland.

The Potters were under the caretaker charge of Ryan Shawcross after sacking Narcis Pelach on Friday, and the club great wildly celebrated what was Stoke’s first win in 10 games.

It lifted them four points clear of the relegation zone and it came following a superb performance in goal by Viktor Johansson, who produced a series of fine saves to thwart the visitors. Irish international Andrew Moran played 71 minutes in midfield for Stoke.

Elsewhere, Callum Robinson scored twice as Cardiff clinched their first away win of the season and ended Watford’s unbeaten home run with a 2-1 victory at Vicarage Road.

Robinson opened the scoring in the first minute and grabbed another before half-time, shortly after Giorgi Chakvetadze had equalised, to dent the hosts’ play-off hopes. Irish U21 international Rocco Vata continued his impressive form by setting up Chakvetadze’s equaliser: Vata has two goals and three assist across his last five games. 

Meanwhile, Brenden Aaronson’s late strike helped Leeds go two points clear at the top of table as they secured a 1-0 victory over Derby at Pride Park.

The Rams were happy to invite Leeds pressure and failed to register a single shot in the first half while Mateo Joseph came close on three occasions for the visitors in a goalless first period.

Leeds piled on the pressure in the second half but Derby stood firm largely thanks to Jacob Widell Zetterstrom, who made four saves including Dan James’ one-on-one effort.

Leeds were not to be denied though and it was Aaronson who was the hero with his seventh goal of the season 11 minutes from time, finishing a fine team move.

Oxford piled more pressure on Wayne Rooney with a 2-0 win over Plymouth, leaving Rooney’s side bottom of the table and four points from safety, albeit with a game in hand. They are in appalling form, however, and this was an 11th defeat in 13 games on the road. 

Millwall secured a 0-0 draw at Coventry in what looked likely to be David Livermore’s last game as the Lions’ caretaker manager.  Livermore has been in charge since the departure of Neil Harris earlier this month, overseeing three games, with former Stoke boss Alex Neil reportedly set to take over. Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley was linked with the post, following the departure of Neil Harris. 

Championship results

  • Norwich 1-1 QPR
  • Preston 3-1 Sheffield Wednesday 
  • Sheffield United 1-1 West Brom 
  • Blackburn 0-1 Hull 
  • Bristol City 3-0 Portsmouth 
  • Coventry 0-0 Millwall 
  • Oxford 2-0 Plymouth 
  • Stoke 1-0 Sunderland 
  • Swansea 2-1 Luton 
  • Watford 1-2 Cardiff 
  • Leeds 1-0 Derby
  • Middlesbrough 0-0 Burnley 

With reporting by PA 

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