Coventry Hold Championship Lead with Victory Over Charlton on Lampard Anniversary

Coventry City maintained their 10-point advantage at the summit of the second-tier Championship in English football, securing a 3-1 win against Charlton to celebrate Frank Lampards first year as manager in impressive fashion.

The visitors took the lead through Harvey Knibbs, yet Josh Eccles and Ellis Simms turned the game around for Coventry before the break.

Simms netted his second goal with 14 minutes remaining, bringing his tally to five strikes across three matches and marking the 50th goal for the Sky Blues in their first 18 fixtures.

"Really pleased," Lampard commented. "Tough match to go 1-0 down, from a set-piece, the first threat that they had. That can happen."

"We had a lot of the ball, we just needed to inject speed and carry on creating chances which we managed to do."

Middlesbrough climbed to second place as new boss Kim Hellberg enjoyed a successful debut, with his team rallying from a deficit to triumph 2-1 against high-flying Derby at home.

The Swedish coach joined Boro after Rob Edwards departed for Premier League side Wolves, who are struggling.

Hellbergs charges found themselves trailing after just 90 seconds, when Patrick Agyemang slotted home for the Rams.

Boros relentless second-half assault paid off as loanee Matt Targett from Newcastle levelled the scores 15 minutes from the end.

Morgan Whittaker then sealed the victory in the 84th minute.

The result propelled Boro into the automatic promotion spots, following Stokes earlier defeat to Hull on Saturday.

Millwalls Tristan Crama struck in the seventh minute of stoppage time to give the Lions a 3-2 success against Southampton, elevating them to third position.

The Saints believed they had earned a draw when Finn Azaz equalised three minutes before full time, his fifth goal in four outings.

However, the French defenders late intervention kept the home sides promotion aspirations alive.

In other action, Philippe Clement claimed his initial win as Norwich head coach, halting a 13-match barren spell with a 3-1 defeat of Queens Park Rangers.

Emiliano Marcondes opened the scoring for the Canaries in the ninth minute from close range.

QPR responded swiftly, levelling two minutes later via Rumarn Burrell.

Norwich, battling relegation, added two goals in three first-half minutes: an own-goal by Amadou Mbengue and a curling effort from Amankwah Forson, securing their first victory since August 30.

Portsmouth slipped into the drop zone following a 1-0 home reverse to Bristol City, who rose into playoff contention thanks to Anis Mehmetis header in the 17th minute at Fratton Park.

The loss, alongside Sheffield Uniteds 3-2 triumph at Leicester, sent Portsmouth tumbling into the relegation places.

Sheffield United surged to a two-goal cushion within four minutes, strikes from former Leicester forward Tom Cannon and Jairo Riedewald, before Sydie Pecks stunning volley made it 3-0 at half-time.

Leicester clawed one back through Stephy Mavididi, then Jordan James ignited a tense finish with a brilliant long-range effort in the 82nd minute.