Ross Stewart’s second-half double sealed Southampton a 2-1 comeback win at Bramall Lane and consigned Sheffield United to a seventh league defeat of the season.
Stewart cancelled out Tyrese Campbell’s first-half opener for the Blades early in the second period and arrowed a stunning winner into the top corner seven minutes later to clinch the Saints their first league win on the road this campaign.
Saints striker Adam Armstrong missed a penalty in first-half stoppage-time and Blades manager Chris Wilder was sent off by referee Adam Herczeg for kicking a ball into the stand moments after the half-time whistle. Home fans were also incensed by Herczeg’s controversial decision to rule out Sydie Peck’s last-minute header.
Middlesbrough survived a nervy second half to earn a goalless draw against Stoke that extended their unbeaten start to life at the top of the table.
Having failed to register a shot on target in the first half, second-placed Stoke created numerous opportunities after the restart to threaten an away win.
But Boro stayed cool to preserve a point and remain four points clear without losing any of Rob Edwards’ opening eight matches in charge.
Preston missed the chance to move up to second after squandering a 2-0 lead at Hull to draw 2-2 following Oli McBurnie’s second-half brace.
The Lilywhites avoided relegation by a single point last season but they have been the early surprise package in this campaign and went two up inside 10 minutes through Thierry Small and Michael Smith.
Hull, who stayed up last season on goal difference alone, were rejuvenated after the break following three half-time substitutions and the in-form McBurnie’s double saw the spoils shared.
Gonçalo Franco’s blockbuster finish helped Swansea come from behind to beat Blackburn 2-1, with Rovers left raging after a late penalty appeal was waved away.
Franco lashed home a sumptuous top-corner volley to cancel out Todd Cantwell’s opener just before half-time, before Swans’ substitute Liam Cullen finished a rapid breakaway in the 67th minute to turn the tables.
Rovers had a seemingly an iron-clad shout for a spot-kick in the 86th minute when the impressive Cantwell tricked Cameron Burgess and appeared to have his ankles swept, only for referee Leigh Doughty to refuse.

Demarai Gray’s stoppage-time equaliser sparked wild scenes as Birmingham protected their proud home league record iat the death to draw 2-2 with Sheffield Wednesday.
The winger produced an acrobatic finish in the ninth minute of time added on - with home manager Chris Davies running half the length of the field to join in the celebrations with his players.
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It was a dramatic twist on a night when it appeared that George Brown’s strike 14 minutes from time would snatch the Owls a valuable victory. The striker was on hand at the far post to steer home Barry Bannan’s free-kick as the hosts’ run without defeat - stretching back to April 2024 – came under serious threat.
Earlier Jay Stansfield’s fine finish had given the home side the lead as they dominated, but a defensive error handed Jamal Lowe an equaliser.
Matt Clarke came to Derby’s rescue with a headed equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw with Charlton at Pride Park. The big defender struck in the 79th minute to deny Charlton who looked on course for an impressive victory for much of the game.
James Bree punished some casual defending to put the visitors into a 37th-minute lead and Derby struggled to respond until Clarke brought relief to the home fans.
Jack Clarke’s second-half penalty earned Ipswich a hard-fought point from a 1-1 draw with Bristol City at Ashton Gate.
The home side took an 18th-minute lead when Anis Mehmeti delivered an inswinging corner from the left and centre-back Rob Atkinson met it with a close-range header that gave Town goalkeeper Alex Palmer no chance.
Ipswich hit back in the 52nd minute when Clarke placed his spot-kick down the middle to beat the diving Radek Vitek after Ross McCrorie had been penalised for tripping Chuba Akpom inside the box.
Nathan Broadhead’s equaliser earned Wrexham a 1-1 draw at Leicester that extended his side’s unbeaten run to four games in all competitions.
The Foxes, who had seen Jordan James score his first goal since joining on loan, ended September having drawn all four matches this month.