The picture at the top of the Championship has become a little less congested after the mid-week fixtures, with Watford and Middlesbrough being the major beneficiaries, while Derby County's push for the automatic promotion places suffered a setback. Bournemouth also find themselves needing to regain their form to get among the top two again, after only managing to gain a point at Cardiff City. Norwich City's charge towards the top places stuttered once again, as a crazy finale to their clash at Huddersfield ended in a draw, leaving them back in fourth place in the table with only eight games until the end of the season.
The top of the table clash saw Derby host the team with the most miserly defence in the league, as Middlesbrough visited the midlands. Former England manager, Steve McClaren's side have seen their form dip noticeably in recent weeks, as key players have been hit with injuries. So it was for the game against Boro, as leading marksman Chris Martin was once more out. A single goal by Chelsea loanee Patrick Bamford mid-way through the second-half proved enough to give the visitors all three points in a 1-0 victory.
Watford's 2-0 success over Wigan ensured that they head the race for the riches of the Premier League, with goal difference enough to place them above Middlesbrough at present at the summit.
Wigan are fighting relegation at the bottom but showed plenty of heart against the Hornets, before two second-half goals from Troy Deeney sunk them.
Bournemouth slipped off their top spot and back to third place, with a 1-1 draw away at Cardiff. Harry Arter looked to be setting his side on the way to three precious points when he scored on 16 minutes, only for Bruno Ecuele-Manga to head in an equaliser in the second period.
Eddie Howe's side twice hit the woodwork and had a goal struck off by the referee, in a bad night for the Cherries, as they fell two points behind the joint leaders.
Norwich City are 5 points off the top two places, after coming back from a goal behind on two occasions at Huddersfield Town in an entertaining 2-2 draw. Ishmael Miller gave Town the lead, before Wes Hoolahan brought the Canaries level.
In a dramatic final few minutes, James Vaughan looked to have given his side all three points, before Jamar Loza stepped in to grab another equaliser for City.
The battle for automatic promotion and the play-offs continues to keep the teams involved on the edge of their seats and seems likely to do so right to the final kick of an intriguing Championship season.