Moore brace keeps Blades top, Plymouth go bottom after Middlesbrough draw

Kieffer Moore's superb brace ensured Sheffield United would be top of the Championship table at Christmas after they beat lowly Cardiff City 2-0 on Saturday.

After a tepid opening period that saw just one shot on target between either side, the Blades assumed control in the second-half and were rewarded just after the hour-mark.

Moore brilliantly controlled Alfie Gilchrist's cross on his chest before rifling a left-footed effort past Jak Alnwick and into the roof of the net.

The Welsh international then doubled his and Sheffield United's tally eight minutes later, drilling in a low effort from the edge of the area to pile more misery on Omer Riza's side.

Chris Wilder's side are now unbeaten across their last six away games (W4 D2), with the Blades last enjoying a longer run on their travels back in February 2023 (seven matches).

But hot on their heels are Leeds United, who comfortably dispatched Oxford United 4-0 at Elland Road, as Manor Solomon grabbed himself a goal and two assists.

Daniel James put the hosts in front in the ninth minute following excellent work from Solomon, before Jayden Bogle doubled their advantage after the break.

Interim boss Craig Short watched on as his side continued to be outclassed by their opponents, as Brenden Aaronson sealed the win with a simple finish beyond Jamie Cumming.

The outstanding Solomon would get the goal his performance merited in the 73rd minute, crashing the ball home from a tight angle after great work from Joel Piroe.

Daniel Farke's side travel to Stoke City on Boxing Day before seeing the year out with another away trip, this time to Pride Park to take on Derby County.

Burnley also kept pace with the top two in the Championship as they eased past Watford 2-1 to preserve their unbeaten record at Turf Moor this season.

The hosts hit the front early on when Zian Flemming let Josh Brownhill's left-wing cross run through for Bournemouth loanee Jaidon Anthony to volley in at the back post.

Scott Parker's side deservedly doubled their lead after the hour when slick build-up from Anthony and Hannibal Mejbri teed up Brownhill to curl a fine finish into the corner.

Despite rarely threatening during the contest, Watford set up a potentially nervy finish when Kwadwo Baah volleyed home, but the Clarets were able to hold on for the win.

Burnley have now lost just one of their last eight league games against Watford (W4 D3), never conceding more than one goal in any of those matches.

Sunderland also emerged victorious against a fellow play-off contender, coming from behind to see off 10-man Norwich City, with Jobe Bellingham scoring the winning goal.

Anis Ben Slimane put the Canaries ahead in the 21st minute, capitalising on a scramble inside the Sunderland box to net his second goal of the season.

However, Dan Ballard netted his second goal in as many games two minutes after the restart, rising highest to plant Eliezer Mayenda's cross beyond Angus Gunn.

Norwich were then reduced to 10 men when Jose Cordoba picked up his second yellow card after he raised a high boot against Chris Mepham.

The hosts then made them pay two minutes later, with Dennis Cirkin's backheel gathered by Bellingham, who sat down a defender before curling the ball into the far right corner.

At the opposite end of the standings, Middlesbrough came from a goal down three times against Wayne Rooney's Plymouth Argyle to draw 3-3 at Home Park.

The Pilgrims looked far from a relegation-threatened side as they dominated the first period and took a deserved lead when Lewis Gibson headed in from close range.

Boro levelled five minutes after the restart through captain Jonny Howson, only for Darko Gyabi to restore Plymouth's lead with 20 minutes left to play.

But Rooney's joy was short-lived. Hayden Hackney, who had missed a glorious chance to put his side ahead earlier on, made amends by stabbing home seven minutes later.

Mustapha Bundu then turned home Gyabi's teasing delivery from close range, but Plymouth hearts were broken when an unmarked Emmanuel Latte Lath scored late on.

The result saw Plymouth go bottom of the table after wins for fellow relegation rivals Portsmouth and Hull City earlier in the day.