Leeds United’s Championship promotion push has received a boost, but with a late twist involving dismay for an ex-Manchester United player.
Leeds United pulled to within six points of second-placed Ipswich Town in the Championship’s automatic promotion positions with a 1-0 win against leaders Leicester City on Friday night, despite having played two games more than the Tractor Boys.
Ipswich Town traveled to Wayne Rooney’s Birmingham City for a Saturday afternoon 3pm kick-off, facing a Blues team that had lost three straight games since ex-Manchester United star Rooney’s arrival following the club’s decision to fire former manager John Eustace.
Ipswich were odds-on favourites to win their 12th Championship match of the season, but the match ended in a 2-2 tie, despite Birmingham led 2-0 at the break.
The Blues made a strong start, taking the lead in the 13th minute on Jay Stansfield’s shot, which proved to be the only goal of the first half. Rooney’s team started brightly again, as Birmingham extended their lead in the 51st minute thanks to a Cameron Burgess own goal.
Ipswich, on the other hand, grabbed a goal back through Marcus Harness with 11 minutes remaining, and the Tractor Boys drew level when Harness scored his and Ipswich’s second goal with one minute remaining. Rooney’s head was in his hands after the equalizer, and he is still looking for his first win as Blues manager.
Leeds are presently seven points behind Ipswich in the automatic promotion spots, but having played one more game, they are two points closer to Ipswich than they were at the start of the weekend.
