Championship roundup: Neil Warnock makes winning start with Huddersfield

The new Huddersfield Town manager, Neil Warnock, made an instant impact as a 2-1 home win over Birmingham boosted the Terriers’ survival hopes.

Troy Deeney gave the Blues an early lead but the hosts rallied, with Watford loanee Jo Hungbo – one of seven changes made by Warnock – equalised in the 25th minute following a swift break, scoring his first goal for the club.

Jaheim Headley completed the turnaround four minutes into the second half when he raced on to a long pass from goalkeeper Nicholas Bilokapic. There was a lengthy stoppage when the Birmingham midfielder Krystian Bielik was taken off on a stretcher following a nasty collision, but Warnock’s men held on.

“It’s been a good 48 hours and a hectic week really,” Warnock said afterwards following his return to the club he last managed in 1995. “I asked the players how they felt and they were buzzing, I said that’s what it’s all about. It’s good that the club don’t have to rush into hiring someone and we’ve got a chance of staying up. I want to enjoy myself and for fans to go home happy.”

Huddersfield are just two points off Rotherham in 21st place after the struggling Millers lost 2-0 at home to mid-table Coventry, who scored through Jamie Allen and Viktor Gyökeres. The bottom three are all level on 31 points after Wigan held Norwich to a goalless draw, while Mick McCarthy secured his first win as Blackpool manager as Ian Poveda’s early deflected goal was enough to defeat Stoke.

At the top of the table, Middlesbrough closed to within four points of Sheffield United, having played a match more, after Chuba Akpom’s double set up a 3-1 win over out-of-form QPR. Akpom, the Championship’s top scorer, saw an early strike ruled out for offside but did get on the scoresheet