Leeds United continued their quest for a Premier League return with a win over Derby County, while Burnley were held by Middlesbrough.
Brenden Aaronson struck a late winner to ensure Leeds United ended 2024 top of the Championship, after they narrowly beat Derby County 1-0 at Pride Park on Sunday.
The last time Leeds were top of the second tier at the end of a calendar year was in 2019 – a season that ended with their promotion to the Premier League as title winners.
Daniel Farke’s side dominated proceedings in the first half but without reward, as Mateo Joseph forced Jacob Widell Zetterstrom into a smart save with the only shot on target in the opening 45 minutes.
Leeds continued to push for the goal their display merited after the break, with Zetterstrom thwarting efforts from Aaronson, Largie Ramazani and Daniel James.
Derby did, however, have a chance to snatch an unlikely lead when Curtis Nelson’s header from a corner was brilliantly saved by Illan Meslier later on.
But the Rams’ resolve was eventually broken in the 79th minute when substitute Joel Piroe slipped in Aaronson, who placed the ball beyond Zetterstrom to seal the triumph.
Leeds’ victory saw them win three successive Championship away games against Derby for the first time since between 1954 and 1960.
In the other late game in the second tier, Burnley missed the chance to move into the Championship’s second automatic promotion spot following a goalless draw with Middlesbrough.
A win for the Clarets would have moved them up to second in the table after Sheffield United had drawn with West Bromwich Albion, but they were unable to capitalise on the Blades’ slip-up.
After a first half devoid of goalmouth action, the encounter sparked into life after the break, with Finn Azaz forcing James Trafford into making a smart stop before the hour.
Burnley’s Josh Brownhill squandered two glorious opportunities to gift his side all three points, seeing an effort cleared off the line by Dael Fry before blazing over from close range.
It is now one win in six for Michael Carrick’s side, a run which has included two draws with Scott Parker’s Clarets in a little over three weeks.