Championship roundup: Norwich return to the top with win over Forest | Championship

Norwich returned to the top of the Championship with a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest at Carrow Road.

Jacob Sorensen punished a mistake from the defender Yuri Ribeiro to give Norwich the lead in first-half stoppage time. Anthony Knockaert equalised in the 73rd minute when his cross sailed into the Norwich net, but a deflected Emi Buendía effort restored the home side’s lead four minutes later to open up a three-point gap on second-placed Bournemouth.

Fifth-placed Reading were stunned at home as Birmingham won 2-1 thanks to a Jon Toral double. Toral had not scored for 22 games but he smashed home Kristian Pedersen’s pass in the 29th minute. The Spaniard doubled Birmingham’s advantage eight minutes later with a delightful curling shot inside the far post. Yakou Meite halved the deficit just after the hour mark before Birmingham were reduced to 10 men when Harlee Dean was booked for a second time after 70 minutes. Reading spurned the chance to equalise from the resulting penalty when Lucas João’s effort was saved by Neil Etheridge.

Bristol City moved into the play-off places with a 1-0 victory over Blackburn at Ashton Gate. The substitute Famara Diédhiou struck the winner eight minutes from time with a classy swivelled finish.

Wayne Rooney extended his unbeaten record as Derby’s interim manager to four games with a 0-0 draw at Brentford. The home side, now unbeaten in 10 games, missed the best chance when Bryan Mbeumo clipped the crossbar in the second half.

Preston ended their Deepdale misery with a 3-0 victory over Middlesbrough. Alex Neil’s side had won only once at home in the league this season before a stirring second-half show overcame Boro. Brad Potts flicked in the opener in the 63rd minute and Scott Sinclair added a low, left-foot second goal just moments after heading against the crossbar. The substitute Emil Riis Jakobsen drove home the third seven minutes from time to confirm Boro’s third defeat in four games.

Barnsley beat Wycombe 2-1 at Oakwell after Callum Styles had fired them ahead after 31 minutes. Wycombe equalised four minutes after half-time when Aapo Halme felled Garath McCleary and Joe Jacobson converted from the spot. Barnsley were awarded their own penalty when Luke Thomas was tripped on 61 minutes and Cauley Woodrow stroked home his sixth goal of season.