The Boxing Day tradition delivered spectacularly in the Championship on Friday, December 26, 2025. With all 24 teams in action across 12 fixtures, the second tier of English football served up drama, goals, and comebacks aplenty.
Wrexham 5-3 Sheffield United: Match of the Day
In what will surely be remembered as one of the greatest Championship games of the season, Wrexham produced a stunning comeback to defeat Sheffield United 5-3 at Stōk Cae Ras.
Kieffer Moore was the hero, scoring twice against his former club as the Red Dragons recovered from 3-1 down to claim their first victory in six league outings. Patrick Bamford had opened the scoring for the visitors after just seven minutes and added a second on 15 minutes, putting the Blades in a commanding position.
Callum O'Hare made it 3-1 from a long throw-in, capitalizing on Moore's inadvertent flick. However, Moore made amends with a thumping header from a George Thomason corner to reduce the deficit to 3-2 with just 28 minutes played.
The second half belonged to Phil Parkinson's side. Ryan Longman headed in an equalizer, before Moore struck again 14 minutes from time, racing onto a Nathan Broadhead ball and firing past Michael Cooper. Josh Windass converted from the penalty spot after Thomason was brought down by Harrison Burrows to seal a famous victory.
"It was very positive. Phil Parkinson and Steve Parkin were extremely disappointed that they didn't win that game against Southampton, because they did enough. The club's trajectory is well documented, and they have adapted very well to life in the Championship." - Chris Wilder, Sheffield United manager
Coventry City 1-0 Swansea: Leaders extend their cushion
Coventry City maintained their remarkable home form with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Swansea City at the Coventry Building Society Arena. Ephron Mason-Clark scored the only goal on 44 minutes, lashing home after Swansea failed to deal with Milan van Ewijk's long throw.
The result sees Frank Lampard's Sky Blues extend their lead at the top of the Championship to eight points. Coventry remain unbeaten at home this season with nine wins from eleven matches.
"Over the course of the season there are games you play where everything goes in and others where you have chances and it doesn't quite drop or go in. We had chances to get that second goal but it didn't quite fall," said Lampard post-match.
All Championship Boxing Day Results
- Birmingham City 1-1 Derby County - Jack Robinson rescued a point in a bad-tempered draw. Joe Ward (Derby) sent off for two quick bookings, Christoph Klarer (Birmingham) dismissed late for a reckless challenge.
- Millwall 0-0 Ipswich Town - Goalless stalemate at The Den despite Ipswich's recent strong form.
- Coventry City 1-0 Swansea City - Mason-Clark seals eighth consecutive home win for leaders.
- Leicester City 1-2 Watford - Hornets pull off upset at King Power Stadium.
- Middlesbrough 0-0 Blackburn Rovers - Both teams fail to break the deadlock at Riverside.
- Norwich City 1-0 Charlton Athletic - Canaries edge tight encounter at Carrow Road.
- Oxford United 2-1 Southampton - Saints suffer surprise defeat away from home.
- Portsmouth 1-1 Queens Park Rangers - Points shared at Fratton Park.
- Sheffield Wednesday 2-2 Hull City - Drama at Hillsborough as both sides share spoils.
- Stoke City 0-0 Preston North End - Goalless draw at bet365 Stadium.
- West Brom 1-2 Bristol City - Robins take all three points from The Hawthorns.
- Wrexham 5-3 Sheffield United - Red Dragons produce sensational comeback.
Championship Table Update
Following the Boxing Day fixtures, the Championship standings show Coventry City pulling further clear at the summit with a 13-point cushion over the playoff places. Ipswich Town remain in second, while the race for the top six continues to tighten.
At the bottom, Sheffield Wednesday remain rooted at the foot of the table with -9 points following their 18-point deduction for entering administration and failing to meet payment obligations.
What's Next?
The Championship action continues on Monday, December 29, with another full round of fixtures. Key clashes include:
- Coventry City vs Ipswich Town (6pm) - Top vs second in a title six-pointer
- Birmingham City vs Southampton (8:15pm) - Two promotion hopefuls collide
- Stoke City vs Sheffield United - Can the Blades bounce back from Wrexham humiliation?
The festive period proves decisive once again in determining which clubs will be celebrating come May.
