Championship results: Middlesbrough beat Bristol City to stay top, Aston Villa held by Ipswich and Sheffield United beat Norwich

MIDDLESBROUGH stay top of the Championship after first-half goals from Martin Braithwaite and Britt Assombalonga secured them a third straight league win.

Tony Pulis’ Boro have played a game more than second-placed Leeds United, who have a perfect record from three games under Marcelo Bielsa.

But the 2-0 win over Bristol City ensured the visitors remain top by a single point.

Aston Villa remain fourth after they were held 1-1 at 10-man Ipswich.

Jonathan Kodjia headed Villa into a first-half lead after Ipswich had hit the crossbar through Gwion Edwards’ shot.

Trevoh Chalobah equalised, but Ipswich were reduced to 10 men before the interval when midfielder Tayo Edun received his second yellow card.

Billy Sharp’s stoppage-time header clinched Sheffield United a 2-1 home win against Norwich.

Summer signing John Egan headed his first goal for the Blades and although Jordan Rhodes’ second of the season hauled Norwich level, Sharp pounced in the third minute of time added on.

Bolton moved up to fifth place after a 1-0 win at bottom club Reading extended their unbeaten league start, with Yanic Wildschut firing the only goal early in the second half.

Nottingham Forest avoided their first defeat of the season thanks to Hillal Soudani’s last-gasp equaliser in a 2-2 draw at Wigan.

Soudani followed up to convert a rebound after Lewis Grabban’s penalty had been saved in the first minute of time added on.

Forest’s Matt Cash had cancelled out Nick Powell’s second-minute header, but Wigan regained the lead through Will Grigg’s penalty after he had been fouled by Ben Osborn.

Bradley Dack’s fourth goal of the season in all competitions secured Blackburn a 1-0 win at Hull.