WHITES & THE BLADES SPEED ON

LEEDS and Sheffield United maintained their pace at the top of the table with comfortable home victories - but Sunderland slipped off the summit.

- John Lyons

The trio went into the midweek programme tied on 32 points and with only goal difference separating them. Leeds backed up their dramatic 4-3 victory at Swansea last Sunday with a much easier 3-0 triumph against out-of-sorts Luton.

Sam Byram (10 minutes), Joel Piroe (45+1) and Dan James (81) were on target for the Whites on Wednesday night.

Delighted boss Daniel Farke said: "To show such a dominant performance, to create many chances, to score three goals and score more or less in the perfect moments, I'm pretty happy with our performance." Sheffield United had briefly gone top the previous night by brushing aside Oxford, also running out 3-0 victors.

Callum O'Hare (10) and the inform Tyrese Campbell (26) put the Blades in control before Jesurun Rak-Sakyi put the icing on the cake just before the hour mark. It was their seventh win in a row at home without conceding a goal.

Manager Chris Wilder said: "It is a great home record and that home form has been fabulous and key.