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Leeds United returned to the top of the Championship table with a deserved victory over mid-table Preston to move closer to a return to the Premier League. Sheffield United's third successive defeat - at lowly Plymouth - means the Whites are now five points clear of the third-placed Blades with four games to play. Daniel Farke's men took the lead after four minutes through Manor Solomon's super curled strike from 20 yards but the visitors equalised 107 seconds later when right-back Kaine Kesler-Hayden cut in on to his left foot and thumped home an emphatic finish. Parity was short-lived, though, as Leeds went back in front after 13 minutes through Jayden Bogle's close-range finish from Solomon's fine cross from the left. The promotion-chasing hosts totally dominated thereafter and should have wrapped up the win when striker Joel Piroe smashed a close range shot against the crossbar. Preston never looked like getting a second equaliser and they have now won just one of their past 11 league matches as their season peters out. Leeds' vastly superior goal difference means seven points from their remaining four games will now be enough to guarantee promotion. Burnley had knocked Leeds down to second with a 2-1 win over Norwich on Friday but the Whites made the perfect start on Saturday to reclaim top spot. Farke's side scored inside the first five minutes for the seventh time this season - and second time this week after Daniel James' goal at Middlesbrough on Tuesday - when Tottenham loanee Solomon curled home a sumptuous effort. However, a goal from another Premier League loanee quickly silenced the vast majority of Elland Road, as Aston Villa's Kesler-Hayden scored his second goal in three matches. Leeds have now won 16 of their 21 home games, though, and once Bogle got in between two Preston defenders to put them back in front they had more than enough to win the match. Top scorer Piroe, now without a goal in eight games, should have made it 3-1 and Joe Rodon also missed a chance from close range from a Solomon corner. The Whites visit struggling Oxford on Friday evening, while Paul Heckingbottom's side host Queens Park Rangers earlier that same day in pursuit of just a second league win since 11 February. Leeds United boss Daniel Farke told BBC Radio Leeds: "It feels pretty good after an exhausting week with three difficult games. It was a priceless three points for us. "It was a really good performance and we could have made life easier by taking a few of our chances, it must have been one of our highest expected goals of the season. We should have scored six or seven. "If you don't score the third goal and miss this crazy amount of chances then you always need to stay switched on because Preston played with freedom. It was crucial that we returned to our best behaviour against the ball. "I didn't know the scoreline at Plymouth but you sense the reaction of the supporters. I wanted to make sure that we stayed focused and not thinking about what happened on other pitches. "I like the balance because we played with fire in the heart but cool in the head." Preston North End boss Paul Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Lancashire: "I'm really disappointed with the two goals we conceded, I thought they were poor on our part. "We were brave with how we passed the ball and tried to take the game to them, I was really pleased with that. "We knew if we could keep one goal in it then we'd get opportunities but they defended their box well and we couldn't open them up. "Overall I'm delighted with the effort and commitment of the players but Leeds had the better chances."

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Yoane Wissa scored late in the second half as Brentford and Arsenal played out a drab draw that leaves the second-placed Gunners 10 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool. Mikel Arteta made five changes from the side that so impressively beat Real Madrid 3-0 midweek in the Champions League, and this game at Emirates Stadium lacked quality from the off. It took until the 20th minute for the first effort on target when Kristoffer Ajer had a shot saved by David Raya after Bryan Mbeumo played him into the area. Arsenal thought they had taken the lead minutes later when Kieran Tierney headed in Ethan Nwaneri's cross, but a video assistant referee (VAR) check showed the left-back was offside. Leandro Trossard produced the Gunners' first effort on target just before half-time when his low drive was pushed away by Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken. Thomas Partey scored the opening goal in the 61st minute after excellent work from Declan Rice, the England midfielder carrying the ball from deep in his own half and setting up Partey who shot powerfully past Flekken. Brentford equalised 13 minutes later when Nathan Collins headed the ball back across the Arsenal penalty area for Wissa to cleverly hook it into the net on the turn from six yards out. Liverpool can move 13 points clear when they host West Ham on Sunday (14:00 BST), but Arsenal's focus now turns to their Champions League second leg in Madrid on Wednesday. With such a big game in Madrid looming, Arteta made changes to his side as he looked to rest players. The Gunners struggled to create chances without captain Martin Odegaard and key threat Bukayo Saka in the starting line-up, and only produced three shots on target. Arteta was able to bring off Rice and Partey, whilst making sure several of his key players did not play the full match. Saka was lively after coming on and almost secured all three points for Arsenal when his stoppage-time effort flashed past the post. The Arsenal manager will never publicly give up on the title until it is mathematically over, but this was a key indication that Arteta realises their only realistic trophy hope is the Champions League. Thomas Frank's side secured their Premier League status for a fourth successive season with their draw against Chelsea last week, and reaching that milestone may have played a part in this disappointing game. Brentford pose a threat for any side in the league, but this match lacked jeopardy with both teams struggling to find a spark in attacking areas. Coming into the game the Bees had won five of their previous six games on the road and the match opened up for a short time after Wissa's clever finish. The striker's goal means Brentford have scored in every away game they have played in 2025. There are six games to go, and with Brentford two points off the top half of the table they have the chance to secure their second top-10 finish in the Premier League. Kick off is at 17:30 BST Get Involved: #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

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Barcelona are four points clear of second-placed Real Madrid Leganes sit 19th, two points off safety La Liga leaders Barcelona extended their unbeaten run to 24 games but were far from their best in a narrow victory at relegation-threatened Leganes. They needed an own goal by Jorge Saenz to get over the line - the home defender forced into the error from Raphinha's tantalising cross, with Robert Lewandowski lurking ominously behind him for a tap-in. Leganes, who are two points from safety but won the return fixture between the sides in December, had the better chances in the first half - Adria Altimira forcing a good save from Wojciech Szczesny, and Dani Raba twice going close. Hansi Flick's visitors seemed to gain some control after going ahead, Fermin Lopez inexplicably shooting wide after some fine skill in a tight penalty area, but they had to ride their luck with Raba having a goal chalked off for offside and substitute Diego Garcia sliding wide when well-placed to score. The win extends Barcelona's lead at the top to seven points, before arch-rivals Real Madrid's trip to struggling Alaves on Sunday (15:15 BST). Barca made only two changes from the side that beat Borussia Dortmund 4-0 in their Champions League quarter-final first leg on Wednesday, but it was still a disjointed display despite it being an eighth away win in a row in all competitions. They were dealt a blow in the first half with influential left-back Alejandro Balde forced off with an injury, and could easily have conceded at least once on another day. Poland striker Lewandowski came close to his 100th Barcelona goal, glancing wide from another delicious Raphinha delivery, while Leganes centre-back Saenz almost suffered the ignominy of a second own goal - deflecting a cross just past the post. Manager Flick's side next head to Germany for their Champions League last-eight second-leg tie on Tuesday.

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