Hull City’s promotion push stalled as a 0-0 home draw with Watford kept Hull four points behind the Championship’s automatic promotion places. Watford created the better openings despite arriving without
a manager, while Hull rarely troubled the visitors’ defence. The result leaves Hull unable to close in on leaders Coventry City and second-placed Middlesbrough in the race for the Premier League.
The stalemate also shapes the wider Championship picture. Hull now sit three points ahead of fourth-placed Ipswich Town, who still hold a game in hand after their fixture at Portsmouth was called off because of a waterlogged pitch. Watford, meanwhile, stay eighth, three points adrift of the play-off spots after another mixed night for the Hornets.
Across the division, Blackburn Rovers enjoyed a crucial 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday which moved Blackburn out of the relegation zone on goal difference. West Brom slipped into the bottom three as a result of that victory. Sheffield United also strengthened their position with a 3-1 success against Oxford United, leaving Oxford still stuck in the drop zone.
Hull entered the match knowing a win would bring Hull within two points of both Coventry City and Middlesbrough. Instead, Hull required several key interventions from goalkeeper Ivor Pandur to avoid defeat. Watford, handled by interim staff after Javi Gracia ended a second spell at the club on Sunday, looked more dangerous throughout long spells.
Watford’s attacking threat showed early when Giorgi Chakvetadze drew a strong save from Pandur during the first half. At the opposite end, Egil Selvik denied Charlie Hughes with one of Hull’s few clear efforts. Watford kept pushing after the break, with Imran Louza twice going close as the visitors controlled possession and territory for large periods.
The numbers underlined Watford’s superiority on the night. Watford recorded 16 shots compared with Hull’s six and also led the expected goals measure, 0.93 to 0.3. Yet Watford failed to find a finish that matched the approach play. Hull, who struggled for fluency, held on for a point that helps little in the promotion chase.
Blackburn’s evening at Ewood Park carried heavy importance near the bottom. Blackburn, playing under caretaker guidance after Valerien Ismael’s departure on Monday, took the lead after 12 minutes when Eiran Cashin scored a first goal for the club. The early strike settled Blackburn initially, but the second half became increasingly tense as Sheffield Wednesday pressed for an equaliser.
Sheffield Wednesday’s goalkeeper Murphy Cooper produced several important saves to keep the visitors competitive. Sheffield Wednesday then came close to levelling when Jamal Lowe’s header was cleared off the line and bounced against the crossbar in the same move. Despite that scare, Blackburn held firm, collecting three points that altered the relegation battle and dragged West Brom into the bottom three.
Sheffield Wednesday’s city rivals Sheffield United enjoyed a more comfortable evening against Oxford United. Andre Brooks continued a strong scoring run, while Sydie Peck and Chiedozie Ogbene also found the net in a 3-1 success. Oxford, who remain locked in the relegation places, managed a response but lacked the quality to unsettle Sheffield United for long periods.
Wins for @Rovers and @SheffieldUnited - as the points are shared at the MKM!#EFL | #SkyBetChampionship pic.twitter.com/Ihq6u72OF1Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) February 3, 2026
Championship data debrief for Blackburn Rovers and midweek form
The win carried extra significance for Blackburn given recent midweek struggles at home. Before facing Sheffield Wednesday, Blackburn had managed only one victory in 13 midweek league matches at Ewood Park, with six draws and six defeats. Blackburn were also winless in eight such fixtures since January 2025, but this narrow success over the Championship’s bottom side finally ended that run.
Across the promotion and relegation races, the evening’s results tightened several battles without changing any leading positions. Hull missed a prime chance to close on Coventry City and Middlesbrough, Watford stayed just outside the top six, while Blackburn, Sheffield Wednesday, Oxford United and West Brom all remained deeply involved in the fight to avoid dropping out of the Championship.
