Boxing Day 2025: Wrexham’s stunning comeback steals the show as Coventry march on

Boxing Day 2025 in the Championship delivered eight thrilling goals at Wrexham as the Red Dragons came from 3-1 down to beat Sheffield United 5-3. Coventry extended their lead to 8 points with a narrow victory over Swansea.

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 that encapsulated everything we love about festive football.

While the Premier League offered just a single fixture – Manchester United hosting Newcastle at Old Trafford – the Championship stepped up to carry the torch of English football’s most cherished tradition. And what a day it was.

Wrexham 5-3 Sheffield United: A Boxing Day classic for the ages

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 undisputed 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. The irony wasn’t lost on anyone – least of all Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder.

“It had nothing to do with me but I know what he’d be doing now, and he wouldn’t be wearing a Wrexham shirt. I think it might have changed a few people’s views on him, and the importance of him last season and the importance of him for the home team today.”

— Chris Wilder, Sheffield United manager

Patrick Bamford had looked set to steal the headlines with a well-taken early double for the Blades. The veteran striker, with his short-term contract due to expire on New Year’s Day, put himself firmly in the shop window as he scored either side of a Tyler Bindon own goal. Callum O’Hare added a third from a long throw-in, capitalizing on Moore’s inadvertent flick.

At 3-1, it seemed like Sheffield United had the game wrapped up. But this is the Championship – and this is Wrexham.

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 entirely to Phil Parkinson’s side. Ryan Longman headed in an equalizer seven minutes after the restart, 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 that had the Racecourse Ground bouncing.

“Wow. It’s almost like it feels a bit surreal. Three-one down, and I felt we were playing okay. We just didn’t defend our box as well as we needed to… but I always still felt we were in the game. If we kept playing with the quality we showed, the chances would come. And they did.”

— Phil Parkinson, Wrexham manager

On Moore’s contribution, Parkinson added: “I mean, I think if the delivery’s right, you know, Kieffer’s gonna get on the end of things, and it was a brilliant header. And the second goal was just great football all around.”

Coventry City 1-0 Swansea: Leaders extend their grip at the top

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 – a record that has become the foundation of their title charge.

“I am very happy with the result but I never love the Boxing Day game. I think it can be a bit of a hangover of, you know, food and everyone, the fans and players alike and it kind of levels out the game. And I felt that in the first half. But we got over that hangover.”

— Frank Lampard, Coventry City manager

Lampard acknowledged his side wasn’t at their best: “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. We were not as good today as we usually are off the ball.”

The former Chelsea and England midfielder also hit out at Swansea fans for booing their long-serving former skipper Matt Grimes in his first game against his old club. “I think you almost take him for granted for being outstanding, is the problem – because he plays at such a higher regular level that I don’t think is touched in this league.”

All Boxing Day Championship 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 ninth home win of the season 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 an eight-point cushion over second-placed Ipswich Town and a commanding 13-point lead over the playoff places.

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. The Owls’ 2-2 draw with Hull City did little to ease their plight.

Looking ahead

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 their Wrexham humiliation?

The festive period proves decisive once again in determining which clubs will be celebrating come May. And after a Boxing Day like this, neutral fans couldn’t ask for more entertainment from English football’s second tier.