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Showing posts with the label Championship

Grimsby boost play-off hopes

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Colchester United 1 - 2 Grimsby Town Evan Khouri played a decisive role as Grimsby secured a vital victory in their play-off push, scoring one goal and setting up another in a hard-fought win at Colchester. Author - Josh T Stadium - JobServe Community Stadium The Mariners had an early chance when Khouri dragged a shot wide from Luca Barringtonā€™s pass, but they broke the deadlock just seconds into the second half. Khouriā€™s delivery from the byline found Kieran Green, who bundled the ball home from close range. Colchester hit back in the 51st minute through former Grimsby loanee Owura Edwards. Collecting Jack Payneā€™s pass on the edge of the box, Edwards fired a crisp left-footed strike in off the far post. Grimsby goalkeeper Jordan Wright produced a fine save to tip over Arthur Readā€™s powerful long-range effort, while at the other end, Matt Macey reacted well to keep out Harvey Rodgersā€™ first-time strike as both sides pressed for a winner. READ MORE:  EFL: 2024/2025 READ MORE:...

Sheffield United produce best display of the season

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Sheffield United 3 - 1 Coventry City Sheffield United delivered one of their most impressive performances of the season, outclassing Frank Lampardā€™s Coventry City at Bramall Lane to reclaim top spot in the Championship. Author - Tom Parker Stadium - Bramall Lane Former Coventry midfielder Gus Hamer opened the scoring with a superb free-kick, before top scorer Tyrese Campbell doubled the lead before half-time, netting his 11th goal of the season. Rhian Brewster, fresh from his match-winning goal in the Steel City derby before the international break, sealed the victory with a composed finish in the second halfā€”his first goal at Bramall Lane since January 2022. Coventryā€™s miserable evening was softened slightly by a late consolation from substitute Jack Rudoni, who scrambled the ball home from close range. The result puts the Blades three points ahead of Leeds United, although Daniel Farkeā€™s side could reclaim top spot with a win at home to Swansea City on Saturday. Burnley, in third...

Sheffield United win on derby day

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Sheffield Wednesday 0 - 1 Sheffield United Rhian Brewsterā€™s goal secured a derby win for Sheffield United over Sheffield Wednesday, drawing the Blades level on points with Championship leaders Leeds. Author - Phil Flanagan Stadium - Hillsborough The win also sealed Unitedā€™s first league double over their city rivals since the 2005-06 season and delivered a blow to the Owls' play-off hopes. The match was tense, with both sides desperate for points to strengthen their promotion bids. United keeper Michael Cooper made a crucial first-half save to deny Michael Smith, while a vital block from Harrison Burrows prevented Josh Windass from putting Wednesday ahead after the break. The defeat leaves Wednesday six points adrift of the play-off spots with eight games remaining, despite their recent resurgence with back-to-back away wins. Home form has been a major issue for Wednesday all season. They have the second-worst record in the division at Hillsborough, while United have been the C...

Burnley extend unbeaten run with comfortable win

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Swansea City 0 - 2 Burnley Burnley climbed into the Championshipā€™s top two with a commanding victory over Swansea City, extending their remarkable unbeaten league run to 25 games. Author - Jack L Stadium - Swansea.com Stadium The Clarets were in control from the off, capitalising on an early mistake from Josh Key, whose slip gifted Josh Brownhill a simple finish from close range. Jaidon Anthony doubled the lead midway through the first half, smashing the ball high into the net after Swansea failed to clear their lines. Scott Parkerā€™s side never looked in danger of surrendering their lead and set a new second-tier record in the process, registering their 27th league clean sheet of the season. The win lifts Burnley to second, a point ahead of Sheffield United, who take on Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday. Meanwhile, Swansea remain 16th after back-to-back defeats, with the gap to the relegation zone now down to six points with eight games left to play. Burnley cruise past Swansea as Shee...

Bristol City edge out Norwich to boost top six hopes

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Bristol City 2 - 1 Norwich City  Bristol City climbed into the Championship play-off places with a hard-fought win over Norwich City, whose promotion hopes are fading fast. Author - Liam Smith Mark Sykes put the Robins ahead with a composed finish early on, before Nahki Wells doubled their lead after capitalising on a defensive error from the visitors. Borja Sainz, who had already hit the post and missed a golden opportunity in the first half, pulled one back late on to set up a tense finale at Ashton Gate. The win moves Bristol City up to fifth, leapfrogging Coventry and West Brom, who both play on Saturday. Norwich, meanwhile, remain winless in four and sit seven points off the top six, having played a game more than their play-off rivals. Click here for more EFL news and stories Fast start sets the tone A pre-match light show may not have gone down well with the home fans, but Cityā€™s start certainly did. Norwich had the first meaningful spell of possession, but Rob Dickie st...

Leeds United's unbeaten run ends with defeat at Portsmouth

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Portsmouth 1 - 0 Leeds United Leeds United's 17-game unbeaten run in the Championship came to an end as Colby Bishop's second-half strike secured a narrow victory for Portsmouth at Fratton Park. Author - Oliver W Stadium - Fratton Park Bishop netted his sixth goal of the season with a delicate finish over Illan Meslier just after the hour mark, delivering a significant boost to Pompey's fight for survival. Leeds, who remain top of the table on goal difference ahead of Sheffield United, were left to rue a series of missed opportunities. Portsmouth goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid produced a string of outstanding saves, including a brilliant stop deep into stoppage time to deny Sam Byramā€™s powerful header. The result leaves John Mousinhoā€™s side 17th in the table but with a 10-point cushion above the relegation zone, while Leeds will be frustrated at their failure to capitalise on their dominance. A closer look at what happened Pompey fans created a fantastic atmosphere Both ...

Sunderland revive automatic promotion hopes

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Sunderland 1 - 2 Sheffield Wednesday Sunderland reignited automatic promotion chances with a crucial win at Sheffield Wednesday, thanks to a brace from Eliezer Mayenda. Author - Peter Grainger Stadium - Hillsborough After back-to-back defeats against Leeds United and Hull City, the Black Cats desperately needed three points. They took the lead in controversial fashion during the first half, as Mayenda appeared to control the ball with his arm before slotting home. Wednesday hit back early in the second half through Callum Patersonā€™s header, but 19-year-old Spanish forward Mayenda, starting in place of top scorer Wilson Isidor, nodded in the winner to secure a vital victory. Sunderland remain fourth in the Championship, five points behind second-placed Sheffield United, though they have played a game more. For Sheffield Wednesday, it was a third consecutive defeat, leaving them 13th in the table, six points adrift of the play-off spots. Their hopes of breaking into the top six are n...

Another late winner for Leeds United

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Sheffield United 1 - 3 Leeds United Leeds United produced a remarkable late comeback for the second game in a row to win at Sheffield United and move five points clear at the top of the Championship. Author - Oliver W Stadium - Bramall Lane The away side took the lead in the first half when Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier palmed the ball into his own net after tipping Callum O'Hare's header on to the bar and then seeing Tyrese Campbell's follow-up hit the post. Leeds were much improved after the break and deservedly levelled when Junior Firpo's thumping header from Dan James' cross flew past Michael Cooper in the home goal. EFL: 2024/2025 Ao Tanaka managed to head Leeds into the lead in the 89th minute after Firpo had flicked on a corner. There was more drama to come. With the Blades still stunned, Joel Piroe thumped home a superb third from 20 yards moments later. Leeds are on a great run and are now unbeaten in 16 Championship games. They are seven points clear...

Are Luton Town destined for another relegation?

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 Watford 2 - 0 Luton Town Watford put an end to a miserable run of five straight home defeats with a convincing win over struggling Luton Town in the M1 derby at Vicarage Road. Author - Jack L Stadium - Vicarage Road Tom Dele-Bashiru opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Mamadou Doumbia was brought down, before Edo Kayembe doubled the lead with a simple tap-in. Luton, who had won just once in their last 26 away games across two seasons , failed to register a single meaningful shot on target in the first half. Manager Matt Bloomfield is still searching for his first victory since taking charge in mid-January. Despite a winter transfer window overhaul, his squad remains a work in progress, with some players still adjusting to English football and others making the step up from League One, just as Bloomfield himself has. He had hoped for a quick turnaround, but that has yet to materialise. The win lifts Watford to ninth in the Championship, just three points off the play...

A perfect Friday night for Burnley

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Burnley 4 - 0 Sheffield Wednesday Burnley made it 12 straight league clean sheets in a row and went two points behind second-placed Sheffield United. However, this wasn't as straightforward as the scoreline suggests. Author - Jack L Stadium - Turf Moor Wednesday have now conceded 16 without reply against teams in the top five this season and will wonder how they didn't go ahead during a dominant display. This was obviously before Marcus Edwards' 43rd-minute opener.  The away side had several good chances to make it 1-1 before Josh Brownhill and Connor Roberts struck from Jaidon Anthony's crosses. In the final moments of the game, Manuel Benson struck a goal-of-the-season contender with his weaker right foot from outside the box to compound the visitors' misery. Burnley extend their unbeaten league run to 21 games in style and are really dreaming of promotion and a return to the Premier League. A closer look at what happened Marcus Edwards was handed his firs...

Head coach leaves Swansea

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Luke Williams has departed Swansea City after an awful run of form that saw them lose seven of their last nine matches. Williams leaves after just over a year in charge, with the Swans sitting 17th in the table, eight points clear of the relegation zone with 13 games remaining. His departure is accompanied by the exits of assistant head coach Ryan Harley and first-team coach analyst George Lawtey. Author - Mark Milward Assistant head coach Alan Sheehan has been placed in temporary charge for a second time, with the club confirming that the search for Williams' successor is "already under way."  Sheehan will be supported by coach Kristian Oā€™Leary and goalkeeping coach Martyn Margetson as Swansea prepare for Saturdayā€™s home clash with Blackburn Rovers. Williams was interviewed after that recent defeat to Stoke A dramatic decline Williamsā€™ exit comes after a dramatic downturn in form since the start of 2025. At the turn of the year, Swansea looked well positioned for a p...

A nightmare start for Derby's new manager

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QPR 4 - 0 Derby County Derby County endured a humbling return to the Championship relegation zone after a crushing defeat at QPR in John Eustaceā€™s first game back in charge. Author - Peter Grainger Stadium - Loftus Road A stunning strike from Ilias Chair set the tone before Koki Saitoā€™s second goal of the season gave the hosts full control by half-time. Chair then doubled his tally from close range, and Ronnie Edwards marked his loan spell from Southampton with a debut goal, heading in QPRā€™s fourth. Jerry Yates thought he had grabbed a late consolation, only for his effort to be ruled out for offside, as Marti Cifuentesā€™ side emphatically ended a run of two successive defeats. Eustaceā€™s nightmare start  The new managee barely had time to settle back into the dugout following his move from Blackburn Rovers, confirmed just a day earlier, before witnessing his sideā€™s frailties exposed. After a quiet opening spell, Derby fell behind to a spectacular long-range effort from Chair...

QPR boost promotion hopes

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QPR 2 - 1 Blackburn Rovers Jack Colback fired home a stunning winner in the 76th minute to lift Queens Park Rangers to within three points of the Championship play-off spots with a hard-fought victory over Blackburn Rovers. Author - Craig H Stadium - Loftus Road QPR v Blackburn highlights - www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE1I... eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com/p/efl-202420... [image or embed] ā€” European Super Football ( @superfootball.bsky.social ) 5 February 2025 at 20:50 In a pulsating, end-to-end contest, substitute Colback struck first-time from the edge of the box to seal Rangers' first points in three games, continuing their resurgence since December. QPR had taken the lead early on when Ilias Chairā€™s inviting free-kick was glanced in by Michael Frey, netting his seventh goal of the season. Blackburn, however, responded strongly after the break, with Tyrhys Dolan levelling from the penalty spot eight minutes into the second half following a foul by Koki Saito on Callum Brittain....

Burnley and Leeds show defensive strength

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Burnley 0 - 0 Leeds United Burnley secured their 20th clean sheet of the season with a lacklustre goalless draw against Championship leaders Leeds in tough conditions in east Lancashire. Author - Oliver W Stadium - Turf Moor View from the crowd. Thanks to our friends at GMCR Football for the picture. Both sides struggled to carve out clear chances, and it wasnā€™t until the 89th minute that either goalkeeper was tested, with Burnleyā€™s James Trafford tipping Dan Jamesā€™ effort over the bar. Scott Parkerā€™s Clarets, sitting third in the table, have now gone over 10 hours without conceding a league goal ā€“ a defensive run stretching back to 21 December. Yet, in this rain-soaked contest, their attack lacked the same resilience, with Zian Flemmingā€™s misjudged header from Jaidon Anthonyā€™s first-half cross their only real opportunity. The draw keeps Leeds two points clear at the top of the table, extending their unbeaten run to 11 matches, while second-placed Sheffield United remain in pursuit...

Jonjo Shelvey moves to Burnley

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Will the former Liverpool player make a difference to Burnley? Burnley have secured the services of former Newcastle United and England midfielder Jonjo Shelvey on a deal running until the end of the season. Author - Jack L Shelvey playing for Newcastle United back in 2016 The 32-year-old joins as a free agent after his contract with Turkish Super Lig side Eyupspor came to an end. A five-cap England international, Shelvey also had a stint in Turkey with Caykur Rizespor. He arrives at Turf Moor after spending time on trial with the Championship club earlier this month. EFL: 2024/2025 Shelvey began his career in Charlton Athleticā€™s academy before moving to Liverpool, where he made 65 appearances. He left Liverpool in the summer of 2013 to sign for Swansea City, where he went on to play all but six games in the top-flight during his first season in South Wales. After three years with Swansea, scoring 10 goals in just under 100 appearances and gaining an additional five England caps, S...

Shenfield United boost promotion chances

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Sheffield United 2 - 0 Norwich City Harrison Burrows scored twice to propel Sheffield United back to the top of the Championship table following a commanding 2-0 win over Norwich City at Bramall Lane. Author - Craig H The Blades took the lead midway through the first half when Burrows pounced on a loose clearance, chesting the ball down before unleashing a powerful shot that ricocheted off both posts and into the net. The 23-year-old later doubled the advantage with a clinical penalty, dispatched into the bottom corner after Sam McCallum was brought down by a clumsy challenge from Ben Chrisene. This win marked Sheffield Unitedā€™s 10th home victory of the season, sending Chris Wilderā€™s side two points clear of Burnley, who drew with Sunderland, and Leeds United, who host Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday. Click here for more news from across the English Football League A closer look at what happened in Sheffield Despite fielding a depleted squad with just 15 fit first-team players, Nor...

Hull and Leeds produce a Championship classic

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Hull City 3 - 3 Leeds United Abu Kamara was the hero as his two goals helped struggling Hull City come from behind and take a point at home to the Championship leaders Leeds United. Author - Jack L After a difficult week for the forward, Kamara opened the scoring before lashing home a late equaliser. Ao Tanaka equalised for Leeds straight after the interval, Dan James converted a Jayden Bogle cut-back and Joel Piroe accepted a gift from home goalkeeper Ivor Pandur to put the visitors in control before some late drama. Joao Pedro gave home fans hope when he touched in with nine minutes to go and the comeback was complete in the 89th minute when Kamara fired home after a corner had been cleared to the edge of the area. With Leeds having won eight of their previous 11 league games and heading the Championship table, few would have expected relegation-threatened Hull to derail the visitors' promotion charge, but Kamara gave them a shock lead inside the opening five minutes. Late eq...

Portsmouth ease to win over Swansea

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Portsmouth 4 - 0 Swansea Portsmouth climbed out of the Championship's bottom three with a commanding victory over Swansea City at a rain-soaked Fratton Park. Author - Jack L Stadium - Fratton Park Josh Murphy's crisp first-time strike put the hosts ahead in the 22nd minute, and Paddy Lane doubled their advantage just seven minutes later, capitalising on defensive uncertainty. Swansea briefly looked like mounting a second-half comeback, with Josh Tymon rattling the woodwork, but Ryley Towlerā€™s well-placed header eased any nerves for Portsmouth. A costly error by Cyrus Christie then allowed Colby Bishop to seal a resounding win. While John Mousinhoā€™s side have struggled away from home this season, their improved form at Fratton Park has reinvigorated their fight to avoid a swift return to League One. Pompey have now claimed 13 points from their last five home games, scoring 14 goals in the process. For Swansea, it was a torrid afternoon as defensive lapses contributed to t...

Late equaliser denies Leeds at Elland Road

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Leeds United 1 - 1 Blackburn Rovers Danny Batth's injury-time strike salvaged a dramatic point for Blackburn Rovers, cancelling out Pascal Struijkā€™s late penalty in a gripping finale that left Leeds United frustrated at Elland Road. Author - Jamie P Struijk had calmly slotted home from the spot after substitute Mateo Joseph was deemed to have been brought down by Dominic Hyam, in what looked set to be the winner in a game otherwise short on clear chances. But just two minutes later, Batth pounced on a flicked Hyam header at the back post to steer the ball home, denying Leeds a 10th straight home league victory and keeping Blackburnā€™s promotion hopes alive. The result means Leeds maintain a three-point cushion at the top of the Championship but missed the chance to extend their lead further over Sheffield United, who lost to Sunderland. The home side almost snatched all three points deep into 11 minutes of stoppage time, only for Blackburn keeper Aynsley Pears to produce a stunn...

Sunderland show promotion credentials

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Sunderland 2 - 1 Sheffield United Sunderland kept their push for automatic promotion alive with an entertaining victory over third-placed Sheffield United, who are now winless in three matches. Author - Ajay  The visitors squandered a golden opportunity to take the lead when Kieffer Mooreā€™s poorly struck penalty was saved by Anthony Patterson in the Sunderland goal. Eliezer Mayenda then capitalised on a defensive mix-up to put the Black Cats ahead, but Luke Oā€™Nienā€™sown goal levelled the scores. However, Wilson Isidorā€™s composed finish ensured Sunderland went into half-time in front after a chaotic opening 45 minutes. Sheffield United dominated possession after the break but couldnā€™t find an equaliser, with Rhian Brewster firing wide and Sunderland surviving a late scramble in their box. The result sees Sunderland remain fourth in the table and they are now just two points behind second-placed Burnley. Meanwhile, Sheffield United, who were three points clear at the top at Christ...