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Showing posts with the label EFL

Birmingham City promoted to the Championship

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Peterborough United 1 - 2 Birmingham City  Birmingham City have secured an immediate return to the Championship, wrapping up promotion from League One with six matches still to play following a hard-fought win away at Peterborough. Author - Craig H Stadium - London Road Alfie May gave the visitors the lead, nodding in from a fine Taylor Gardner-Hickman cross, only for Kwame Poku to level the score just three minutes later with a powerful strike from the edge of the box after a corner wasn't properly cleared. Gardner-Hickman had the final word before the break, drilling home what proved to be the winner after latching onto Marc Leonardā€™s pass and finishing smartly beneath Posh keeper Nicholas Bilokapic. It was a result that confirmed the Blues' dominance of the division. Relegated last season and bolstered by significant investment, Birmingham have set the pace throughout the campaign under new manager Chris Davies, who is enjoying a remarkable debut year in the dugout. READ...

Burnley relinquish top spot after draw with Derby

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Derby County 0 - 0 Burnley Burnley relinquished top spot in a drab draw against an ever improving but still relegation-threatened Derby County. Author - Josh T Stadium - Pride Park The Clarets, now second in the table on goal difference after Leeds United's victory against Middlesbrough, started well and went close twice through the outstanding Zian Flemming. But the Rams, who move onto 42 points and remain out of the relegation zone, were resolute in defence and grew in confidence as the visitors faded. Jerry Yates nearly broke the deadlock. His shot was brilliantly saved by Burnley keeper James Trafford. Burnley knew they were definitely in a tense battle at this stage.  A tense and disjointed second period saw very little goalmouth action. Matt Clarke almost won it for the Rams in the second of eight minutes of added time, but he could not leap high enough to nod the ball home from two yards. READ MORE: The race to the Premier League and the fight to avoid relegation to Leag...

Millenic All rescues Luton Town

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Stoke City 1 - 1 Luton Town Millenic Alli came off the bench to salvage a precious point for Luton Town with a dramatic injury-time equaliser at Stoke City, breathing fresh life into their Championship survival hopes. Author - Thomas J Lewis Baker had earlier looked to have secured all three points for Stoke when his deflected free-kick beat Thomas Kaminski in the 74th minute, but Luton refused to go quietly. Alli found space at the far post in the first minute of stoppage time and fired home, extending the Hattersā€™ unbeaten run to five matches. Matt Bloomfieldā€™s side remain in trouble, two points from safety with just five games to play, and four behind Mark Robinsā€™ Stoke, who sit 20th. The first half was largely forgettable, with Sam Gallagherā€™s header and a volley from Theo Aasgaard offering the only real moments of note. The tempo picked up after the break, sparked by a hefty challenge from Carlton Morris on Stoke defender Ashley Phillips which riled the home crowd and added so...

Birmingham City on verge of promotion

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Birmingham City 6 - 2 Barnsley Alfie May inspired runaway leaders Birmingham to a huge win against Barnsley at St Andrew's. Author - Peter Grainger Stadium - St Andrew's Mael De Gevigney was given a red in just the third minute after a coming-together with Keshi Anderson. This would prove to be an almost pivotal moment.  Former Fulham player Jay Stansfield fired Blues ahead from the penalty spot in the 32nd minute after Keshi Anderson was taken out by Kieren Flavell. Despite having one less player, Davis Keillor-Dunn headed Barnsley level in the 35th minute after a near-post cross was headed back across the box. A quickfire brace from May at the start of the second half had Blues 3-1 up by the 55th minute. Surely, there wasn't going to be more drama.  Barnsley still tried to make a game of it They pulled one back through Stephen Humphrys, whose effort at the near post snuck past Allsop. They couldn't get back into the game could they?  The answer was no, they co...

Birmingham move closer to promotion

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Birmingham City 4 - 1 Shrewsbury Town Runaway leaders Birmingham City edged a step closer to automatic promotion with a comfortable win in Michael Appleton's first game in charge of Shrewsbury Town. Author - Craig H Stadium - St Andrew's Stadium With nine games left, Chris Davies's EFL Trophy finalists are now within four wins of promotion - nine points clear of second-placed Wrexham and 12 better off than third-placed Wycombe Wanderers. It was one-way traffic from start to finish as Keshi Anderson rifled an angled half-volley a foot over the bar before top scorer Jay Stansfield's rising shot was saved by goalkeeper Jamal Blackman in a one-on-one. Willum Willumsson curled off target before Kieran Dowell blazed over after Anderson found Willumsson, then cleverly dummied the return. Ben Davies finally gave Blues a deserved lead in the 27th minute, sliding home Dowell's curling free-kick unmarked from six yards for his first goal for the club. READ MORE:  EFL: 2024...

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...

Northampton fail to move clear of relegation zone

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Northampton Town 0 - 2 Blackpool Northampton Town missed an opportunity to pull further away from the League One relegation battle after falling to a home defeat against Blackpool. Author -  Greg S Stadium - Sixfields Stadium Goals from Ashley Fletcher , his fifth in eight games, and Niall Ennis secured a deserved win for the visitors, leaving the Cobblers six points clear of the drop zone in 19th place. Blackpool carried the greater threat throughout the first half, with Sonny Carey spurning an early chance when he found space in the box but could only fire into the side-netting. Their pressure paid off after 20 minutes as Rob Apter beat his man down the right and delivered a pinpoint cross for Fletcher to head home. Northampton struggled to respond, with Sam Hoskins and Tyler Roberts both failing to trouble the goalkeeper from distance. Genuine chances were few and far between for the hosts, who went into the break on the back foot. The Cobblers had some brief hope early ...

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...