Eight-goal thrillers, shock wins, and a game called off by a sudden downpour. The EFL has it all once again this weekend.
Let’s have a look at all the drama...
With the top two on FA Cup duty this weekend, Middlesbrough had the chance to move closer to an automatic promotion place. Michael Carrick’s side enjoyed a 4-0 win at home to Preston North End with goals from Chuba Akpom (of course), a brace from Cameron Archer, and a late goal from Marcus Forss. That result moves Boro within three points of Sheffield United.
Perhaps the most surprising Championship result came at The New Den where Neil Warnock’s Huddersfield Town stunned Millwall with Danny Ward scoring a 67th-minute winner.
Just outside of the play-off places are Norwich City who were held on the road by Stoke City while just behind them now are Coventry City who enjoyed a 4-1 win at Bloomfield Road. Meanwhile, Watford were held at home to bottom-of-the-league Wigan Athletic.
All those games managed to finish, except one – Rotherham United’s game against Cardiff City was abandoned early into the second half after heavy rain made the pitch unplayable.
Today's #SkyBetChampionship results!#EFL | @CazooUK pic.twitter.com/irTTvi09iZ
— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) March 18, 2023
After Sheffield Wednesday were held at home to Bolton Wanderers on Friday night, Plymouth Argyle and Ipswich Town both took the chance to move closer to the league leaders.
Argyle had no problems at home to struggling Forest Green Rovers in a 2-0 win, while the Tractor Boys also won 2-0 in their game at home to Shrewsbury Town.
However, Argyle and Ipswich will also need to worry about Barnsley who are making a late charge. The Tykes went to Wycombe in their game and returned home with three points after an 85th-minute winner from Slobodan Tedic.
Fifth-placed Derby County had been just behind Barnsley but now drift further away with the Rams' defeat at home by Fleetwood Town.
At the bottom of the table, MK Dons are out of the drop zone at Accrington Stanley’s expense. The two sides clashed in Lancashire with the Dons emerging victorious thanks to Sullay Kaikai’s early goal.
All the scores in #SkyBetLeagueOne this afternoon!#EFL | @CazooUK pic.twitter.com/E7LbtUtVC0
— Sky Bet League One (@SkyBetLeagueOne) March 18, 2023
The big game of the day in League Two saw second-place Stevenage travel to third-place Carlisle United. The match ended goalless though which has allowed Northampton Town to move into the automatic promotion places after the Cobblers defeated Crewe Alexandra with a Louis Appéré goal.
League leaders Leyton Orient were also in action and were 2-0 up at home to Colchester United. That was until the 89th minute when Connor Hall pulled one back for the visitors before Noah Chivers scored a stoppage-time equaliser. Orient have now drawn their last three games.
If you haven’t already, we recommend reading our interview with Salford City’s Elliot Watt – the midfielder played today in his side’s 3-1 win at home to Doncaster Rovers.
The sides at the bottom of League Two all had good showings today. We already mentioned Colchester’s dramatic comeback but Hartlepool United also earned a point against Bradford City, Harrogate Town managed a win at home to Barrow, and Crawley Town got three important points against Wimbledon.
But the game of the day has to be Rochdale’s 4-4 draw at home to Swindon Town. Charlie Austin scored all four goals for the visitors and looked like he had given his side the win in the 79th minute when he made it 4-3. Rochdale fought back though with Ian Henderson equalising in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
A breathless afternoon in #SkyBetLeagueTwo!#EFL | @CazooUK pic.twitter.com/Ei4l9ZM1fn
— Sky Bet League Two (@SkyBetLeagueTwo) March 18, 2023
