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There was no shortage in the second weekend of the EFL season with the Championship in particular serving up goals galore for all to enjoy.
As ever, Playmaker is here to give you all the big stories from ‘the 72’...
There were eight goals from 46 shots at St. Mary’s Stadium as Southampton and Norwich City played out a thrilling draw. We don’t have time to go into all of what was a breathless game but you know when the score is 2-2 after just over 20 minutes that you’re in for a good one.
The game served up a dramatic ending too with Adam Armstrong equalising from the spot in the 97th minute of the game. If this is how Southampton are going to be every week then it’s fantastic to have them back in the second tier.
That result also sums up just how competitive the Championship can be and after two games played only two teams are on six points – both of whom weren’t in the division last season.
Leicester City just about managed a win away to Neil Warnock’s Huddersfield Town with Stephy Mavididi scoring a 77th-minute goal.
But top of the league is Ipswich Town. The newly-promoted team won their second league game of the season at home to Stoke City with Luke Woolfenden and Kayden Jackson both on the scoresheet.
There were five goals between West Bromwich Albion and Swansea City in a game in which the Baggies almost threw away a three-goal lead. Harry Darling and Nathan Wood-Gordon scored two goals in quick succession late into the second half but Michael Duff’s team couldn’t manage a late comeback.
One team that did manage a comeback is Blackburn Rovers. The Lancashire side were 2-0 down to Rotherham United until Fred Onyedinma was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 50th minute.
That allowed Rovers back into it with Sammie Szmodics, who missed an early penalty, finding redemption to pull the score back to 2-2. It will be an annoying result for Millers’ boss Matthew Taylor, especially now that he’s had a player sent off in both of his side’s league games so far.
The biggest surprise of the opening two weekends has been the form of Middlesbrough. Michael Carrick’s team are tipped as one of the promotion favourites this season but after losing 3-0 to Coventry City in Saturday’s early game now find themselves bottom of the league.
FT: Final scores in the #SkyBetChampionship!#EFL pic.twitter.com/qDdkumS5MJ
— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) August 12, 2023
Bolton Wanderers are one of four teams to win all of their games. Just behind them in the league are Cambridge United who enjoyed a 2-0 win on the road against Fleetwood Town.
It’s a similar story for newly-promoted Stevenage who are having a fine start to their campaign. Boro defeated Shrewsbury Town at home with Aaron Pressley opening the scoring before substitute Jamie Reid sealed the points late on.
The only other team to have won both of their games is Peterborough United who earned a victory at home to Charlton Athletic thanks to Hector Kyprianou’s goal.
In the opening weekend, Barnsley were top after putting seven past Port Vale. However, despite scoring in the seventh minute away to Bristol Rovers through Nicky Cadden’s goal they were held to a draw after Scott Sinclair’s 81st-minute equaliser.
Wigan Athletic are still bottom of the table but maybe not for much longer. The Latics have reduced their points deduction to just -2 now after coming from behind to beat Northampton Town.
All today's results in #SkyBetLeagueOne.#EFL pic.twitter.com/ZfQQEkHg3L
— Sky Bet League One (@SkyBetLeagueOne) August 12, 2023
The trio of teams who currently occupy the three automatic promotion places are the only three who have won both games so far. MK Dons are currently top of the lot on goal difference after Mo Eisa’s early goal was enough to dispatch Tranmere Rovers.
Barrow are just behind after coming from behind to defeat Sutton United. The Bluebirds were 1-0 down until Emile Acquah equalised in the 79th minute with Jamie Proctor scoring the winner just three minutes later.
Gillingham round out the top three with their second 1-0 win in a row thanks to Ashley Nadesan’s goal that ensured they took all the points at home to Accrington Stanley.
Checking in with the newly-promoted teams now, Notts County got their first win of the campaign at home to Grimsby Town. The visitors were 1-0 up through Danny Rose after 17 minutes but the Magpies eventually ran out as winners thanks to Dan Crowley’s winner.
Wrexham didn’t manage their first victory but did get their point at least. The Red Dragons had taken the lead away to Wimbledon through Elliot Lee but the Dons pulled it back late on when James Tilley’s 81st-minute penalty levelled the score.
There are currently four teams in the fourth tier without a point on the board: Colchester United, Tranmere, Stockport County, and Doncaster Rovers. It was a particularly difficult day for Doncaster as they were routed 4-0 by Newport County.
All over in #SkyBetLeagueTwo!#EFL pic.twitter.com/4jjG7eiAJ3
— Sky Bet League Two (@SkyBetLeagueTwo) August 12, 2023
