This weekend’s EFL review didn’t disappoint across the Championship, League One and League Two. TIBS News looks back on the fixtures.
Championship
Swansea retained bragging rights in the South Wales derby as they emerged 4-0 winners at bitter rivals Cardiff. Goals from Ben Cabango and Hannes Wolf along with a brace from Michael Obafemi meant that Swansea completed a league double over Cardiff for the first-time ever. Swansea are now looking up the table and could surprise a few people next season if they continue this form.
Bournemouth produced a comeback to see off Bristol City in their 3-2 win. Robert Atkinson had put City ahead before Dominic Solanke, Lewis Cook and Siriki Dembele turned the game around. Despite a late Andreas Weimann strike to unsettle the home fans, Bournemouth held on to get one step closer to promotion.
Sheffield United’s John Egan dented hopes of a play-off place for his side as he gifted Stoke all three points in their clash on Saturday. Both sides had struggled to create anything offensively before Joshua Tymon’s cross was put past a helpless Wes Foderingham by Egan. The win saw Stoke move up to 13th as they recorded consecutive league wins for the first time since November.
League One
MK Dons narrowed the gap from third to first to just one point after recording a 2-0 win over Shrewsbury. Mo Eisa and Scott Twine put the Salops to the sword, with the latter recording his 15th goal of the season. With both Wigan and Rotherham on 80 points, albeit with games in hand, the Dons have blown the promotion race wide open.
Fleetwood earned a huge three points at the bottom of the table when they beat Crewe 3-1 away from home. Harvey Macadam, Anthony Pilkington and Ellis Harrison all scored to make Chris Long’s goal nothing more than a consolation. Fleetwood moved two points clear of the drop zone and have a game in hand as things start to turn around for the Cod army.
Morecambe scored three in quick succession to blast Burton away and boost their chances of escaping relegation. Arthur Gnahoua, Adam Phillips and Cole Stockton scored around half-time to secure a memorable win that takes them just two points from safety. Burton’s day was made even worse when defender Conor Shaughnessy was sent off for a bad challenge in a game they will want to quickly forget.
League Two
Oldham saw off relegation rivals Stevenage to earn what could be the biggest three points of the entire weekend in the EFL. Jamie Hopcutt headed Oldham in front after 16 minutes and the Latics withstood a heavy barrage of Stevenage attacks but stood firm to get the win. Stevenage fell into the drop zone as a result of the loss and are now three points from safety with a much worse goal difference.
Tranmere ended their 2-2 draw with nine men and conceding a 97th-minute equaliser in an incredible game at Prenton Park. Tranmere’s Kane Hemmings and Elliott Nevitt had scored either side of Omari Patrick’s goal to put the home side 2-1 up. Calum McDonald was sent off in the first half for Tranmere before Kieron Morris was also dismissed in the 91st minute, allowing Carlisle’s Tobi Sho-Silva to snatch a draw at the death.
Phil Brown continues to look for his first points as Barrow boss after a Port Vale comeback saw Barrow lose 2-1. Josh Kay had put the home side ahead before Jamie Proctor equalised in the second half. Aaron Martin then tapped home in the last minute of normal time to break Barrow’s stubborn barrier and send his side into third place.
By Joshua Stewart
