Let’s get to the big movers and shakers today, then. Here are the highlights.
Championship: Norwich recorded their fourth draw on the spin but remain three points clear of Sheffield United, who won comfortably at Hull City. Derby capitalised on defeats for Middlesbrough and Bristol City by scoring two injury-time goals in a 2-0 victory over QPR – Frank Lampard’s side leap from eighth into sixth and a play-off berth. Down the bottom, things started so brightly for Rotherham at home to Birmingham, taking a 1-0 lead, but they limped to a 3-1 defeat and must make up at least three points in their final two matches against West Brom and Boro.
League One: Barnsley romped to a 3-0 win at Plymouth, and climb into second. Sunderland conceded a late equaliser at Peterborough and slip to fourth – you would think they need to beat third-placed Portsmouth on Saturday to stand any chance of automatic promotion now. What a huge game that is. Down the bottom, a big result for Southend lifted them clear of the relegation zone but it’s very tight down there: three points separate five clubs, including the Essex club and Accrington Stanley, Plymouth, Scunthorpe and AFC Wimbledon.
League Two: Lincoln are confirmed as champions, and it’s as you were at the bottom three, with Macclesfield, Yeovil and Notts County all drawing. What a chance missed for Yeovil in particular, who were 1-0 up against 10-man Colchester, only to blow their lead.
I’m going for a lie down. For all the Football League results, click here. For all the latest tables, click here. Thanks for your emails and tweets, see you next time. Bye!
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Want more hot Championship action? Join Rob Smyth for Brentford v Leeds. The Yorkshire club need to win to match Sheffield United’s result today at Hull City.
“As a US-based Stoke supporter,” writes Michael Garman, “I regret to inform you that not all EFL matches can be watched on ESPN+. It’s usually only one or two from the Championship a week--whichever ones are on English TV--and just once in a great while Leagues One or Two. No US commentators, either--it’s the same feed as the one you could watch in the UK. Today is the first time since February I’ve watched my Potters. Please print this, if only to call attention to the fact that there are U.S. born and bred Stoke fans.”
Full-time scores in the Football League
Free-kick to QPR on the edge of the area, they could yet ruin Derby’s day! Freeman’s delivery is a poor one, but he gets a second chance to cross … it’s a goalmouth scramble … EVENTUALLY cleared by Derby!
Now they’re on the counter-attack, Derby streaming forward in numbers, and Derby score a second! Harry Wilson gets his second in the 101st minute, tapping in at the far post after Jack Marriott squared it. Derby 2-0 QPR!
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Re Oldham v Mansfield being shown in the US of A …
“It’s an English commentator, but not like NBC,” reports Morgan Dodd. “It appears that ESPN just has a deal and takes the feed. Kind of like how Fox Soccer Match Pass would also allow me to watch Salford vs. Huddersfield Rugby, pitch black there but the afternoon here. Looks like a great atmosphere.”
Lincoln City are champions of League Two!
Lincoln’s title in confirmed with a 0-0 draw with Tranmere. Not the way they would have wanted to get over the line but it’s been a magnificent season for Danny Cowley and co.
GOAL! Derby 1-0 QPR (Wilson 90+4 pen)
What a HUUUUUGE goal this could be in the race for sixth in the Championship. Harry Wilson passes it into the bottom corner, but this was never a penalty. Freeman is adjudged to have brought down Bogle in the box but he won the ball, a terrible decision from the referee. What is does mean is that Derby leapfrog Bristol City and Boro (who both lost today) into sixth place!
Full-time: Stoke City 2-2 Norwich
Norwich can’t get the win, but Stoke were well worth their draw. Both sets of players collapse on the turf at the full-time whistle. Norwich three points clear at the top of the Championship with two games to play.
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GOAL! Rotherham 1-3 Birmingham (Mrabti 90+3)
That’s that for Rotherham, who look destined for relegation now after taking the lead today. They’ve got West Brom and Boro to play in their final two games, and are three points off safety/Millwall.
Full-time: Hull City 0-3 Sheffield United
Chris Wilder’s side do the business. They have held up their end, Leeds kick off in just under half an hour at Brentford.
GOAL! Peterborough 0-1 Sunderland (Power 87)
The delightfully-named Max Power looks like he has scored a late winner for Sunderland! It’s been an awful game, but Power has thumped it home from distance. Thousands of Mackems go wild in the away end, red flares are let off, the works! Sunderland up to third, leapfrogging Portsmouth, who they face on Saturday!
Norwich are pushing hard for a winner at Stoke, it’s still 2-2 there, after Hernandez dragged a left-footed shot wide of the far post. As it stands, the Canaries are three points clear of Sheffield United with two matches left and six points clear of Leeds, who have a game in hand.
“Watching on ESPN+ in the US, and it seems like Oldham and Mansfield Town are both giving more effort and have more crowd support than most PL teams,” emails Morgan Dodd.
Hang on, you can watch Mansfield Town live in the USA? With US commentators?!
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GOAL! Nottingham Forest 3-0 Middlesbrough (Lolley 85)
Boro have been absolutely dreadful today. Normally they keep things tight at the back – just 36 goals conceded in 43 games going into today – but they’ve been ripped apart by Joao Carvalho, Forest’s record signing who has been given a rare start today. As it stands, Boro are still sixth.
GOAL! Yeovil 1-1 Colchester (Eastman 75)
Massive goal at the bottom of League Two and it’s 10-man Colchester who have got the goal to send Yeovil tumbling back into the drop zone. It’s as you were at the start of the day then, with Macclesfield two points clear of Yeovil and Notts County below them. All three teams are drawing today.
Still goalless between Derby and QPR. Frank Lampard’s side would go into sixth with a win today, and Mason Mount has just had an effort tipped onto the post by Joe Lumley – the Chelsea loanee was through on goal and got a very poor connection on his shot.
Charlton are absolutely roasting Scunthorpe at home. Four-nil up, Lyle Taylor the latest to get a goal – he’s been a menace all afternoon for the London side, who sit comfortably in fifth. Scunthorpe drop into the relegation zone in League One with this result.
GOAL! Bury 2-1 Northampton (Mayor 65)
Bury up to second in League Two with that goal! Just one point separates them, Mansfield (losing 3-2 at Oldham), and MK Dons (drawing 1-1 at home to Port Vale).
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GOAL! Stoke City 2-2 Norwich City (Edwards 69)
Stoke hit back immediately! And what a goal this is: the right back absolutely thumps it from the edge of the area, cutting across the ball, his shot flying low into the far corner past Tim Krul. Stoke have been the better side here, but this game could go either way!
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GOAL! Stoke City 1-2 Norwich City (Pukki 66)
It’s been all Stoke this second half – Clucas missed an absolute sitter a couple of minutes ago – but Norwich and Pukki have been ruthless, just as they have been all season. Vrancic, on as a sub, sent a delightful cross into the area from the left, and Pukki got across his man, glacing the ball into the far corner. Norwich regain their five point lead at the top of the Championship.
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GOAL! Rotherham 1-2 Birmingham (Jota 63)
After taking a 1-0 lead, two quick goals for Birmingham City mean that they are not trailing. It was Maghoma who equalised for the Blues and Jota has just put them in front: a calm finish low into the corner after good work down the right wing. Stat attack: Birmingham have not won in 62 away games after falling behind. Today could be the day. Millwall fans will be delighted, Rotherham are fading fast at the bottom.
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GOAL! Nottingham Forest 2-0 Middlesbrough (Milosevic 64)
Things going from bad to worse for Boro, who are clinging on to sixth place in the Championship by their fingernails.
GOAL! Ipswich 0-1 Swansea (Routledge 57)
It doesn’t mean much, with Ipswich down and Swansea in mid-table, but Wayne Routledge continues his good form. The veteran winger is out of contract this summer and is chasing a new deal.
GOAL! Yeovil 1-0 Colchester (Gray 53)
Huge goal at the bottom of League Two – Yeovil climbing out of the League Two relegation zone on goal difference. Gray got the goal and in the ensuing celebration, Dillon Barnes is sent off for Colchester!
To make things even better for Yeovil, relegation rivals Notts County – currently drawing 1-1 with Crawley – have just had a man sent off: Ben Barclay seeing red for a two-footed challenge!
GOAL! MK Dons 1-1 Port Vale (Wheeler 52)
Port Vale’s lead didn’t last long, and just like that, MK Dons are back in the automatic promotion spots in League Two.
GOAL! Blackburn 2-0 Bolton (Armstrong 50)
Bradley Dack is the creator again, turning neatly inside the area and cutting the ball back. It’s a bit of a mess but Adam Armstrong – so good against QPR on Friday – eventually turns the ball home, against his former side.
GOAL! MK Dons 0-1 Port Vale (Conlon 48)
MK Dons tumble out of the automatic promotion spots in League Two with that goal! They are fourth on goal difference, with Bury now third – they are drawing 1-1 with Northampton at present.
GOAL! Stoke City 1-1 Norwich (Williams 47)
Norwich are caught cold, straight after half time. Simple enough, a Stoke corner is delivered to the back post and Ashley Williams rises highest, powering a header past Tim Krul, who could only palm it into the side netting. As we stand then, Sheffield United are just three points behind Norwich, with a better goal difference.
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We’re underway with the second halves, a big 45 minutes ahead.
I’ve also been made aware that in the pre-half-time melee, I credited a Sheffield Wednesday goal to Sheffield United, which is impossible because they are not the same team. I’ve amended but for clarification it’s Hull City 0-3 Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 Bristol City. Phew.
“The Sheffield United goalscorer Lucas João’s name is Luke John in Portuguese,” emails Peter Oh. “Very Easter Monday! Also, I’m somewhat partial to Nottingham Forest so it’s sweet that Lolley has had a pop on the scoresheet. I’ll grab my coat now.”
Do that, ta.
League One and League Two half-time scores
Championship half-time scores
Blackburn 1-0 Bolton
Derby 0-0 QPR
Hull 0-3 Sheffield United
Ipswich 0-0 Swansea
Nottingham Forest 1-0 Middlesbrough
Reading 0-0 West Brom
Rotherham 1-0 Birmingham
Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 Bristol City
Stoke 0-1 Norwich
Wigan 1-0 Preston North End
With both Boro and Bristol City losing, a big opportunity for Derby then, who are still being held 0-0 by QPR at home. We’ll have the half-time scores with you shortly.
GOAL! Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 Bristol City (Lucas João)
Bristol City’s play-off hopes take another hit after the Portuguese João doubles Wednesday’s lead with a cute lob over O’Leary.
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GOAL! Hull City 0-3 Sheffield United (Stevens 42)
Remember what I was saying about Hull not losing at home since November? They are now three down before half time. It’s another peach of a goal from Sheffield United: Baldock floats in an enticing cross to the back post and Stevens comes steaming in from left back, nodding a looping header into the top corner from 12 yards out. He didn’t break stride, Stevens’s second goal in three matches. With both Norwich and Sheffield Untied winning, all the pressure is on Leeds for the late kick off.
GOAL! Nottingham Forest 1-0 Middlesbrough (Lolley 39 pen)
Ryan Shotton should be off for Boro, he is so lucky not to see red for a last-ditch challenge on Ansarifard, who was clean through on goal. It remains 11 v 11 but Joe Lolley makes no mistake from the spot, smashing it down the middle, into the roof of the net. A dent to Boro’s play-off hopes.
Rotherham with a golden chance to double their lead against Birmingham: Ajayi saw a bullet header saved from a corner, and with the goal gaping, Vaulks skews it over!
A quick delve into the National League: Salford City (second), are losing to AFC Fylde (now fourth). That means Leyton Orient would go up as champions if they are able to beat Solihull Moors today.
Two Lancashire derbies to tell you about: Blackburn have taken the lead against already-relegated Bolton, with Ben Brereton scoring his first goal for the club since his £7m move in January. Elsewhere, Blackpool have opened the score against local rivals Fleetwood, former Liverpool man Jay Spearing getting the goal from the penalty spot.
Crawley have equalised against Notts County, who slip back to the bottom of the Football League.
Barnsley are now 3-0 up at Plymouth, so it looks like this race is run already. Barnsley are third, two points clear of Portsmouth and with an ever increasing goal difference. Could be crucial if they get a few more today.
GOAL! Stoke City 0-1 Norwich (Hernandez 24)
Norwich go in front! Hernandez fires a fierce shot towards Jack Butland’s near post. It’s not quite in the corner, but the England keeper can only manage a weak hand and it sneaks in. Butland should have done better, but he did make an excellent save from a Pukki effort only a couple of minutes ago.
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GOAL! Rotherham 1-0 Birmingham (Crooks 22)
I thought Rotherham might do the business today, and so it is proving. A well worked move down the right wing ends with a cut back from the byline, which ricochets into the path of Matt Crooks, who stabs home. The New York Stadium erupts!
GOAL! Hull City 0-2 Sheffield United (McGoldrick 22)
This isn’t half bad either, as McGoldrick gets his and United’s second. It’s his 15th of the season – picking the ball up in midfield and curling a high arching shot over Long into the far corner. An absolute peach. Remarkable that he left Ipswich on a free transfer at the end of last season. They are going down, Sheffield United could well be in the Premier League next season.
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GOAL! Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 Bristol City (Bannan 17)
WHAT. A. GOAL. Barry Bannan picks the ball up 30 yards from goal and pops it into the top corner like it is the easiest thing in the world. Wow. A big blow for Bristol City who are chasing that sixth spot in the Championship.
GOAL! Plymouth 0-1 Barnsley (Woodrow 15)
Barnsley leapfrog Portsmouth back into second place in League One with that goal. Woodrow’s 18th goal of the season, a spectacular strike, beating a defender before burying his finish into the far corner. As it stands, Plymouth are now just two points clear of the drop zone.
GOAL! Wigan 1-0 Preston (Clarke 11)
The easiest of finishes for Leon Clarke, who taps in from two yards in the Lancashire derby. Neither team in danger of going up or down this season this season.
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GOAL! Crawley 0-1 Notts County (Mackail-Smith 9)
County off the bottom of League Two with that goal. A lot of pressure on Sol Campbell’s Macclesfield, who should now have kicked off.
GOAL! Hull City 0-1 Sheffield United (McGoldrick 10)
Free header for McGoldrick at the near post! The Irish striker is completely unmarked and nods John Fleck’s corner into the top corner. Terrible defending, but that could be a huge goal at the top of the Championship.
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Massive game in League One between Peterborough and Sunderland, whose fans have travelled in numbers and have apparently made up a third of the total attendance at the ABAX Stadium. Sir Alex Ferguson is also in attendance.
Huge game coming up for Sunderland on Saturday too, at home to Portsmouth, who lie just above them in third place.
Birmingham have started very strongly at Rotherham, who are desperate for a win at the bottom of the Championship. Rodak has made a smart save down to his right after a quick free kick by Maghoma.
In League Two, Macclesfield’s kick off with Newport County has been delayed by 10 minutes, after protests by fans outside the ground. Macclesfield fans are unhappy with their owner and the way the club is being run. Apparently, there is also a stand closed today.
Peeeeeep! And we’re off!
Aston Villa have beaten Millwall 1-0. Huge result at the bottom and 10th league win on the bounce for Villa, which is a club record.
Sheffield United fans, how ya feelin? With Leeds up in the late kick-off, it’s your chance to take the initiative and move three points ahead with a win at Hull. Hull’s Jarrod Bowen has been one of the best players in the Championship this season, with a remarkable 21 goals from wide areas, but has gone off the boil a little of late – just one goal in his last eight matches. Blades fans will be hoping that run continues today, but Hull’s home form is excellent of late: they haven’t lost at the KC since November.
Here are the teams:
Hull: Long, Kane, McKenzie, De Wijs, Lichaj, Bowen, Batty, Irvine, Grosicki, Pugh, Campbell. Subs: Marshall, Stewart, Evandro, Dicko, Toral, Martin, Ridgewell.
Sheff Utd: Henderson, Cranie, Egan, O’Connell, Baldock, Duffy, Norwood, Fleck, Stevens, Hogan, McGoldrick. Subs: Basham, Lundstram, Dowell, Madine, Stearman, Moore, Washington.
Referee: Graham Scott (Oxfordshire)
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Stoke v Norwich team news
Stoke: Butland, Edwards, Shawcross, Batth, Williams, Etebo, Allen, Clucas, McClean, Afobe, Verlinden. Subs: Ince, Vokes, Adam, Diouf, Krkic, Federici, Collins.
Norwich: Krul, Aarons, Zimmermann, Godfrey, Lewis, McLean, Trybull, Emi, Stiepermann, Hernandez, Pukki. Subs: Vrancic, Rhodes, Klose, Hanley, McGovern, Cantwell, Leitner.
Referee: Tony Harrington (Cleveland)
Daniel Farke has been talking before the game, talking about the return of Emiliano Buendía, who returns after a three match ban. Norwich have failed to win a match in his absence, three draws on the bounce going into today’s game at Stoke.
Thank god he’s back. He was crucial in the weeks before.
Thirty games kicking off at 3pm in the Football League, and I’ll try and squeeze and much in as I can. Please do send in your emails and tweets to either michael.butler@theguardian.com and @michaelbutler18.
Preamble
A football match. Two days rest. Another football match. There are some hangovers that last longer than the time our beloved Football League players have been given in between their Easter fixtures, and as the season’s end nears, there are some tired limbs, maybe some tired minds too.
Onwards. Some are so close to their goal. In the Championship, Norwich could wrap up the title today, if they can win at Stoke and either Sheffield or Leeds United fail to win their respective games at Hull and Brentford.
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norwich | 43 | 34 | 87 |
| 2 | Sheff Utd | 43 | 32 | 82 |
| 3 | Leeds | 43 | 26 | 82 |
| 4 | West Brom | 43 | 26 | 76 |
| 5 | Aston Villa | 44 | 22 | 75 |
With fourth and fifth sewn up between Villa and West Brom, the battle for sixth is most definitely on, with any of three clubs realistically still in the hunt. Boro (at Forest today) have a one point advantage over Bristol City (at Sheffield Wednesday) but have played a game more than the West Country team and Derby (at home to QPR) who lie a further two points back.
Down the bottom, Rotherham have a real chance to pull themselves level with a win at home to 21st-placed Millwall, who are losing to Villa in the early kick off. It’s Rotherham’s home form that has kept them afloat and with their final two matches against West Brom and Middlesbrough, they desperately need to beat Birmingham today.
In League One, Luton (90pts) could secure promotion from the third tier with victory over Wimbledon on Tuesday. Portsmouth have beaten Coventry 2-1 in the early kick off, a result that lifts them to second before the 3pm kick offs. Both Barnsley (at Plymouth) and Sunderland (at Peterborough) could usurp Pompey come the afternoon’s end. Charlton are heading for the play-offs with Doncaster (69pts) and Peterborough (65pts, game in hand) battling to join them.
At the bottom, Bradford City are down but above them there is an almighty scramble to avoid the drop. Walsall, Southend and Wimbledon are in the drop zone but Accrington, Wycombe, Rochdale, Plymouth and Scunthorpe are all still within four points of danger.
In League Two, Mansfield (76pts), MK Dons (75) and Bury (74) are battling for the other two automatic places. Tranmere (71pts) and Forest Green (70) still have an outside chance at the top three, with Exeter (65) leading a crowded race for the last play-off spot. Carlisle, Colchester, Stevenage, Newport, Swindon and Oldham can all still sneak in.
Two from Macclesfield (39pts), Yeovil (37) and Notts County (37) will go down. On the final day, Macclesfield host Cambridge, Yeovil face Carlisle and Notts County go to Swindon.
So, a lot to get through this afternoon. Don’t feel guilty about spending another glorious afternoon glued to a screen, ignoring your friends and family. Football is very, very important.
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