Welcome back to EFL Round-Up by Last Word on Football. This column delves deep into the world of the Football League, looking at the key games from each of the three divisions as well as providing a brief overview of every result from the Championship, League One and League Two.
This week we look at a five-goal thriller at The Den and how Portsmouth gained top-spot in League One. There’s also a look back at Newport County’s fightback at home to Cambridge plus a review of the rest of the action in the EFL.
EFL Round-Up – Gameweek 10
United Win Den Thriller
Millwall and Sheffield United served up a five-goal thriller for fans at The Den. In a lively first half, the hosts had a goal disallowed before conceding a penalty. United striker Billy Sharp took the resulting spot-kick but Millwall keeper Ben Amos produced a superb save, tipping the ball onto the bar. Sharp made amends by opening the scoring five minutes before half-time. A glancing header gave him his fifth goal of the season.
Millwall fans were not encouraged by their team’s first-half display and hopes of a second win of the season seemed doubtful. However, the Lions had different ideas. Within five minutes of the restart, Millwall were in front. Jake Cooper headed in from a corner on 47 minutes and on 50 minutes they took the lead. A fast break resulted in a through ball to Lee Gregory who fired the ball into the right-hand corner of the goal.
Millwall, backed by their vocal support, were now in control, but it didn’t last long before United began to threaten again. The Blades were creating chances and were awarded another penalty. This time it was David McGoldrick who took the spot-kick and he cooly sent Amos the wrong way to level the scores. United were not going to settle for a point and two minutes before full-time the Blades got the winner. McGoldrick scored his second from three yards out to seal the victory.
The result moved the Blades onto 19 points, just one point off the top of the table. Millwall remain on six points and lie second bottom of the Championship table.
Pompey Go Top of League One
Portsmouth came from behind to beat Rochdale 3-1 away from home and take the top spot in League One. The home side took a surprise early lead when Aaron Wilbraham scored with a superb 25-yard volley on four minutes. That was as good as it got for Rochdale as Pompey came to life. They hit the crossbar before equalising on 25 minutes, Jamal Lowe scoring after a good cross from Brett Pitman.
Dale rallied in the second half but could not find a way through. On 70 minutes Portsmouth took the lead. Brett Pitman scored at the near post. With nine minutes remaining, Pompey secured the points. Matt Clarke struck an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net.
The result means Portsmouth remain undefeated this season in the league and top the table by one point. Rochdale stay on 11 points and sit 17th in the table.
Newport Fight Back from Two Down to Win
After Yeovil beat Newport 6-0 during their last home game, fans could be forgiven for thinking a repeat was on the cards. Cambridge scored in the fourth minute, and by 21 minutes the away side led 2-0, Reggie Lambe scoring both. On the stroke of half-time, Mickey Demetriou gave County hope when he scored from the penalty spot.
Within four minutes of the restart, Newport were level. Padraig Amond struck the equaliser, firing the ball into the roof of the net. Two goals in three minutes completed an excellent turnaround for County. Jamille Matt scored in both the 60th and 63rd minutes to seal the points for his team.
The three points take County up to second in the table. Cambridge remain near the bottom in 20th place.
Elsewhere in…
The Championship
Two games were played on Friday night. Sheffield Wednesday faced Leeds United at Hillsborough. Two stunning strikes meant the points were shared in a 1-1 draw. Adam Reach and Mateusz Klich got the goals. Bristol City and Aston Villa also drew 1-1. It is now just one win in nine for Steve Bruce.
On Saturday, Birmingham, Blackburn Rovers, Brentford and Rotherham were all involved in 2-2 draws at home. Ipswich, Nottingham Forest and Reading could not hold onto away leads whereas Stoke battled back after being two down at Rotherham.
West Brom went top of the table after beating Preston away in another five-goal game. Derby County, recent conquerors of Manchester United, saw their promotion bid stall, losing 1-0 at Bolton. Craig Noone ended Bolton’s winless run. Hull City and Middlesbrough played out a 1-1 draw and Norwich narrowly beat Wigan 1-0 at Carrow Road, a late penalty sealing the points. Swansea City, who had not scored in three games, hit three as they beat QPR 3-0 at the Liberty Stadium.
League One
In Saturday’s early kick-off, Sunderland, backed by a massive 5000 travelling supporters, drew 1-1 at Coventry City. Jonson Clarke-Harris cancelled out Lee Cattermole’s opener. Peterborough and Blackpool shared four goals as Posh relinquished top spot.
Doncaster Rovers moved up to third in the table thanks to a 3-2 victory at Plymouth. A double from John Marquis helped to seal the the points. AFC Wimbledon heaped more misery on Oxford as they won 2-1. United are 23rd in the table. Bradford City and Burton Albion drew 0-0 with Bristol Rovers and Scunthorpe respectively.
Barnsley moved up to fifth by beating Fleetwood 3-1 away from home. A 95th-minute equaliser saw Charlton gain a point at Luton, Chris Solly scoring his first goal in six years rescued the draw. An 88th-minute goal by Shrewsbury put them in front at home to Gillingham; however, a 90th-minute equaliser saw the points shared.
Southend almost let a three goal lead slip away at Wycombe. Two goals in the 83rd and 86th minutes made it an exciting finish but Southend held on to win 3-2. A seventh minute penalty from Billy Kee was enough to secure Accrington Stanley the points away to Walsall.
League Two
Two second half goals saw Lincoln City remain top of League Two. They beat Cheltenham 2-0 to secure another victory. Macclesfield remain bottom and winless but they did draw 1-1 with Forest Green to earn what could be a vital point. Stevenage extended their unbeaten run beating Carlisle 1-0 away. Bury moved level on points with their hosts Colchester after 2-1 win.
Notts County won their first game of the season, beating fellow strugglers Crewe at Meadow Lane. Crawley won their third game in four as they beat Yeovil 3-1. Filipe Morais scored in added on time to make sure of the victory. Two second half goals were enough to earn Morecambe a comeback win at Grimsby. A dramatic 97th minute equaliser from Port Vale’s ldris Kanu snatched a point for the home side against Exeter.
Three second half goals helped Mansfield to a comfortable 4-0 home victory over Northampton Town. MK Dons made it five draws in their last six games in all competitions as they played out a 1–1 draw with Tranmere. Swindon and Oldham could find a way past each other as they drew 0-0. Swindon’s Matt Taylor was sent off in the 95th minute.
Stats You May Have Missed
- Derby County were unbeaten in their last nine games against Bolton until Saturday where they lost 1-0.
2. Following their draw at Peterborough, Blackpool have now gone 12 games without defeat.
3. Sunderland’s 1-1 draw at Coventry meant that the Black Cats have failed to win in their last nine visits to Coventry.
4. After their 0-0 draw, Scunthorpe have still to collect three points at Burton.
5. After winning 3-1, Barnsley retained their record of never having lost at Fleetwood.
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