Follow Playmaker on Twitter
      Ipswich back top despite draw

      EFL Round-up | Saints back in the mix for automatic promotion

      2024/04/13 18:20
      E5

      Flynn Downes' last-minute goal secured a thrilling 3-2 victory for Southampton against Watford, keeping their hopes alive for automatic promotion.

      Will Smallbone and Che Adams had initially set Southampton on course for victory, but Watford's Ryan Porteous and Ismael Kone levelled the score.

      Downes' crucial goal in the ninth minute of stoppage time left Southampton in fourth place, trailing second-placed Leicester by seven points and leaders Ipswich by eight points. However, Russell Martin's side has played one game less than the Foxes and two games less than Ipswich.

      Meanwhile, Ipswich Town reclaimed the top spot in the Championship but failed to capitalise on the defeats of automatic promotion contenders Leeds United and Leicester City.

      Kieran McKenna's side managed to secure a 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough at Portman Road and now have a two-point lead over third-placed Leeds, who suffered their first home defeat of the season against Blackburn Rovers earlier today.

      Championship results

      Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Leicester City 
      Leeds United
      0-1 Blackburn Rovers       
      Southampton
      3-2 Watford  
      Swansea City
      1-0 Rotherham
      West Bromwich
      0-1 Sunderland 
      Sheffield Wed. 
      1-1 Stoke City       
      Preston North End
      0-1 Norwich City  
      Bristol City
      1-1 Huddersfield Town
      Hull City
      3-0 QPR
      Ipswich Town
      1-1 Middlesbrough
      Millwall
      3-1 Cardiff City
      Birmingham City
      3-0 Coventry City 


      Bolton held Portsmouth to a 1-1 draw at the Toughsheet Stadium, delaying Pompey's promotion celebrations.

      The visitors took an early lead with a stunning goal from Abu Kamara, but the hosts responded strongly, equalising before half-time through Aaron Collins.

      Despite opportunities for both teams to secure a win in the second half, neither found the back of the net.

      With this result, John Mousinho's side needs only a point against Barnsley on Tuesday to secure promotion to the Championship, while Bolton remains in third place, now trailing second-placed Derby by four points.

      Elsewhere, Derby County returned to form with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Leyton Orient at Pride Park. 

      First-half goals from Kane Wilson and Sonny Bradley set the Rams on course for victory, with Bradley completing his brace late in the game.

      This win extends Derby's lead over Bolton to four points, with the Trotters having a game in hand.

      League One results

      Oxford United 5-0 Peterborough United                
      Lincoln City 1-2 Wigan Athletic                
      Port Vale 2-4 Exeter City                
      Shrewsbury Town 0-2 Wycombe Wanderers                
      Stevenage 1-2 Burton Albion                
      Fleetwood Town 2-0 Northampton Town                
      Derby County 3-0 Leyton Orient                
      Bolton Wanderers 1-1 Portsmouth                
      Cambridge United 1-1 Charlton Athletic                
      Carlisle United 0-1 Blackpool                
      Cheltenham Town 1-3 Bristol Rovers                
      Barnsley 2-2 Reading


      Stockport County and Wrexham have each secured promotion to League One with victories on Saturday afternoon.

      Meanwhile, Mansfield Town appears poised to join them in League One after a significant 4-1 triumph over promotion contenders MK Dons.

      Max Dean put the hosts ahead early in the match, but the Stags levelled the score midway through the first half with Elliott Hewitt's equaliser.

      In the second half, the visitors took control, with substitute Davis Keillor-Dunn scoring twice and James Gale adding a fourth to seal the win.

      With this result, Nigel Clough's men remain in third place in the table, trailing promoted duo Stockport and Wrexham, but they now hold a five-point lead over MK Dons, with one game in hand.

      A victory against Accrington Stanley on Tuesday would confirm Mansfield's promotion to League One.

      League Two results

      Stockport County 2-0 Morecambe
      Salford City
      1-2 Bradford City    
      Swindon Town 
      3-2 AFC Wimbledon
      Walsall
      1-3 Notts County    
      Wrexham 
      6-0 Forest Green Rovers
      Newport County
      1-2 Tranmere Rovers                
      MK Dons 
      1-4 Mansfield Town                
      Crewe Alexandra
      0-3 Grimsby Town                
      Doncaster Rovers
      4-0 Accrington Stanley                
      Gillingham
      3-0 Barrow AFC                
      Harrogate Town 
      2-2 Sutton United                
      Crawley Town
      2-3 Colchester

      Comments

      Would you like to comment? Just register!!
      motivo:
      JR
      2024-04-13 19h47m by jreedmanbrst
      Unbelievable game! Southampton showing real grit and determination. Delighted for Downes getting that last-minute winner! Automatic promotion still on the cards!
      2024-04-13 19h40m by sjacksons_9_2_1
      As a football fan, I can't help but feel optimistic about Southampton's chances for automatic promotion after that thrilling 3-2 victory against Watford. Flynn Downes' last-minute goal was crucial and shows the team's determination to succeed. With a game in hand, they have a real shot at catching up to Ipswich and Leicester. Let's keep the momentum going!
      NL
      2024-04-13 19h22m by nlawson12
      What a game! Southampton really showing their determination with that last-minute goal from Downes. Gratitude to Smallbone and Adams for setting the tone early on. Let's hope we can close the gap on Leicester and Ipswich.
      2024-04-13 19h08m by edavidson
      Wow, what a game! Downes' last-minute goal was the icing on the cake for Southampton's thrilling 3-2 win against Watford. Keeping their hopes alive for automatic promotion.
      2024-04-13 18h57m by banderson1976
      Wow, what a game! Downes' goal in stoppage time secured a thrilling 3-2 win for Southampton against Watford. Automatic promotion is still within reach!

      RECENT POSTS

      NL
      nlawson12 24-05-2024, 15:20
      eyoungs8 24-05-2024, 14:51
      DN
      dnelsons 24-05-2024, 14:46
      sjacksons_9_2_1 24-05-2024, 14:33
      A_
      a_12_shawcross 24-05-2024, 14:13
      jgibsonson 24-05-2024, 14:12
      eedwards 24-05-2024, 12:43
      DN
      dnelsons 24-05-2024, 12:31
      OM
      omitchellsonjones 24-05-2024, 11:36
      AW
      awalkerson7 24-05-2024, 11:16
      AW
      awalkerson7 24-05-2024, 02:06
      ocollinsworth 24-05-2024, 01:36
      gkingsley 24-05-2024, 01:33
      JR
      jreedmanbrst 24-05-2024, 01:22
      JR
      jreedmanbrst 24-05-2024, 01:06
      DN
      dnelsons 24-05-2024, 00:43