The Football League returned to its full schedule after the international break, and with 8 games left off the season, every match could have a season-defining impact on each teams’ season.
Championship
The return of the Championship promised drama and excitement, and the action did not disappoint.
The first match of the week saw promotion candidates Sheffield United earn a commanding 3-1 victory over playoff chasing Coventry City. That result sent the Blades top of the table for the first time since December, and they sent a message to their rivals as they showed their quality and skill to beat a Coventry team who had won 6 of their last 7 matches.
That victory for Sheffield United ramped the pressure on their rivals in the race for automatic promotion. Burnley beat Bristol City 1-0 to continue their push, but Leeds United were held to a 2-2 draw by Swansea City. Leeds looked to be on track to win the game, as Illan Meslier saved a penalty and Wilfired Gnonto scored in the 86th minute to put them 2-1 up. However, a 96th minute equaliser from Zan Vipotnik saw Swansea snatch a point with a goal that could prove pivotal in the automatic promotion race.
Those results mean that with 7 games to play, the race for the Premier League is more tense than ever. Sheffield United are first, and they are followed closely by Burnley and Leeds, who are now both just two points behind the league leaders.
Whilst that drama was unfolding at the top of the league, it was a remarkably poor day for teams contesting the race for the playoffs. Sunderland beat Millwall 1-0 to maintain their grip in 4th, but Coventry and Bristol City lost, and West Brom were defeated 1-0 at Norwich City thanks to a dramatic winner from Josh Sargent. Those results meant Middlesborough’s 2-1 win over Oxford United saw them climb to 7th, only behind West Brom in the playoff spots on goal difference.
At the bottom of the table, teams are scrapping for results to prevent them from falling into League One, but there was a mixed bag of results for teams in the relegation battle.
Plymouth Argyle remain rooted to the foot of the table after they drew 0-0 at Watford. However, the dropped points mean they lose ground on rivals Luton Town, who won 1-0 at Hull City. Cardiff City were held to a 1-1 draw by Sheffield Wednesday, and Oxford were defeated by Middlesborough, but some of their rivals achieved some significant victories. Portsmouth beat Blackburn Rovers 1-0 to lift themselves further clear of danger, whilst Stoke City won 3-1 at home to QPR to give themselves a bit of breathing room above the relegation zone.
Those results mean Derby County, whose game against Preston North End was delayed because of the Lilywhites progression in the FA Cup, are still in the relegation zone, 2 points from safety. However, 7 points separate 15th and 23rd, and this battle to survive will be chaotic as the end of the season approaches.
League One
League One had its full schedule restored this week, and this meant that there was drama and potentially season defining results at both ends of the table.
At the top of the league, Birmingham edged closer to the title with a comfortable 4-1 victory over bottom of the table Shrewsbury Town, who had recently seen manager Gareth Ainsworth depart to Gillingham and so had Michael Appleton in charge for the game.
Just behind them, both Wycombe Wanderers and Wrexham won in their bid to finish 2nd and secure automatic promotion. Wycombe beat Lincoln City 1-0, whist Wrexham won 2-0 at Exeter. Those results mean that Wrexham remain 2nd, three points clear of the Chairboys, who have a game in hand.
In the playoff picture, Stockport County ground out a 2-1 victory at Burton Albion to return to winning ways, whilst Charlton Athletic thrashed rivals Huddersfield Town 4-0 in a dominant display to cement their place in the top 6. That result means Huddersfield drop out of the top 6, as a defiant Reading side, who are still reeling from the news that the club may be removed from the EFL, won 3-1 against Peterborough to displace them.
Bolton Wanderers were defeated 2-1 at Blackpool in a result that denied them a place in the top 6, but Leyton Orient remained within striking distance with a 1-0 victory against Stevenage.
In the relegation battle, Shrewsbury’s defeat leaves them 14 points adrift of safety and staring towards relegation. Cambridge United look likely to join them, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by a Northampton Town side who had won just one of their 5 previous games.
However, 3rd from bottom Crawley Town seem more defiant, as they picked up a stunning 4-0 victory at Rotherham United. That victory meant Rotherham sacked Steve Evans, but it lifts Crawley level on points with Burton and both sides are now 6 points behind Bristol Rovers. This battle for survival looks fierce and likely to go to the wire.
League Two
There were some crucial results at the top end of League Two, as 6 teams battle for 3 automatic promotion places. League leaders Walsall snatched a late equaliser at home to 5th placed AFC Wimbledon meaning that the Saddlers remain top of the league, despite having not won in their past 7 matches, as 2nd placed Bradford City were held to a 0-0 draw by Accrington Stanley.
In midweek, Port Vale suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Barrow, but the Valiants leapt into third as they secured a pivotal 1-0 victory at playoff chasing Crewe Alexandra. However, Notts County and Doncaster Rovers remain hot on their heels, as the Magpies won 2-0 at Newport County, whilst Rovers earned a convincing 3-0 victory over Carlisle United. Those results mean the gap between 3rd and 6th is just 2 points, with most teams having only 7 games remaining.
In the playoff race, Grimsby Town picked up a vital 2-1 victory against Colchester United to cement their position in 7th placed. The defeats for Colchester and Crewe mean Grimsby are 4 points clear of both their rivals, as that race intensifies at the climax of the season.
Towards the bottom of the table, Tranmere Rovers started the weekend by picking up a crucial 2-0 victory over Cheltenham Town, meaning that Rovers are unbeaten in their previous 6 matches. That result mounted pressure on Carlisle and Morecambe below them in the relegation places, as it threatened to cut both sides adrift and leave them stranded in their fight to remain in the football league.
Morecambe responded by moving off the foot of the table with a 1-0 victory over Swindon Town, but Carlisle were unable to build on their midweek 2-2 draw with MK Dons as they were defeated 3-0 by Doncaster. The results mean that Carlisle are 9 points away from safety, with Morecambe 7 behind, with only 7 matches remaining.
