As always, the EFL action provided drama that will have huge ramifications for teams across the leagues. With teams only having three matches left to decide the fate of their season, the matches played today had even more riding on them than most, and the action did not disappoint.
Championship
Starting with the race for the Premier League, there was little change at the summit as Leeds United, Burnley and Sheffield United all earned victories. Burnley came from behind to beat Watford 2-1, whilst Leeds defeated Oxford United 1-0 thanks to a strike from Manor Solomon and Sheffield United won 2-0 against relegation threatened Cardiff City.
Those results mean that Leeds and Burnley remain 5 points clear of Sheffield United with 3 games to play. If Burnley can defeat in their clash Sheffield United on Monday, then The Clarets will secure an immediate return to the topflight, whilst Leeds will need to defeat Stoke City and hope that The Blades slip up to confirm their promotion.
In the playoff battle, Bristol City solidified their credentials by defeating 4th placed Sunderland 2-1, whilst Coventry City earned a crucial 2-0 victory over midlands rivals West Brom to bolster their position in 6th place. 7th placed Middlesborough scored an injury time penalty to defeat Plymouth Argyle 2-1 and remain 3 points behind their rivals, but Millwall saw their hopes fade with a damaging 4-1 defeat at Blackburn Rovers.
An early goal from Millenic Alli was enough to see Luton Town pick up a crucial victory 1-0 against Derby County in the battle to avoid relegation, whilst Stoke City beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 and a Colby Bishop hat-trick saw Portsmouth win 5-3 at Norwich in victories that all but secured those sides' Championship status.
Hull City lost 1-0 to Swansea City, but the defeats for Plymouth, Cardiff and Derby mean that The Tigers were not dragged deeper into the relegation battle. With only 5 points separating the bottom 5 teams, this fight for survival looks set to go right to the wire.
League One
The main story from League One’s action is that Wycombe Wanderers displaced Wrexham in 2nd place in the race for automatic promotion.
The Chairboys won 2-0 at Bolton Wanderers, whilst Wrexham were held to a 1-1 draw by relegation threatened Bristol Rovers. Those results mean meaning Wycombe leapfrog their rivals to go into second, 1 point clear of the Red Dragons with ahead of the final 3 matches.
Charlton Athletic and Stockport County secured their place in the playoffs, as The Addicks defeated Northampton Town 2-1, whilst a late Jack Diamond equaliser saw County snatch a 1-1 draw against Peterborough United.
In the race to secure the final playoff place, Leyton Orient moved into the driving seat after a thrilling 4-3 victory over Barnsley. They overtook Reading, who were defeated 1-0 by Lincoln City, to go into 6th on goal difference heading into the run-in. Bolton’s defeat to Wycombe hindered their hopes of sneaking into 6th, as they are 3 points behind both Orient and Reading, but with a significantly inferior goal difference.
In the fight to avoid relegation, Burton Albion drew 0-0 at Exeter City to ensure they remain level on points with Bristol Rovers, who drew with Wrexham. The Brewers have a game in hand on The Gas, against Wigan, which may prove crucial in the battle to stay up, but with the teams only separated on goal difference it is too close to call.
At the bottom of the table, Shrewsbury Town saw their decade long stint in League One come to an end as they were defeated 1-0 by Wigan Athletic.
They could have been joined by Cambridge United, but The U’s defeated Huddersfield Town 2-1 to keep themselves above water for now. Crawley Town picked up an impressive point in a 0-0 draw with champions Birmingham City, but they still face a challenge to survive as they remain 6 points from safety.
League Two
The League Two promotion race has been full of twists and turns all season long, and the Good Friday action was no different.
First, Bradford City spurned their chance to go top as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Notts County. That result gave Port Vale the opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the table, but they were unable to capitalize as they missed an injury time penalty and lost 3-2 at Carlisle United.
Those results paved the way for Doncaster Rovers and Walsall to gain ground on their rivals. Doncaster took advantage as a Luke Molyneux hat-trick saw them to a resounding 3-0 victory at Tranmere Rovers, but Walsall were held to a 2-2 draw by Harrogate Town, extending their winless run to 11 matches and causing them to drop out of the automatic promotion places for the first time since September.
With only 3 points separating the top 4, the battle to earn automatic promotion to League One is one of the most engaging storylines across the EFL, and it is set to intensify over the coming matches.
In the playoff race, Notts County and AFC Wimbledon drew with Bradford and Chesterfield respectively, as both sides are likely out of the automatic promotion race but are well placed to earn a top 7 finish.
Behind them, Grimsby dropped down to 8th as they suffered a chastening 4-0 defeat at home to Swindon Town. They were replaced by Colchester United, who drew 0-0 at home to Crewe Alexandra. Chesterfield’s draw at AFC Wimbledon also keeps them in the hunt as they remain only 3 points behind.
In the relegation battle, Morecambe moved to the brink of relegation to the National League as a Michael Cheek penalty saw them lose 1-0 to Bromley. Carlisle remain with a chance of survival thanks to their victory over Port Vale, although they were hindered in their quest to stay up by Accrington Stanley, who defeated Salford 2-1.
Those results mean that with 3 games remaining, Morecambe are 8 points adrift of safety and seemingly destined for relegation. Carlisle United are the other side in the drop zone, and they are 4 points behind Tranmere Rovers and 6 away from Accrington Stanley ahead of their crucial trip to Accrington on Monday.
