Matchday 22 in the EFL has provided us with some great games and terrific goals across three days. Here's the round-up...
Cardiff City ensured the gap to Wolverhampton Wanderers at the top of the Sky Bet Championship remained four points, with Sol Bamba scoring the only goal of the game in a 1-0 home victory over Hull City. Wolves had extended their advantage with Friday night's win at Sheffield Wednesday.
At Ashton Gate, Lee Johnson’s Bristol City maintained their spot in third position, thanks to a 2-1 win against Nottingham Forest. Marlon Pack and Joe Bryan struck for the Robins, who have now racked up four successive Championship wins.
Andreas Weimann and Johnny Russell fired Derby County to three points in the Rams’ clash with Aston Villa at Pride Park. Gary Rowett’s team stay fourth, but it’s now five wins for his side in their last six outings.
Leeds United moved within one point of the play-off places after edging out Norwich City 1-0 at Elland Road. Pontus Jansson's goal reduced the deficit between themselves and the top six due to Sheffield United’s narrow loss at Preston North End, where Jordan Hugill grabbed the sole strike.
First-half goals from Callum Connolly and Joe Garner set Ipswich Town on their way to a home victory over Reading, with the Tractor Boys running out 2-0 winners.
Millwall scored twice in quick succession in a home success against Middlesbrough. Stewart Downing pulled one back for the visitors after the break, but the Lions held out for a 2-1 victory.
Queens Park Rangers earned their first away win of the season, with defender Jack Robinson scoring a brace in a 2-1 triumph at Birmingham City.
EFL STAR OF THE DAY: 🌟
— EFL (@EFL) December 16, 2017
It's safe to say that Jack Robinson played quite a significant role in @QPRFC's win at @BCFC... pic.twitter.com/0XkFiuCxdR
A goal from 18-year-old Josh Maja gave Sunderland their first win at the Stadium of Light since December 17th 2016, seeing off Fulham 1-0, and that was the scoreline by which Burton Albion prevailed against Bolton Wanderers — a result which moved the Brewers out the bottom three.
Last but not least, Brentford and Barnsley played out a goalless stalemate at Griffin Park.
Wigan Athletic scored four second-half goals at AFC Wimbledon to earn a 4-0 win and maintain their four-point lead at the summit of Sky Bet League One.
The Latics’ closest challengers continue to be Shrewsbury Town, who saw off Blackpool 1-0 at New Meadow, thanks to a Jon Nolan goal earlier in the second period.
It’s now six consecutive league victories for Blackburn Rovers, as Tony Mowbray’s men beat Charlton Athletic 2-0 at Ewood Park. An own goal from Leon Best put Rovers ahead before Danny Graham wrapped things up in injury time.
One point and one place behind Blackburn are Bradford City, who left it late to secure all three points at Southend United. After initially going 1-0 up, the Shrimpers hit back but, with time running out, Charlie Wyke dispatched a penalty kick to send the Bantams supporters home happy.
Four goals were shared at Glanford Park in a 2-2 draw between Scunthorpe United and Milton Keynes Dons. The Iron had led twice, but Robbie Neilson’s team showed great character to earn a point.
Portsmouth sit outside the play-off places on goal difference alone, moving level on points with the sixth-placed Addicks courtesy of a 1-0 win at home to Bury. Matt Clarke was on target for Pompey.
Gillingham got themselves a home league win for the first time since September, as Steve Lovell saw his players notch an impressive 4-1 success over Bristol Rovers.
EFL RESULT OF THE DAY: 🙌@TheGillsFC hadn't picked up a home league win since September.
— EFL (@EFL) December 16, 2017
They took all three points against @Official_BRFC though, as Steve Lovell's team ran out 4-1 winners. pic.twitter.com/m3ddbmNl6N
Despite taking an early lead at Sixfields, Walsall were defeated 2-1 by Northampton Town, who subsequently moved out of the relegation zone. Plymouth Argyle were moments away from escaping the bottom four themselves, but Rotherham United equalised in the dying seconds to deny the Pilgrims.
Elsewhere in League One, there were home draws for Doncaster Rovers and Rochdale, with Oldham Athletic and Oxford United respectively picking up points on their travels in those games.
On Sunday, Peterborough United struck two late goals to come from behind and defeat Fleetwood Town 3-2.
League leaders Luton Town are now two points clear of Notts County after comfortably seeing off Forest Green Rovers at the New Lawn, who moved bottom of the table as a result.
The Hatters have that cushion over the Magpies as a result of Kevin Nolan’s team being held to a 0-0 draw by Grimsby Town at Meadow Lane.
A 2-0 loss for Accrington Stanley at Lincoln City allowed both Exeter City and Wycombe Wanderers to climb above them in the table, with the Grecians and the Chairboys beating Stevenage and Chesterfield respectively.
Marc McNulty scored the winning goal for Coventry City in the Sky Blues’ 2-1 home success over Cheltenham Town, a scoreline mirrored in wins for Newport County and Port Vale.
Callum Ainley’s stunning strike was the pick of the goals in Crewe Alexandra’s win over Crawley Town, while there was frustration for Mansfield Town at Field Mill, where the Stags shared the points with Yeovil Town in a goalless affair.
Barnet climbed out of the bottom two courtesy of a triumph against Morecambe. Jamal Campbell-Ryce and Jack Taylor got the goals for the Bees, who are now 22nd in the standings.
