In one of the busiest days in the football calendar, here are five things you may have missed from yesterday's Boxing Day action.
Unbeaten Colchester
Colchester United recorded a 3-1 win over Leyton Orient in an early kick-off in Sky Bet League Two. The win means John McGreal’s side are now unbeaten in their last eight league games (W5, D3) and are on their best run since January 2017. The win also lifted them up to fourth in the table, now sitting just one point outside of the automatic promotion places.
Addicks back to winning ways
Lee Bowyer’s side hadn’t tasted victory since October before yesterday and a memorable performance from Macauley Bonne helped the Addicks to three points after a dramatic game at The Valley. Alfie Doughty scored his first career goal after Bonne’s double earned Charlton a 3-2 comeback win over Bristol City. 20-year-old Doughty converted a low cross from Bonne on 82 minutes to give Charlton their first win in 12 games.
Portsmouth on the rise
Portsmouth faced a tough test coming up against League One leaders Wycombe Wanderers. Gareth Ainsworth’s side were seven points clear at the top of the table heading into Boxing Day but Kenny Jackett’s side continued their good form and rise up the table, defeating the Chairboys 2-0. The win means Portsmouth have lost just one of their last ten league games (W6, D3) and are now just one point outside of the Play-Off places. Wycombe remain six point clear at the top.
Five in a row for Brentford at Griffin Park
Brentford recorded a league double over Swansea City for the first time since the 1974/75 campaign with a 3-1 win at Griffin Park yesterday. The win for Thomas Frank’s side means Brentford have now won nine of their last 13 league matches, winning five in a row at Griffin Park. The Bees are up to third and look strong, though only six points separates 3rd and 12th place in the table.
Eoin Doyle emulates Jamie Vardy record
Swindon Town recorded another win yesterday to extend their lead at the top of Sky Bet League Two as Richie Wellens’ side put four past Cambridge United. It’s no surprise that Eoin Doyle was on the scoresheet again, scoring in his 11th consecutive league match. He is the first player to do so in the top four tiers of English football since Jamie Vardy for Leicester City in the Premier League back in November 2015. Keshi Anderson also scored a hat-trick in the game as Swindon Town look strong contenders for automatic promotion.