EFL Round Up: Boxing Day classics across the EFL

General

26 Dec

Words: EFL

Football fans with post-Christmas blues were treated to an incredible day of action in the EFL, with goal fests, drama and consequential results spread throughout all three divisions. Take a look through our round-up of the day's action below.

Sky Bet Championship

Leeds took the opportunity to climb to the top of the Championship table with both hands this evening, beating Stoke City convincingly at a foggy bet365 Stadium. In a dominant performance, Leeds frontman Joel Piroe struck twice to take his side top on goal difference after Sheffield United's defeat at the hands of title rivals Burnley earlier in the day. Burnley hit two and kept a clean sheet in a battle of two of the league's best defences, goals from Brownhill and Cullen the difference.

Another battle between two sides in the top six saw Blackburn Rovers host Sunderland. The promotion hopefuls played out a back-and-forth encounter enjoyed by England and Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham, who was in attendance at Ewood Park for the 2-2 draw.

Watford secured a dramatic late win at home to Portsmouth, coming from behind to win 2-1 thanks to a 95th-minute strike from Rocco Vata. The Hornets climbed above Middlesbrough and West Bromwich Albion with this result as the Baggies lost on the road at Derby County and Middlesbrough were held to an incredible 3-3 draw by Sheffield Wednesday. Having led 3-0 at half time, Boro were left shellshocked by a resurgent Sheffield Wednesday performance in the second half, which ultimately could have seen the Owls go on to win it.

Norwich and Bristol City both returned to winning ways with wins over Millwall and Luton Town respectively, Bristol City's 1-0 win secured by a stunning Scott Twine strike.

There were dominant wins for Swansea City and Coventry City, with 3-0 and 4-0 scorelines a welcome Christmas gift for both sets of fans.

Preston North End also returned to winning ways with a `1-0 victory over struggling Hull City, a win that took the Lancashire outfit seven points clear of the relegation zone.

Oxford United's new head coach Gary Rowett helped his side to an important 3-2 victory over Cardiff City, opening up a three-point gap between the two sides. Aided by a goal of-the-season contender from Przemysław Płacheta, the hosts battled to a first win in seven games.

Sky Bet League One

Birmingham City retained their spot at the top of the table with a convincing 2-0 victory over struggling Burton Albion. A Jay Stansfield penalty and an unfortunate Max Crocombe own goal helped the Blues to their 6th straight victory.

Hot on their heels are Wycombe Wanderers who celebrated Boxing Day in style with a thumping 3-0 win on the road at Stevenage. A brace from top-scorer Richard Kone helped Matt Bloomfield's men make it 19 games in a row unbeaten in League One.

Elsewhere in the top four, Wrexham and Huddersfield Town both added to their unbeaten streaks, with Wrexham completing a late comeback to beat Blackpool 2-1 and Huddersfield beating 5th-placed Stockport County 1-0.

Wins for Reading, Barnsley and Mansfield Town helped them further their claims for a play-off place, climbing above Bolton Wanderers and Lincoln City.

Reading ran out comfortable winners over Northampton Town, defeating the Cobblers 4-1. Barnsley came from behind to defeat Bolton Wanderers 2-1, Adam Phillips' 89th minute strike the difference between the two sides. Mansfield Town's 3-0 victory at the hands of Peterborough United saw them claim a welcome second win in a row after going seven games without a win.

Charlton Athletic ran out as 2-1 winners against Cambridge United and Exeter City claimed a 3-1 victory over Bristol Rovers, seeing both sides make it to 30 points.

Sky Bet League Two

League leaders Walsall went 9 points clear of second-placed Port Vale thanks to an important 2-0 win over third-placed Doncaster Rovers in difficult conditions. With Port Vale losing to Bradford City, this win gave the Saddlers daylight between them and their title rivals, also having a game in hand over teams below them.

A resurgent Bromley side put on a fantastic performance to hit five goals past Newport County, the game ending 5-2. Bromley are now ten games unbeaten in League Two and sit just four points from the play-off places in their debut campaign.

Another side stringing together an unbeaten run are Colchester United, whose 2-0 victory over Gillingham today means they haven't lost since mid-October.

They're joined by Fleetwood Town on 26 points after Fleetwood cruised to 2-0 victory over Chesterfield thanks to a thunderous strike from Kian Harratt.

A huge battle played out at the bottom of League Two between Carlisle United and Morecambe, with the loser sitting at the foot of the Football League come the end of the day. In a tense affair, the ten-men of Carlisle succumbed to a painful defeat, with Morecambe climbing off the bottom of the table thanks to Gwion Edwards' decisive strike.

Swindon Town recorded an impressive result on the road at AFC Wimbledon, securing a draw with their promotion-chasing opponents after in-form Harry Smith bagged yet again for Swindon. Swindon gained ground on Harrogate Town who were unable to mount a comeback against Grimsby Town and fell to a 2-1 defeat.

MK Dons succumbed to a third defeat in a row at home to Notts County, a side who are starting to find form again after a barren run. A superb strike from Dan Crowley secured the three points for the visitors who now sit in 7th place, but just 3 points away from 2nd place.

Replacing MK Dons in the top 10 are Salford City who ran rampant in a 3-0 victory at home to struggling Barrow.

Cheltenham Town secured a big result against the solid defence of Crewe Alexandra, defeating the high flying visitors 2-1.