Eesh I’ve just noticed the rugby score. I thought England were supposed to be good this year? What do I know? (Nothing.
If you like goals and you decided to attend either the game at the Racecourse Ground or Edgeley Park, congratulations, you’ve won in terms of pure EFL entertainment so far.
The whistle has gone for half-time at Brentford, where Brighton are in line for a first victory in six games. Keith Andrews’ team, conversely, have not lost for nearly a month, with two defeats in their past 11 in fact, before today.
Aston Villa 0-1 Leeds (PL).
Chelsea 1-0 Burnley (PL).
Hearts 1-0 Falkirk (SP).
Wrexham 2-2 Ipswich (Champ) – the visitors levelled up in first-half stoppage time.
Watford 1-0 Derby (Champ).
Norwich 0-2 Birmingham (Champ).
Stockport 2-2 Wigan (L1).
Bristol Rovers 2-1 Grimsby (L2).
There’s been an extended period of first half added time at Brentford, where Brighton lead 2-0.
On the brink of half-time, a toe-poke from Islam Chesnokov has clinched a precious lead for Hearts at Tyencastle. They haven’t been too fluent, by all accounts, b ut three points is pretty much all that matters today.
Danny Welbeck capitalises on some ropey Brentford defending to double the Seagulls’ lead. Where would they be without that guy Welbz?!
Looks like a mistake from Nathan Collins, who had just come on for the Bees.
Who will topple James Milner’s appearance record? RS has some thoughts.
Taking a rough look at Saka’s stats, he averages 31 games per season so would need to stay at that level for the next 14 years (aged 38) to reach Milner. A better shout might be Declan Rice who averages 33 games per season, and can reach Milner in 10 years (aged 38). Added to that, Rice has a much better injury record and plays in a position that could allow for the years required.
Not much love for my Foden shout. Ah well.
Stockport 2-2 Wigan. That one’s been fun so far. Also in League One, Barnsley have scored at Huddersfield through the ageless David McGoldrick. Well, he’s 38, but is still bagging goals in the EFL.
Lincoln have scored at Mansfield, too via a Rob Street penalty. The Street won’t forget. (Sorry)
All the noise at Villa Park right now is being made by the Leeds fans. To be fair, there’s never a quiet moment when they’re involved. But it reflects the visitors’ superb display in the opening 39 minutes away at the league’s third-placed team.
Villa’s recent home form has been patchy, winning two of their past five in front of the Holte End.
Wrexham 2-1 Ipswich. Josh Windass restores the Welsh side’s lead in a nip-and-tuck contest at the Racecourse.
Three Championship games – at Boro, Millwall and Southampton – are still goalless.
Let’s switch to Serie A for a moment, and fresh off their 5-2 hammering by Galatasaray in the Champions League play-offs, Juventus are staring down the barrel of a 2-0 home defeat by Como.
The Old Lady currently sit fifth; their entire season is hanging by a thread.
Finally we get some goals! And with the away teams scoring in both those games, we can surely expect a response of sorts …
Villa in particular have been quiet so far, struggling to make inroads against Daniel Farke’s 3-5-2, which has worked wonders in recent weeks. Gruev comes close to making it 2-0. Unai Emery’s side are really rattled.
Anton Stach’s free-kick goes towards the near post and clinches the lead for Leeds at Villa Park! Emi Martinez was never stopping that, it’s a great hit by Stach.
I think Martinez was expecting a cross.
Fabian Hürzeler needed a goal and Diego Gomez has duly obliged at the Gtech Community Stadium! It had been a tepid start from both teams until that moment.
After having some difficulties in breaking Macclesfield down in the FA Cup on Monday night, Brentford are in trouble again.
At half-time in the Bundesliga, Bayern remain 2-0 up, Bayer Leverkusen are trailing 1-0 at Union Berlin while it’s locked at 1-1 between Köln and Hoffenheim and wolfsburg lead Augsburg 1-0.
There hasn’t been a goal in ANY of the games in the top four leagues in England since before the 18th minute mark. We’re now on 27 minutes. Dry spell.
Re players who could break Milner’s appearance record, Matt Emerson chimes in. “I’d go for Saka. He’s a year younger than Foden and has more appearances.”
We haven’t considered the possibility that there’s an unborn Gray who will make it pro aged 13 or something.
Ipswich are back on terms at Wrexham! Kieran McKenna’s side have a few games in hand on their rivals in the upper echelons of the Championship so may fancy themselves for a late automatic promotion push. Anis Mehmeti, recently signed from Bristol City, has got the goal.
Hearts 0-0 Falkirk is the score after 17 minutes at Tynecastle and with every passing minute the tension will notch up for the Scottish Premiership leaders. They simply cannot afford to slip up today. The Old Firm duo are breathing down their necks.
I swear every time I think I know which club Nakhi Wells plays for, he pops up at a different one. Anyway, he’s just opened the scoring for Luton against Burton.
In the Championship, Birmingham are in dreamland at Norwich, two goals to the good after 14 minutes.
12 minutes gone at Villa Park and not a huge amount has happened. “Football in a library,” is the chant from the Leeds away fans. Yes, that chant, surely the worst in the modern game.
Three goals in 11 minutes at Stockport now! Joe Taylor has a brace for Wigan already, with the visitors leading 2-1.
I’ve just sold my house to a Wigan fan, so he’s having a good weekend so far.
“Been wondering which player might go on to break Milner’s record one day,” wonders Edan Tal. “My guess is Archie Gray.”
That’s a decent shout, Edan. I’ll plump for Phil Foden; he’s still only 25 and has played a LOT of football.
There are goals flying in everywhere, in fact. Kieffer Moore has made it 1-0 to Wrexham against his (one of his many) former club Ipswich.
Watford lead Derby 1-0 in the Championship, while Bristol Rovers have bagged two in seven minutes to storm ahead at home to Grimsby. The old Steve Evans effect is finally taking hold at the Gas.
Two goals in the first five minutes at Stockport v Wigan! Joel Taylor caught the hosts napping early on before Brad Hills levelled up a couple of minutes later.
I was about to decide which Premier League game to make my primary focus and that early Chelsea goal has swayed me in the direction of Aston Villa v Leeds.
Although it looks like there’s a VAR check going on at Chelsea…
Chelsea were huge favourites to win today and it really hasn’t taken them long to breach Burnley’s defence. Joao Pedro with a straightforward finish to open the scoring at Stamford Bridge.
The first goal of the afternoon has been scored by Shrewsbury at Accrington in League Two. Can the Shrews, previously beleaguered, make it four wins on the bounce?
It’s KICK OFF time around the various grounds.
James Milner is starting for Brighton at Brentford and officially becomes the Premier League’s record appearance-maker, now leaving Gareth Barry in his wake. It’s also his first start of 2026.
Four games are already under way in the Bundesliga, by the way, having kicked off at 2.30pm GMT. And Bayern Munich have raced into a 2-0 lead at home to Eintracht Frankfurt, with Harry Kane inevitably among the scorers.
The only other goal scored in Germany so far has been by Ragnar Ache of FC Köln and I’ve been told it’s an absolute scorcher. And do use those words.
Right, I’m going to grab a quick cuppa and prepare myself for the post-3pm madness … feel free to do the same.
I think Plymouth are proof that you don’t have to sack your manager to turn your fortunes around. Plenty were calling for Tom Cleverley’s head after a run of one win in nine games across October and November saw the Green Army sink towards the relegation places, but Argyle stuck by their man and they’ve risen dramatically up the League One table since December, losing just three of their 16 matches in all competitions.
Fair play to TClevz and the gang. They are now just three points off the playoffs.
A preview of today’s action north of the border comes via email correspondent Simon McMahon:
Afternoon Dom! Heading to Tannadice today to see Dundee United take on Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premier. United have been wildly inconsistent all season but have won their last two, a fine 3-2 league win at Falkirk last Saturday followed by a 2-1 win at home to Spartans in the Scottish Cup in midweek. Top six remains unlikely for United, but three points today would take Jim Goodwin’s men 11 points clear of their visitors and, assuming Falkirk lose at leaders Hearts, within eight of the Bairns in sixth, but with two games in hand. So all to play for. Come on United!
Championship
Hull 1-3 QPR
Stoke 2-2 Leicester
Swansea 1-0 Bristol City
West Brom 0-2 Coventry
League One
Plymouth 5-2 Cardiff
Rotherham 1-2 Doncaster
Wycombe 3-1 Stevenage
League Two
Fleetwood 3-2 Barrow
Swindon 1-2 Crewe
Scratch that Leicester winner… Ben Wilmot has bagged his second of the afternoon from centre-back to draw Stoke level at 2-2.
Meanwhile, it’s Plymouth 5-2 Cardiff in League One. The league leaders have taken a beating from Tom Cleverley’s improved side.
What a goal from teenage Aussie winger Daniel Bennie for QPR! A stunner from 20 yards or more has stolen the lead for the Rs at Hull. You probably have to consider Julien Stéphan’s men among the (many) playoff contenders if they see that 201 scoreline through.
Looking back on that Premier League team news… there’s some serious strength in depth in the division these days isn’t there? You’ve got Tammy Abraham and Jadon Sancho – who have both been leading goal scorers/makers in other top European leagues – on the bench at Villa.
On the opposite bench at Villa Park sit Daniel James and Willy Gnonto, two livewire wingers who have been highly rated in their time. And I personally think Ao Tanaka is one of the most underrated midfielders in the league.
A big goal for Leicester and Gary Rowett in his first game in charge! Harry Winks has made it 2-1 at Stoke. That means West Brom drop into the bottom three…
At The Hawthorns, the home fans chant: “Eric Ramsay, your football is sh*t.”
“We’re top of the league,” is the response from the Coventry contingent.
Leicester, who have got themselves back on level terms at Stoke via Manchester City loaneee Divine Mukasa, may now be eyeing all three points at the bet365 Stadium. 1-1 there.
There haven’t been loads of goals in the second half of these EFL games, though Crewe leading 2-1 at high-flying Swindon in League Two is a bit of a surprise.
Chelsea: Sanchez; James, Fofana, Chalobah, Gusto; Caicedo, Santos; Palmer, Fernández, Neto; Pedro.
Subs: Slonina, Tosin, Delap, Sarr, Hato, Acheampong, Guiu, Lavia, Garnacho.
Burnley: Dubravka; Walker, Esteve, Worrall, Humphreys; Ugochukwu, Laurent, Hannibal; Edwards, Flemming, Anthony.
Subs: Weiss, Hartman, Bruun Larsen, Luis, Tchaouna, Ekdal, Ward-Prowse, Pires, Barnes.
Brentford: Kelleher; Hickey, Ajer, Van den Berg, Henry; Janelt, Henderson, Jensen; Ouattara, Lewis-Potter, Thiago.
Subs: Valdimarsson, Pinnock, Schade, Nelson, Yamoliuk, Collins, Damsgaard, Donovan, Furo.
Brighton: Verbruggen; Hinshelwood, Van Hecke, Dunk, Kadioglu; Milner, Wieffer, Gross; Gomes, Mitoma, Welbeck.
Subs: Steele, Rutter, Minteh, Baleba, Kostoulas, Boscagli, De Cuyper, Veltman, Howell.
Aston Villa: Martínez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen; Onana, Luiz; Bailey, Rogers, Buendía; Watkins.
Subs: Wright, Lindelof, Barkley, Digne, Torres, Garcia, Abraham, Sancho, Bogarde.
Leeds: Darlow; Justin, Rodon, Struijk; Bogle, Gruev, Stach, Ampadu, Gudmundsson; Aaronson, Calvert-Lewin.
Subs: Perri, James, Longstaff, Piroe, Nmecha, Bijol, Tanaka, Bornauw, Gnonto.
Hold onto your hats, here comes the Premier League team news …
There are swathes of empty seats at The Hawthorns today. Clearly the West Brom faithful are voting with their feet as the club slides into the relegation mire. It hasn’t gone to plan under Eric Ramsay since the former Manchester United coach arrived from MLS … Coventry look comfortable at the moment.
Let’s have a look ahead to the Premier League weekend. Team news for the 3pm games will be dropping in 15 minutes or so.
Championship
Hull 1-1 QPR
Stoke 1-0 Leicester
Swansea 1-0 Bristol City
West Brom 0-2 Coventry
League One
Plymouth 3-2 Cardiff
Rotherham 1-0 Doncaster
Wycombe 1-0 Stevenage
League Two
Fleetwood 0-2 Barrow
Swindon 0-1 Crewe
Plymouth v Cardiff in League One was goalless the last time I checked, just before the half hour mark. Then the following happened:
28 mins – Lorent Tolaj makes it 1-0 Plymouth
31 mins – Aribim Pepple doubles the hosts’ lead
33 mins – 2-1 as Omari Kellyman reduces the deficit
34 mins – Pepple scores again for 3-1
43 mins – Kellyman scores again, 3-2
Football!
Blackburn’s win over Preston last night means they’ve now gone on a spurt of three wins in four games, a much-needed new manager bounce under Michael O’Neill. It also means, with Portsmouth in decent form themselves – they’ve only lost two of their past seven – that one of Leicester or West Brom looks likely to drop into League One.
Oxford are second bottom but not completely out of the hunt for survival, though they have a tough task today away at Middlesbrough. Pompey also have their work cut away, away at Millwall.
As for Sheffield Wednesday, their fate could be sealed as early as tomorrow against their bitter city rivals. It’s been an annus horribilis for the Owls.
Current scores in the Championship:
Hull 0-1 QPR
Stoke 1-0 Leicester
Swansea 1-0 Bristol City
West Brom 0-2 Coventry
Around 40 minutes or so have gone in these games – a dream start for Frank Lampard’s table-topping Cov! Goals from Ephron Mason-Clark and Jack Rudoni will be putting the Sky Blues four points clear as it stands.
Right, we’re starting a bit early on today’s clockwatch to cover the intriguing EFL lunchtime games, which include leaders Coventry away at midlands rivals West Brom. It’s hard to believe the Baggies and Leicester are now among this season’s relegation contenders; the Foxes are currently away at Stoke, by the way.
The Premier League stuff begins later on with a trio of matches – Aston Villa v Leeds is surely the standout. Can Villa keep their feint title hopes alive, or at least keep the chasing top four/five pack at bay with a win? Or will Daniel Farke’s side continue their march away from trouble? There’s also Chelsea v Burnley and Brentford v Brighton. There’s also a full schedule of fixtures in League One, League Two and the National League. And in Scotland, Hearts must see off Falkirk to keep their noses in front in the title race, with Rangers and Celtic lurking.
Let’s get cracking, shall we? It should be a brilliant day of football – remember to drop me an email or a message on Bluesky to keep the chat going through the day.
The Guardian
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