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Ipswich back top despite draw

EFL Round-up | Saints back in the mix for automatic promotion

2024/04/13 18:20
E5

Flynn Downes' last-minute goal secured a thrilling 3-2 victory for Southampton against Watford, keeping their hopes alive for automatic promotion.

Will Smallbone and Che Adams had initially set Southampton on course for victory, but Watford's Ryan Porteous and Ismael Kone levelled the score.

Downes' crucial goal in the ninth minute of stoppage time left Southampton in fourth place, trailing second-placed Leicester by seven points and leaders Ipswich by eight points. However, Russell Martin's side has played one game less than the Foxes and two games less than Ipswich.

Meanwhile, Ipswich Town reclaimed the top spot in the Championship but failed to capitalise on the defeats of automatic promotion contenders Leeds United and Leicester City.

Kieran McKenna's side managed to secure a 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough at Portman Road and now have a two-point lead over third-placed Leeds, who suffered their first home defeat of the season against Blackburn Rovers earlier today.

Championship results

Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Leicester City 
Leeds United
0-1 Blackburn Rovers       
Southampton
3-2 Watford  
Swansea City
1-0 Rotherham
West Bromwich
0-1 Sunderland 
Sheffield Wed. 
1-1 Stoke City       
Preston North End
0-1 Norwich City  
Bristol City
1-1 Huddersfield Town
Hull City
3-0 QPR
Ipswich Town
1-1 Middlesbrough
Millwall
3-1 Cardiff City
Birmingham City
3-0 Coventry City 


Bolton held Portsmouth to a 1-1 draw at the Toughsheet Stadium, delaying Pompey's promotion celebrations.

The visitors took an early lead with a stunning goal from Abu Kamara, but the hosts responded strongly, equalising before half-time through Aaron Collins.

Despite opportunities for both teams to secure a win in the second half, neither found the back of the net.

With this result, John Mousinho's side needs only a point against Barnsley on Tuesday to secure promotion to the Championship, while Bolton remains in third place, now trailing second-placed Derby by four points.

Elsewhere, Derby County returned to form with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Leyton Orient at Pride Park. 

First-half goals from Kane Wilson and Sonny Bradley set the Rams on course for victory, with Bradley completing his brace late in the game.

This win extends Derby's lead over Bolton to four points, with the Trotters having a game in hand.

League One results

Oxford United 5-0 Peterborough United                
Lincoln City 1-2 Wigan Athletic                
Port Vale 2-4 Exeter City                
Shrewsbury Town 0-2 Wycombe Wanderers                
Stevenage 1-2 Burton Albion                
Fleetwood Town 2-0 Northampton Town                
Derby County 3-0 Leyton Orient                
Bolton Wanderers 1-1 Portsmouth                
Cambridge United 1-1 Charlton Athletic                
Carlisle United 0-1 Blackpool                
Cheltenham Town 1-3 Bristol Rovers                
Barnsley 2-2 Reading


Stockport County and Wrexham have each secured promotion to League One with victories on Saturday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Mansfield Town appears poised to join them in League One after a significant 4-1 triumph over promotion contenders MK Dons.

Max Dean put the hosts ahead early in the match, but the Stags levelled the score midway through the first half with Elliott Hewitt's equaliser.

In the second half, the visitors took control, with substitute Davis Keillor-Dunn scoring twice and James Gale adding a fourth to seal the win.

With this result, Nigel Clough's men remain in third place in the table, trailing promoted duo Stockport and Wrexham, but they now hold a five-point lead over MK Dons, with one game in hand.

A victory against Accrington Stanley on Tuesday would confirm Mansfield's promotion to League One.

League Two results

Stockport County 2-0 Morecambe
Salford City
1-2 Bradford City    
Swindon Town 
3-2 AFC Wimbledon
Walsall
1-3 Notts County    
Wrexham 
6-0 Forest Green Rovers
Newport County
1-2 Tranmere Rovers                
MK Dons 
1-4 Mansfield Town                
Crewe Alexandra
0-3 Grimsby Town                
Doncaster Rovers
4-0 Accrington Stanley                
Gillingham
3-0 Barrow AFC                
Harrogate Town 
2-2 Sutton United                
Crawley Town
2-3 Colchester

Comments

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motivo:
JR
2024-04-13 19h47m by jreedmanbrst
Unbelievable game! Southampton showing real grit and determination. Delighted for Downes getting that last-minute winner! Automatic promotion still on the cards!
2024-04-13 19h40m by sjacksons_9_2_1
As a football fan, I can't help but feel optimistic about Southampton's chances for automatic promotion after that thrilling 3-2 victory against Watford. Flynn Downes' last-minute goal was crucial and shows the team's determination to succeed. With a game in hand, they have a real shot at catching up to Ipswich and Leicester. Let's keep the momentum going!
NL
2024-04-13 19h22m by nlawson12
What a game! Southampton really showing their determination with that last-minute goal from Downes. Gratitude to Smallbone and Adams for setting the tone early on. Let's hope we can close the gap on Leicester and Ipswich.
2024-04-13 19h08m by edavidson
Wow, what a game! Downes' last-minute goal was the icing on the cake for Southampton's thrilling 3-2 win against Watford. Keeping their hopes alive for automatic promotion.
2024-04-13 18h57m by banderson1976
Wow, what a game! Downes' goal in stoppage time secured a thrilling 3-2 win for Southampton against Watford. Automatic promotion is still within reach!

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