In the final round of EFL fixtures before the World Cup begins, Sheffield United go top of the Championship... even if it is only temporary.

Playmaker takes a look at the headlines from the second, third, and fourth tiers...

Championship

Sheffield United returned to the top of the Championship – at least until tomorrow – after a 1-0 win away to Cardiff City. George Baldock scored the only goal of the game just after the hour mark. However, no matter what the result of the game between Burnley and Blackburn Rovers tomorrow, the Blades will finish the weekend in second place. 

Watford moved up to fourth in the table after a goalless draw with Bristol City thanks to Norwich City’s defeat at home to Middlesbrough. Michael Carrick’s team won 2-1 thanks to a late goal from substitute Matt Crooks. 

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Millwall’s place comes at the expense of Queens Park Rangers, who were defeated by Coventry City. Coventry are in great form after a terrible start to the season. The Sky Blues are now on a streak of four successive wins that sees them climb to 11th in the table. Viktor Gyökeres’s brace means the forward is now on four goals from his last three games.

West Bromwich Albion are another team that’s enjoying a revival. The Baggies' 2-0 win at home to Stoke City, in which Brandon Thomas-Asante scored a superb overhead kick, sees them escape the relegation zone.

Speaking of the relegation zone, managerless Wigan Athletic won 2-1 at home to Blackpool that sees the Tangerines move down to 23rd.

⏱️ The complete set of results!#EFL | @CazooUK pic.twitter.com/52RqJZxdd4

— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) November 12, 2022

League One

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In fact, half of the 12 games in the third tier ended with both sides sharing the spoils.

Sheffield Wednesday were one of the few teams to enjoy a win. Alex Mighten scored the only goal of the game as the Owls won away to Accrington Stanley. It’s a result that sees them move within a point of Ipswich.

Exeter City were 2-1 down until the 86th minute and ended up winning at home to Peterborough United. Sam Nombe made it 2-2 before Jevani Brown popped up in the first minute of stoppage time to give the Grecians all three points.

A 3-1 victory for Derby County away to MK Dons moved the Rams into the top six. Haydon Roberts, James Collins, and Nathaniel Méndez-Laing all on the scoresheet for the visitors.

Elsewhere, Barnsley won 1-0 away to Shrewsbury Town, Wycombe Wanderers were 2-0 winners away to Forest Green Rovers, and Oxford United put four past Port Vale without reply.

That's that!#EFL | @CazooUK pic.twitter.com/c52SnsNV6U

— Sky Bet League One (@SkyBetLeagueOne) November 12, 2022

League Two

Leyton Orient bounced back from their defeat to Wimbledon midweek with a victory away to Harrogate Town. Paul Smyth opened the scoring after just seven minutes before George Moncur made it 2-0 from the spot. 

Second-place Stevenage had to wait longer for their goal with Danny Rose scoring in the 79th minute to seal Boro’s narrow win over Hartlepool United.

Third-placed Northampton Town also had a good afternoon with a 2-0 win away to Gillingham. Sam Hoskins scored his 13th goal of the season with Kieron Bowie also on target.

Barrow’s defeat away to Crawley Town allowed Bradford City to move up to fourth in the table. The Bantams scored twice away to Sutton United through Scott Banks and the prolific Andy Cook.

Carlisle United could only draw 0-0 at home to Walsall which allowed Mansfield Town to move into the top seven. George Maris scored the only goal of the game just four minutes after coming off the bench to give the Stags a win away to Rochdale.

FT!#EFL | @CazooUK pic.twitter.com/pk7ixsyDIQ

— Sky Bet League Two (@SkyBetLeagueTwo) November 12, 2022