16/05 - 20:00
The top two of the Championship continue to dominate after another action-packed day of EFL action. Meanwhile, Bolton Wanderers continue to impress in League One and there are some high-scoring games in League Two.
Championship
League leaders Fulham made it six wins out of their last seven league games and thanks to Aleksandar Mitrovic, who headed in his 31st goal of the season as the Cottagers defeated Hull City away from. It’s bad news for the Tigers, who have lost their last three Championship games in a row.
Second-placed Bournemouth won their game against Blackpool at Bloomfield Road in a much more dramatic fashion. Dominik Solanke had the chance to open the scoring for the Cherries from the spot but Daniel Grimshaw saved it. Then the home side took the leave thanks to a great strike from Josh Bowler.
Scott Parker’s team left it dangerously late. The equaliser came in the 87th minute through Jamal Lowe and then Siriki Dembele broke Blackpool hearts in the fifth minute of stoppage time to get Bournemouth all three points.
Forest’s game with Stoke City was an entertaining encounter. Stoke hit the bar twice before Nottingham Forest opened the scoring through Brennan Johnson. Josh Maja equalised and then Steve Cooper’s team were down to ten men when goalkeeper Brice Samba received a straight red card.
With all substitutes used, Joe Worrall deputised in goal and had to try to defend a penalty. Lewis Baker made no mistake from the spot to make it 2-1 to Stoke. However, ten-men Forest managed a stoppage-time equaliser when James Garner’s freekick hit the ball and Ryan Yates was on hand to bury the rebound.
At the bottom of the Championship, Domingos Quina scored his first goal for Barnsley to give the Tykes a much needed three points – though Poya Asbaghi’s team are still last in the league.
The scores are in!#EFL | #SkyBetChampionship pic.twitter.com/Ku8CUOL7nT
— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) February 12, 2022
League One
All the other teams in the other play-off positions drew their games. Sunderland ended a run of three defeats in a row with a 1-1 draw away to Wimbledon, MK Dons and Ipswich Town ended goalless, and Chris Forino-Joseph’s late equaliser earned Wycombe Wanderers draw.
Wigan put the pressure on Rotherham United (who don’t play their game against Sheffield Wednesday until tomorrow) with a 2-1 win over Charlton Athletic. It’s the Latics first win in four games in all competitions who are six points behind Rotherham with two games in hand.
Bolton Wanderers’ fine form continued with a 3-2 win away to Oxford United with Amadou Bakayoko once again providing an important late contribution.
The results are in!#EFL | #SkyBetLeagueOne pic.twitter.com/wqq6cTqGEM
— Sky Bet League One (@SkyBetLeagueOne) February 12, 2022
League Two
However, Forest Green increased their advantage over Tranmere Rovers as Micky Mellon’s team suffered a surprise defeat away to Walsall. Conor Wilkinson’s 85th-minute penalty was the only goal of the game.
Exeter City moved into fourth place with a 1-0 win over Bradford City thanks to Kieran Phillips’ goal just before half-time. Meanwhile, third-placed Northampton Town could only manage a goalless draw away to Port Vale.
Elsewhere there were two 3-3 draws to enjoy in League Two. In one of the games, Rochdale drew 3-3 with Harrogate Town while ten-men Oldham Athletic were close to an important three points away to Newport County but Mickey Demetriou gave the Exiles a point with an 89th-minute goal.
It’s tough times for Leyton Orient who now haven’t won a game in ten attempts, having lost the last three in the row after Salford City’s 2-0 win at Brisbane Road.
.@BarrowAFC and @StevenageFC's draw completes the day's @EFL action!#EFL | #SkyBetLeagueTwo pic.twitter.com/m31KQsk7gg
— Sky Bet League Two (@SkyBetLeagueTwo) February 12, 2022
