Contender Rak-Sakyi propels Sheffield United into the second spot in the Championship league
In the latest round of games in the EFL Championship, several teams put on a thrilling show, with dramatic finishes and shifts in the standings.
Sheffield United took a significant step forward in their promotion push with a 2-1 win over Portsmouth. Chris Wilder's side took the lead in the 24th minute through Gustavo Hamer's goal, only for John Mousinho's Portsmouth side to equalize three minutes later through Connor Ogilvie. However, Sheffield United secured the three points with a winning goal by Jesurun Rak-Sakyi in the 73rd minute. This victory moved them into the Championship's second automatic promotion spot.
Meanwhile, Watford and Norwich City played out a thrilling 1-1 draw. Watford went ahead in the 46th minute through Imran Louza's goal, but Norwich City responded quickly, with Adam Armstrong, on loan from Southampton, scoring his debut goal for Sheffield Wednesday to level the score. The game looked set to end in a draw until the second-half stoppage time, when Derby County snatched a point through a penalty converted by Tom Dele-Bashiru. The draw means Derby County are now just a point behind 21st-place Hull City, while Watford jumped up a place and are now in 10th position in the Championship.
Elsewhere, Sunderland drew 2-2 with Watford, preserving their unbeaten home league record this season. Sunderland took the lead in the 16th minute through Luke O'Nien's goal, but Dennis Cirkin scored the equalizing goal for Sunderland in the 89th minute. The point means Sunderland are now five points away from the Championship's automatic promotion places, but they remain in a strong position as they are currently fourth in the table.
West Bromwich Albion beat Sheffield Wednesday, ending the Owls' run of three consecutive defeats and moving them above Wednesday in the standings. The game was not without controversy, as Kyle Bartley received a red card for West Bromwich Albion for violent conduct after the final whistle. Jayson Molumby scored the winning goal for West Bromwich Albion, moving them above Blackburn Rovers and into fifth place.
The current standings in the EFL Championship for the automatic promotion and relegation zones are as follows:
- Automatic promotion places (top 2): 1st place - Leeds United 2nd place - Burnley
- The teams just outside automatic promotion spots (play-off places typically 3rd to 6th) include: 3rd Sheffield United 4th Sunderland 5th West Bromwich Albion 6th Coventry City
- Relegation zone (bottom 3 of 24): 22nd place - Luton Town 23rd place - Plymouth Argyle 24th place - Cardiff City
The point totals and full details for these teams after 46 matches played in the previous season were: - Leeds United: 100 points (46P, 31W, 7D, 8L, GD +59) - Burnley: 100 points (46P, 28W, 16D, 2L, GD +36) - Luton Town: 49 points (46P) - Plymouth Argyle: 46 points (46P) - Cardiff City: 44 points (46P)
This suggests Leeds United and Burnley secured automatic promotion, while Luton Town, Plymouth Argyle, and Cardiff City occupied the relegation places after the recent completed season. The next Championship season fixtures are underway, with teams battling it out for promotion and survival.
Football was a vital part of the EFL Championship's latest round, as Sheffield United, holding the second automatic promotion spot, secured a 2-1 victory over Portsmouth in a thrilling match. Meanwhile, Watford and Norwich City faced off in a tightly contested 1-1 draw.
