2 promoted and 2 relegated in the EFL – How the day played out

Another eventful weekend in the EFL saw celebrations at 2 clubs as they were promoted, and 2 teams have unfortunately been relegated.

Going into the day we knew that Watford could win promotion to Premier League with win over Millwall, while Wycombe and Sheffield Wednesday could face being relegated if results go against them.

Over in League One, we knew that Hull would win promotion to the Championship with win at Lincoln and that Bristol Rovers, Swindon and Northampton could all be relegated from League One.

For League Two, Cambridge would be promoted from League Two if they beat Stevenage, while Southend and Grimsby knew they could end up being relegated to the National League.

So what indeed actually happened on what was a bright, hot, sunny day as the season draws closer to an end?

Bristol Rovers became the first team from the EFL to be relegated, confirmation of what we’ve known for a few days, Joey Barton’s side will be playing League two football next season, and he intends to stay in charge.

The Pirates had to beat Portsmouth today to keep their remote survival hopes alive but they’ve fallen to a 1-0 defeat with Ronan Curtis getting the goal.

Barton had some strong things to say midweek when their relegation was all-but confirmed, and even made a tobacco revelation in his rant. Wonder if he’ll be as strong again now it’s definitely all over.

HOW THE REST OF THE DAY PLAYED OUT:

Ismaila Sarr gave Watford the lead from the penalty spot on the 11th minute after being felled himself. He rolled down the middle of the goal to put the Hornets a big step closer to the Premier League return.

The 11th minute also saw a blow for Northampton fans with Gillingham leading through Vadine Oliver. The Cobblers knew they would be relegated today if they lose and Wigan and Wimbledon both win.

On the 20th minute of the 3pm kick off, Sheffield Wednesday went a goal down at the bottom of the Championship.

Wednesday defender Julian Borner coughed up possession to Yannick Bolasie and the on-loan Everton man opened the scoring via a slight deflection off Tom Lees. At this point, if this stayed as it was and Derby win, the Owls would be down.

On the 30th minute mark, MK Dons doubled their lead through a Scott Fraser penalty, meaning visitors Swindon would be relegated, with the Robins seven points from safety with two to play.

Also by the 30 minute mark, Wycombe went behind at Cardiff in what could be a massive goal in the Championship relegation battle – and a potentially huge blow to the Chairboys’s hopes of staying up.

Kieffer Moore picked up the ball wide on the right, cut inside on to his left foot and finishes superbly into the bottom far corner.

On the 33rd minute, Oldham took the lead against Grimsby through Conor McAleny. That combined with Barrow drawing 0-0 at Tranmere at the point meant the Mariners would be going relegated.

The 39th minute was a big moment for many, Colin Kazim-Richards put Derby in front from close range, meaning Wycombe and Sheffield Wednesday would be BOTH relegated.

However just after that, Josh Windass buried his penalty to level the scoreline for Sheffield Wednesday at Middlesbrough. It was a goal that meant at the time the Owls wouldn’t be relegated.

A massive goal was scored for Southend on the 42nd minute, knowing they would go down unless they win their three remaining games. They went 1-0 up at home to Leyton Orient with Tyler Cordner getting the opener. However the O’s got an equalised just as the referee was about to blow his whistle for the break. They would be down at this point.

Wycombe got one back to level with Cardiff on the verge of half time. Joe Jacobsen from the spot, but his side would still be going down.

HALF TIME | STATE OF PLAY
2 promoted, 4 relegated in the EFL
– Watford promoted to the Premier League, winning 1-0 against Millwall
– Wycombe relegated to League One, drawing 1-1 at Cardiff
– Hull promoted to the Championship, winning 1-0 at Lincoln
– Swindon relegated to League Two, losing 3-0 at MK Dons
– Bristol Rovers already relegated to League Two after losing 1-0 at Portsmouth
– Southend relegated to the National League, drawing 1-1 at home to Leyton Orient

The second half started and almost instantly, MK Dons made it 4-0 against Swindon, with Will Grigg completing his hat-trick, before then making it 5-0 on the 49th minute. Bad to worse for the Robins.

The 62nd minute saw Birmingham get one back against Derby, Lukas Jutkiewicz nodding in a leveller sending the Rams back to being just four points clear of the bottom three.

League Two leaders Cambridge went behind at home to Stevenage, Luke Norris getting the opener on the 63rd minute. They went into the game knowing a win sees them promoted.

Lincoln grabbed an equaliser through Lewis Montsma to draw level at promotion-chasing Hull on the 65th minute, the Tigers would be promoted if they win.

Relegation contenders Northampton went 2-0 down to Gillingham, knowing they’ll be down if they lose AND Wigan and Wimbledon both win – both sides at that point were drawing.

Play-off hopefuls Tranmere went a goal up at Prenton Park, David Nugent getting a 67th-minute opener against Barrow. It was good news for Grimsby fans, who need Barrow to lose to keep their survival chances alive.

On the 71st minute, Kieffer Moore put Cardiff City back in front, meaning that Wycombe would be relegated.

Shortly after that went in, Josh Coburn made it 2-1 to Middlesbrough against Sheffield Wednesday, it wouldn’t however mean that the Owls would be relegated, for now.

On the 76th minute, a big goal was scored for Southend who took the lead against Leyton Orient, manager Phil Brown getting a yellow card, really showing how heated it was getting on the touchline. The Shrimpers would stay up at this point.

The 80th minute saw Ryan Edmondson get a goal back for Northampton, who at the time trailed 2-1 at Gillingham. However, Fraser Horsfall got an equaliser to give them a glimmer of hope of surviving the drop.

Also with 20 minutes remaining, Grimsby went ahead at Oldham with Jay Matete the goal scorer. By this point, neither Grimsby or Southend were going down.

A sucker punch for Derby on the 84th minute saw a superb header from Lukas Jutkiewicz put Wayne Rooney’s side right back in trouble.

Fortunately for the Rams, all the teams below them are also losing but it looks like the survival fight at the bottom of the Championship is going to be interesting for at least another week with no one going down today.

With minutes of the 90 remaining, Hull went into the lead at Lincoln, Mallik Wilks’ penalty meaning they’re promoted!

In the 81st minute, Duncan Watmore scrambled the ball over from close range after Yannick Bolasie headed down Paddy McNair’s header. Wednesday needed Birmingham to hold on at Derby now.

Northampton scored and they’re now level at Gillingham. A crucial goal that could be for Fraser Horsfall, who’s scored in the 83rd minute.

Watford sealed their promotion with a 1-0 win over Millwall. They are back in the Premier League.

Hull have beaten Lincoln 2-1, and you know what that means – they have sealed promotion back up to the Championship. What a comeback for Grant McCann’s side.

The full-time whistle goes at MK Dons, who have beaten Swindon 5-0 to seal the Robins’ fate.

They’ve been relegated to League Two following that defeat.

FULL TIME | STATE OF PLAY
2 promoted and 2 relegated in the EFL
– Watford promoted to the Premier League, won 1-0 against Millwall
– Hull promoted to the Championship, win 2-1 at Lincoln
– Swindon relegated to League Two, lost 5-0 at MK Dons
– Bristol Rovers relegated to League Two, lost 1-0 at Portsmouth

🚨 BREAKING🚨

Hull City are promoted back to the Championship! 👏 pic.twitter.com/23xqxjMn3J

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) April 24, 2021