May’s EFL playoffs ties are confirmed with TV selections set to be announced following the conclusion of the League One games.
The final set of games of the regular season played out in the third tier on Sunday afternoon, promotion and relegation already done with.
This time it was all about the playoffs, who would play who, which four teams would be confirmed for it, who gets that final spot?
Lincoln City, Blackpool and Sunderland already confirmed their place, leaving for Portsmouth, Oxford United and Charlton Athletic to fight it out.
Pompey would secure a play-off place if they win at home to Accrington.
A point would also be enough for Danny Cowley’s side at Fratton Park if Oxford and Charlton fail to win. A defeat would also be good enough should Oxford lose and Charlton fail to win.
Oxford would book a play-off place if they win at home to Burton, Portsmouth fail to win and Charlton don;t beat Hull by five more goals than Oxford’s win over Burton.
A point would also be enough if Portsmouth lose and Charlton fail to win.
Charlton would seal their playoff spot if they win at home to champions Hull, and Portsmouth and Oxford fail to win.
They would also secure it if they beat Hull by five more goals than Oxford’s win over Burton, and Portsmouth fail to win.
HOW IT PLAYED OUT:
With the EFL playoffs ties confirmed and TV selections announced, here’s who plays who and when…
Oxford United found their opener first, breaking quickly from a Tom Hamer long throw.
Elliot Lee found Mark Sykes who slipped the ball wide to Sam Long.
His driven cross was met on the full by Mide Shodipo whose header was unsaveable to give United the lead – meaning the U’s were in the playoffs at it stood on the 10th minute.
Gooooooooolllllllll do #OxfordUnited
In the playoffs as it stands!#OUFC #COYY #BAFC #FigueiraOxford pic.twitter.com/wZuVHBJxPo— Robert John Rolph Bedding (@RolphBedding) May 9, 2021
Toby Savin had some work to do for Accrington in the opening stages of the game against Portsmouth, first of all blocking from John Marquis after he was put through on an acute angle.
Then he punched away Marcus Harness’ swinging corner. Marquis swamped.
Harness then whipped in a set-piece which was well dealt with by the Stanley defence. 0-0 on the 15th minute.
Hull didn’t torment Charlton despite already being crowned champions, and Ben Amos had to be smart to deny Josh Magennis to keep the score level.
Charlton knew Oxford’s goal would be a major blow, as they already had an inferior goal difference before considering bettering their result.
Oxford started with a strong threat. Shodipo weaved his way into the box and had a shot blocked, then put in a magnificent cross from the left, right into that area of uncertainty, which Matty Taylor failed to divert into the goal.
The 22nd minute, Accrington played with plenty of confidence, and got their reward when the ball is worked around the box, touched into Adam Phillips in acres of space in the box and his fierce drive ripped into the top scorner beyond Craig MacGillivray.
Definitely advantage Oxford, who themselves went up 2-0 thanks to Matty Taylor.
A long ball up to Olamide Shodipo was touched to Ollie Lee, who then gave it back to the winger but the shot was blocked and looped up, went towards Burton goalkeeper Dillon Barnes, though in nipped Taylor to guide it into the back of the net with a powerful header.
Games still in play.
Goooooooolllll do #OxfordUnited
Meu deus de céu
Sorte abrir mto commentary and squeaky voice!#OUFC #COYY #FigueiraOxford pic.twitter.com/DSV8B8RNlZ— Robert John Rolph Bedding (@RolphBedding) May 9, 2021
Craig MacGillivray had to stretch every part of him to save thunderous free-kick by Adam Phillips on the 30th minute.
Accrington very close to getting a second. Running the show at this point and Portsmouth can’t get into a rhythm.
MacGillivray was tasked with countless amount of dangerous crosses into the penalty area.
Portsmouth couldn’t get out of their own end of the field, it was a repeated wave after wave.
John Coleman said in his pre-match interview he would come to Fratton Park to win and his side have been as good as his word in the first half.
On the stroke of half time, Paul Downing fouled Dion Charles, and Accrington got a free-kick which was whipped in brilliantly to the back post and there was Colby Bishop to head it in. Accrington celebrate but the flag is up. No goal.
HALF TIME | STATE OF PLAY
Oxford United book a League One playoff place (2-0 up against Burton)
Portsmouth drop out of the playoff places (Losing 1-0 against Accrington)
Charlton Athletic unable to get in the playoffs (Drawing 0-0 with Hull)
www.fanbanter.co.uk – Fan reaction to the latest football news, gossip & funnies
Well this isn’t going to plan for Portsmouth… 😬
Accrington work it nicely before an outstanding finish by Adam Phillips! 🚀
Watch live on Sky Sports Football 📺 pic.twitter.com/ejIKIqqN9R
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 9, 2021
A much brighter start for Portsmouth in the second half, seen an opening down the right and it was a ball down the right for Marcus Harness who saw his cross turned behind.
Then, a corner is headed away by Cameron Burgess and as the second ball is contested, Lee Brown fouled Colby Bishop for a silly free-kick. Dion Charles then tested Craig MacGillivray with a low shot.
Roughly the same time, Charlton hit the frame of the goal through Jayden Stockley, as he connected with Liam Millar’s cross but it was onto the bar and away to safety.
On the 58th minute, just as it went all quiet at the Kassam Stadium, Oxford made it 3-0.
Elliot Lee took a low free kick, the wall jumped and Barnes can only push it against the post before it rebounds over the line. All eyes on the Portsmouth v Accrington game. At this point, the U’s still getting that last playoff place.
On the 75th minute, Jacob Greaves scored an own goal, giving Charlton the lead against Hull.
Pompey fall to 8th at this point, Charlton go above them, and level on points with Oxford, however the U’s goal difference is enough to see them still in the playoffs.
FULL TIME | STATE OF PLAY
Oxford United book a League One playoff place (4-0 up against Burton)
Portsmouth drop out of the playoff places (Lost 1-0 against Accrington)
Charlton Athletic unable to get in the playoffs (Won 1-0 against Hull)
www.fanbanter.co.uk – Fan reaction to the latest football news, gossip & funnies
Portsmouth’s play-off attempt crumbles on the final day and Oxford sneak in through the backdoor!
Watch the reaction live on Sky Sports Football 📺 pic.twitter.com/CUgjRNZs6e
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 9, 2021
CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYOFF TIES
Monday 17th May 2021 – AFC Bournemouth v Brentford – Championship Playoff Semi-Final 1st Leg – 18:00 – Sky Sports Football
Monday 17th May 2021 – Barnsley v Swansea City – Championship Playoff Semi Final 1st Leg – 20:15 – Sky Sports Football
Saturday 22nd May 2021 – Brentford v AFC Bournemouth – Championship Playoff Semi Final 2nd Leg – 12:30 – Sky Sports Football
Saturday 22nd May 2021 – Swansea City v Barnsley – Championship Playoff Semi Final 2nd Leg – 17:30 – Sky Sports Football
Saturday 29th May 2021 – Championship Playoff Final – 15:00 – Sky Sports Main Event / Sky Sports Football / Sky Sports Ultra HD
LEAGUE ONE PLAYOFF TIES
Semi-final first leg A – Blackpool v Oxford Tuesday, May 18, 18:00 BST
Semi-final first leg B – Sunderland v Lincoln – Wednesday, May 19, 18:00 BST
Semi-final second leg A – Oxford v Blackpool – Friday, May 21, 19:45 BST
Semi-final second leg B – Lincoln v Sunderland – Saturday, May 22, 15:00 BST
Play-off final – Sunday, May 30, 15:00 BST
LEAGUE TWO PLAYOFF TIES
Tuesday 18th May 2021 – Newport County v Forest Green Rovers – League Two Playoff Semi-Final 1st Leg – 20:15 – Sky Sports Football
Thursday 20th May 2021 – Tranmere Rovers v Morecambe – League Two Playoff Semi-Final 1st Leg – 18:00 – Sky Sports Football
Sunday 23rd May 2021 – Morecambe v Tranmere Rovers – League Two Playoff Semi-Final 2nd Leg – 12:30 – Sky Sports Football
Sunday 23rd May 2021 – Forest Green Rovers v Newport County – League Two Playoff Semi-Final 2nd Leg – 18:30 – Sky Sports Football
Monday 31st May 2021 – League Two Playoff Final – 15:00 – Sky Sports Main Event / Sky Sports Football / Sky Sports Ultra HD
REACTION ON OXFORD’S TWEET:
@Ryanarm5trong42 (Accrington fan): Win the play offs now
@cafc___: Well done lads. Well deserved
@Ryan_Walker2172: Play off bound, never in doubt #OUFC #Heroes
@StephenWedge: Get in there f…ing awesome
@pompey_in: Congratulations. You deserved it more than we did, that’s for sure 👏
@cole_qpr: Congrats!
@lloydhathaway1: It’s looking fucking good!!!!
@s_mlewispfc: Fair fucks lads, wasn’t for us, go on and smash it
@RickoPFC: Congrats lads, you deserve it. Good luck for the play offs
@_JRedpath: Robbo you fucking legend, what a job he’s done to bring this back
@Bomberharris77: So pleased that the boys all turned up and played the footy we’ve been playing all season. Just need to keep this going for three more games!!! Well done to the lads, the gaffer and his team. #OUFC
Yelllooowwwws pic.twitter.com/gOApEMIPvl
— biamou (@Poppy_Alexa) May 9, 2021
REACTION ON POMPEY’S TWEET:
@pafc_brad: Hahahahahahaha bottle jobs see you next season
@jack_lowes: Catlin has to go. Play offs were absolute minimum this season and his refusal to sack Jackett when it matterd has cost us big time. #CatlinOut
@Rich03832303: Absolutely gutless. Just didn’t look up for it. How any footballer can not be fired up for a must win game is beyond me. Clear the decks and start again. @RonanCurtis1 only one with any fight and passion today.
@DanArnold96: I have never seen such a gutless, heartless and quite frankly appalling football performance like that from my team. I’m sorry, big changes needed if we are to be going anywhere anytime soon.
@PaulBro94891384: Well played Accrington. Good bye to the Pompey deadwood.
@noodlewoodle: Curtis starts acting frustrated From the kick off.. doesn’t help the rest of the team. Too many players getting the ball and not even looking up. Laying it off to no one. Best thing About today is clearing out jackets negative moulded bottle job players. No passion, fire or spine
@IngsIsKing: HAHAHAHAHA TINPOT WANKERS ENJOY LEAGUE ONE AGAIN
@Jamesr02_: Absolutely disgraceful. So many of our players not fit to wear the shirt. Give the Cowley’s a new contract as they deserve it, but we need a massive player clearout this summer
— Charlie (@CharlieBFIELD) May 9, 2021
Couldn’t have happened to a nicer set of supporters 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/HnebQYO4Ne
— Jack Gilmore (@15jgilmore) May 9, 2021
— benj🚀 (@HRbenj) May 9, 2021
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