The final day of action in the English Football League is usually a wild affair, and Saturday has been no different, with history being made. Leeds United captured the Championship title over Burnley on goal difference, but what’s even more astonishing is that both clubs accumulated 100 points. It’s the first time ever that two clubs have accumulated 100 points in the same division. Along with Birmingham City’s centurian season, this is also the most teams ever to accumulate 100 points in the EFL at the same time.
It took until stoppage time for Manor Solomon to secure the winner for Leeds in a 2-1 victory over relegated Plymouth Argyle, but it won’t matter how long it took, as late goals have been critical to their success during this season. The promotion playoffs are also set with Sheffield United, Sunderland, Coventry City, and Bristol City, who will face each other on the road to the richest game in sport at Wembley Stadium with a place in the Premier League on the line.
Coventry have been in strong form under Frank Lampard who oversaw a run of eight wins in nine matches from January to March to push the Sky Blues up the table. They’ll have a tough job in getting past Sunderland, but with the wobbles that the young Black Cats have experienced to end the season, form will favor Lampard’s men. After falling out of the race for the title, Sheffield United will need to take the playoff route to return to the Premier League, but if it doesn’t happen, they can take solace in Leeds United losing the playoff final last season before winning the league this season. Bristol City, meanwhile needed to stage a dramatic two-goal comeback on Saturday to secure their place with a draw against Preston North End.
Luton Town have also suffered back-to-back relegations after coming down from the Premier League and landing in League One next season. They’ll join Plymouth and Cardiff City as the teams that head down to the third division. Things are now set in all the divisions after some chaos left and right.
Bradford City punched their ticket to League One in dramatic fashion with Antoni Sarcevic scoring in the 96th minute of play. The fans, thinking the game was over, stormed the pitch, causing the match to be suspended until it could be cleared. The PA announcer did his best to tell fans to get back to their seats and clear the pitch but players had to go back to the locker room for their safety before being able to play out the final minute and close things out. Due to that red card for celebration, Sarcevic will also be suspended for the first game of the League One season as well.
The race for the final spot in the Championship will be a fight as the League One playoffs are set. Stockport County and Leyton Orient have been some of the hottest teams in soccer, while Charlton has also pushed up the table. Promotion playoffs can favor the hottest team in the division but when three of the four teams have been playing excellent soccer as of late, it could make for quite an affair to see who makes their way to the Championship.
Let’s take a look at how the EFL shook out and the playoff schedules which can all be seen on Paramount+:
Promoted to the Premier League
Qualified for Championship Playoffs
- Bristol City
- Sheffield United
- Coventry City
- Sunderland
Championship playoff schedule
Thursday, May 8
- Bristol City vs. Sheffield United, 3 p.m. ET
Friday, May 9
- Coventry City vs. Sunderland, 3 p.m. ET
Monday, May 12
- Sheffield United vs. Bristol City, 3 p.m. ET
Tuesday, May 13
- Sunderland vs. Coventry City, 3 p.m. ET
Saturday, May 24
- Championship Playoff final
Relegated to League One
- Luton Town
- Plymouth Argyle
- Cardiff City
Promoted to the Championship
Qualified for League One playoffs
- Stockport County
- Charlton Athletic
- Wycombe Wanderers
- Leyton Orient
League One playoff schedule
Saturday, May 10
- Leyton Orient vs. Stockport County, 7:30 a.m. ET
Sunday, May 11
- Wycombe Wanderers vs. Charlton Athletic, 1:30 p.m. ET
Wednesday, May 14
- Stockport County vs. Leyton Orient, 3 p.m. ET
Thursday, May 15
- Charlton Athletic vs. Wycombe Wanderers, 3 p.m. ET
Sunday, May 25
Relegated to League Two
- Cambridge United
- Shrewsbury Town
- Bristol Rovers
- Crawley Town
Promoted to League One
- Doncaster Rovers
- Port Vale
- Bradford City
Qualified for League Two playoffs
- Walsall
- AFC Wimbledon
- Notts County
- Chesterfield
League Two playoff schedule
Sunday, May 11
- Chsterfield vs. Walsall, 8:30 a.m. ET
- Notts County vs. AFC Wilmeldon, 1:30 p.m. ET
Friday, May 16
- Walsall vs. Chesterfield, 3 p.m. ET
Saturday, May 17
- AFC Wimbledon vs. Notts County, 7:30 a.m.
Monday, May 26