Leeds v Stoke in Championship and more from EFL: football – live

Championship: Middlesbrough squander their penalty opportunity against Sheffield Wednesday, failing to extend their advantage.

Leeds extend their lead to three! Joel Piroe scores from close range at the far post, achieving his first hat-trick in English football. It appears nothing can halt Leeds now!

Championship: Middlesbrough are awarded a penalty against Sheffield Wednesday after Hayden Hackney is fouled by Svante Ingelsson. Play is paused as Ingelsson receives medical attention.

League One: Peterborough United take the lead against Barnsley at Oakwell, with Ricky-Jade Jones securing his 18th goal of the season. At the LNER Stadium, James Collins converts a penalty, extending Lincoln City’s advantage to 2-0 over Bolton Wanderers.

Fan Reaction: Joshua Reynolds, a Stoke supporter, expresses the frustration felt by fans unable to attend Elland Road, lamenting, “Like every other Stoke fan who can’t get to Elland Road today, I will be spending the 90 minutes (plus stoppage time) holding my head in my hands and weeping while crying out ‘How has it gone so wrong?!’”

League One Developments: Lloyd Jones finds the net for Charlton Athletic against Wycombe Wanderers, elevating them to fourth place in the current standings. Simultaneously at the Memorial Stadium, Jamie Reid scores in the 12th minute, granting Stevenage a 1-0 lead over Bristol Rovers.

Championship Updates: Millwall take a 1-0 lead over Norwich City after Femi Azeez’s cross deflects off teammate Mihailo Ivanovic’s knee into the goal. It remains uncertain if Ivanovic intended the deflection.

Switching focus to Finn Azaz, who puts Middlesbrough ahead in their away match against Sheffield Wednesday.

Championship Action: Leeds United extend their advantage over Stoke City. Joel Piroe scores his second goal within three minutes, mirroring his first with a strike from a similar distance. This marks his return to scoring form after a drought of 10 games.

Championship: Derby County have taken the lead against West Brom, with Ebou Adams heading in a corner at the near post. Concurrently at Elland Road, Joel Piroe volleys home a cross from Manor Solomon from eight yards, putting Leeds ahead against Stoke City.

League Two: Ossama Ashley scores the opening goal of the afternoon in the third minute at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium. Salford City are now leading against Morecambe, who desperately require a win to avoid relegation from the Football League.

Imminent Kick-offs: Get ready – the 3pm matches are just moments away from commencing.

Fan Perspective: Jeremy Boyce, a Leeds supporter, shares a sentiment common among fans unable to attend Elland Road: “Like every other Leeds fan who can’t get to Elland Road today, I will be spending the 90 minutes (plus stoppage time) wondering whether to pay attention to the match, go and do something else to forget about it, or hide behind the settee.”

He continues, highlighting past disappointments: “They’ve managed to blow it at the vital moment so many times, last season in the play-off final for instance. Has there ever been a more ‘nearly’ team ? Under Revie they were constantly going for doubles or trebles only to emerge empty handed at the end of it all.”

Boyce also contemplates historical what-ifs: “I have often wondered how their narrative might have turned out completely different if Peter Lorimer’s volley in the 1975 European Cup final, that was ruled out for a dubious off-side, had been allowed.”

Reflecting on modern technology, he adds, “You can say what you like about VAR, they would have sorted that one out quick time and we’d maybe have won the cup. The champagne is in the fridge, just off to do something vitally important at the far end of the garden, forgetting my phone in the kitchen.”

The blog post humorously remarks on the potential outcome: “All that stress, just for the privilege of seeing your team get gubbed week in and week out in the Premier League next season, eh?” Adding an interesting note, it mentions, “Interestingly, Harry Gray, the 16-year-old brother of Tottenham Hotspur’s Archie, is on the bench for Leeds today and could make his senior debut for the club.”

League Two Update: Newport County and Walsall concluded their match at Rodney Parade in a scoreless draw, despite Newport playing with 10 men after Ciaran Brennan’s dismissal in the 78th minute.

Walsall believed they had secured a win at the last moment, but Oisin McEntee’s late goal was disallowed in the 12th minute of added time for handball. Despite scoring with his hand when a header appeared a simpler option, the linesman’s sharp observation and courageous decision prevented the goal.

Although Walsall secures a point, it propels them back into the automatic promotion positions, now third above Bradford City based on goal difference, having played one more game.

Having once led the division, the Saddlers are currently on a 12-game winless streak. Newport, in 18th place, solidify their League Two status with this draw.

Cardiff City Managerial Change: Cardiff City, positioned second from bottom in the Championship, are set to play Oxford United this afternoon. Following the dismissal of Omer Riza on Saturday, Aaron Ramsey has taken charge, tasked with steering Cardiff away from relegation with only three games remaining in the season.

The 34-year-old midfielder’s playing career remains on hold due to a hamstring injury sustained in March, adding to his history of such injuries.

Pre-Match Audio Recommendation: For those seeking pre-match entertainment, the Guardian’s Football Weekly podcast offers engaging discussion. Topics in today’s episode, hosted by Max Rushden and featuring Barney Ronay, Jonathan Wilson, and Barry Glendenning, include: a hypothetical scenario involving Leicester’s goal-scoring drought versus Shakespearean tragedies; the acceptability of biased commentary; and a comparison between Barney Ronay and Chelsea’s manager Enzo Maresca.

Listeners can access the podcast here and subscribe through standard podcast platforms.

Promotion Race: Burnley is poised for promotion tonight with a victory over Sheffield United. Leeds United could also secure a Premier League spot today if they defeat Stoke City and Sheffield United fail to secure maximum points.

Playoff contention remains open for teams down to 11th-placed Swansea City. Sunderland has already secured a playoff berth, alongside one of Burnley, Leeds United, or Sheffield United. Bristol City could clinch a playoff position today if they overcome Luton and Middlesbrough suffer a defeat against Sheffield Wednesday.

Relegation Battle: Relegation outcomes are still undecided today, with the battle expected to extend until at least the penultimate round of fixtures this weekend. Currently, Plymouth Argyle, Cardiff City, and Luton Town are in the relegation zone, but teams as high as 16th place are still at risk of dropping to League One next season.

• Cardiff City v Oxford United

• Hull City v Preston

• Leeds United v Stoke City

• Luton Town v Bristol City

• Milwall v Norwich City

• Plymouth Argyle v Coventry City

• Portsmouth v Watford

• QPR v Swansea City

• Sheffield United v Middlesbrough

• Sunderland v Blackburn Rovers

• West Brom v Derby County

• Burnley v Sheffield Utd (5.30pm BST)

• View the Championship table

Promotion Scenarios: Birmingham City are set to be crowned champions, while Wycombe Wanderers hold a narrow one-point edge over Wrexham for the second automatic promotion spot. Stockport County and Charlton Athletic are close behind and could still challenge for automatic promotion.

Wrexham, Wycombe, and Charlton are assured of at least a playoff spot. The remaining two playoff positions are contested by Stockport and teams down to 10th-placed Blackpool.

Relegation Zone: Shrewsbury Town are confirmed for relegation. Crawley Town, Cambridge United, and Bristol Rovers currently occupy the remaining relegation spots. Both Crawley and Cambridge are in danger of being relegated today.

Crawley Town, hosting Exeter City, must at least match the results of Bristol Rovers and Burton Albion, who face Stevenage and champions Birmingham City, respectively. Cambridge United’s situation is similar; they are slightly ahead in 22nd place after defeating Huddersfield but remain vulnerable. Even a defeat to Leyton Orient might not seal their relegation if Burton or Rovers fail to win.

Currently, clubs from 15th place downwards, including Stevenage, Wigan Athletic, Peterborough United, Mansfield Town, Northampton Town, and Burton Albion, could still face relegation to League Two next season.

• Barnsley v Peterborough United

• Blackpool v Wrexham

• Bristol Rovers v Stevenage

• Burton Albion v Birmingham City

• Cambridge United v Leyton Orient

• Crawley Town v Exeter City

• Lincoln City v Bolton Wanderers

• Mansfield Town v Reading

• Northampton v Shrewsbury

• Stockport County v Huddersfield

• Wigan Athletic v Rotherham

• Wycombe v Charlton Athletic

• View the League One table

Promotion Battle: The top four teams in League Two – Port Vale, Doncaster Rovers, Bradford City, and Walsall – are in a tight race for three automatic promotion places, separated by merely three points. AFC Wimbledon, Notts County, Colchester United, Grimsby Town, Chesterfield, and Salford City remain in contention for automatic promotion, albeit with varying degrees of likelihood.

Port Vale, guaranteed at least a playoff spot, could secure automatic promotion today if they win, Bradford City and Doncaster Rovers both lose, and AFC Wimbledon drop points. Playoff spots are still attainable for teams from ninth to 13th – Chesterfield, Salford City, Crewe, Swindon Town, and Bromley.

Relegation Threat: Every team from 18th place downwards remains at risk of relegation, with Morecambe and Carlisle United currently occupying the drop zones. Teams facing potential relegation include Tranmere Rovers, Accrington Stanley, Harrogate Town, MK Dons, and Newport County.

Morecambe’s League Two status is critically endangered and will be lost unless they defeat Salford City. Even a victory might not suffice if 22nd-placed Tranmere Rovers also win their match against Barrow. Carlisle United will also face relegation if they lose to Accrington Stanley and Tranmere Rovers win.

• Newport County 0-0 Walsall (L)

• Accrington Stanley v Carlisle

• Barrow v Tranmere Rovers

• Chesterfield v Bradford City

• Crewe Alexandra v MK Dons

• Doncaster Rovers v Colchester

• Gillingham v AFC Wimbledon

• Harrogate v Fleetwood Town

• Morecambe v Salford City

• Notts County v Cheltenham

• Port Vale v Grimsby Town

• Swindon Town v Bromley

• View the League Two table

Greetings and welcome to our live coverage of today’s EFL Football League action. Anticipate a day filled with drama, excitement, and pivotal moments across the Championship, League One, and League Two.

With the season reaching its climax and only three rounds of matches remaining in most divisions, much is at stake today. Promotion dreams could be realized, relegation fears intensified, and playoff races further defined as fates are potentially sealed across the Football League landscape.

For those still recovering from weekend festivities, navigating the intricate permutations at both ends of each league table might seem daunting. However, rest assured, we aim to deliver comprehensive updates, ensuring you remain informed and engaged with all crucial developments.

Stay with us throughout the afternoon as we provide real-time updates and analysis, keeping you abreast of all the key events as they unfold across the EFL. Let the drama commence!