Summary

  • FT: Aston Villa 2-2 Sheffield United

  • Donaldson scores twice for Blades

  • Adomah (pen) & Jedinak header for Villa

  • Wolves beat Ipswich to open up seven point gap at top

  • Bolton beat second-placed Cardiff

  • Derby up to third with win over Millwall

  • Bristol City draw at QPR

  • Leaders Wigan hammer Oxford 7-0 away in League One

  1. Postpublished at 15:26 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2017

    Sunderland 1-1 Birmingham City

    So Lewis Grabban has the same number of league goals this season as Birmingham City.

    Seriously. That's true.

  2. goal

    GOAL: Derby 1-0 Millwallpublished at 15:25 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2017

    David Nugent (23 mins)

    Near-post corner sent in, David Nugent nudges it past Millwall goalkeeper Jordan Archer.

    Deadlock broken. Millwall's early enterprise in vain? Plenty of time left at least for them.

  3. goal

    GOAL: Sunderland 1-1 Birmingham Citypublished at 15:22 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2017

    Lewis Grabban (21 mins)

    Lewis Grabban goalImage source, Rex Features

    Sunderland get back on terms! Lewis Grabban nets at the far post and that's his 12th goal of the season.

    Birmingham were only in front for five minutes.

  4. League Two latestpublished at 15:22 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2017

    Long haul, great times for Crawley Town, who lead 2-0 at Accrington Stanley.

    Nice trip to Crewe for Swindon as well, they lead 3-0 at Gresty Road, party time. I'm told the great chippy outside the Alex ground is no more, sadly. The scoreline should ease that disappointment.

  5. Postpublished at 15:21 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2017

    Sunderland 0-1 Birmingham City

    There's a long way to go still this afternoon, obviously, but that scoreline lifts Birmingham out of the relegation places as it stands, above Sunderland.

    The Blues started the day bottom of the Championship.

    It's a huge game for both struggling sides at the Stadium of Light.

    Birmingham celebrationImage source, Rex Features
  6. CLOSE!published at 15:19 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2017

    Derby 0-0 Millwall

    Superb chance for Neil Harris' Lions who have really set about Derby thus far.

    Aiden O'Brien sent a shot fizzing over the top, just, after Curtis Davies had denied Neil Gregory on the line.

    Rams keeping their line honest for the moment, but Millwall definitely the side with the momentum.

  7. goal

    GOAL: Sunderland 0-1 Birmingham Citypublished at 15:17 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2017

    Sam Gallagher (16 mins)

    Sam Gallagher goalImage source, Rex Features

    A rare away goal for Birmingham! On-loan Southampton striker Sam Gallagher, after seeing his initial effort saved, scores on the rebound.

    That's his second goal in two games - both rebounds.

    Just the start that Steve Cotterill's bottom of the table side needed.

  8. Postpublished at 15:17 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2017

    Wolves 0-0 Ipswich

    Unsurprisingly Wolves are dominating possession at Molineux, but there have been no clear cut chances for either side in the opening 15 minutes.

    Away teams tend to sit back. Nuno's men will have to find a way to unlock the Tractor Boys.

  9. Postpublished at 15:16 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2017

    Bolton 0-0 Cardiff

    Fairly tame stuff from the Macron Stadium so far, as second-bottom plays second top.

    Bolton have had one effort, I refuse to call it a chance, as Sammy Ameobi has a speculative dig from distance which Neil Etheridge gathers simply.

    Bluebirds defender Greg Halford has taken a whack in the chops, perhaps the most eventful act of the first 15 minutes.

  10. League One latestpublished at 15:14 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2017

    Plymouth goalImage source, Rex Features

    In League One, Plymouth are already 2-0 up at home to Oldham. What did the Pilgrims have for breakfast, eh?

    Meanwhile, Will Grigg has put leaders Wigan ahead at Oxford.

  11. Postpublished at 15:12 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2017

    Derby 0-0 Millwall

    The form book suggested Derby might make mincemeat of Millwall. Certainly Radio Derby summariser Craig Ramage was in confident mood before kick-off predicting a 3-0..

    However, Millwall, without an away win this season in the Championship, have started brightly. Pushing the ball around with purpose.

    That said, decent chance for Derby striker Matej Vydra who fired wide after excellent work from Craig Forsyth down the left.

    Decent start at Pride Park.

  12. GREAT SAVE!published at 15:11 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2017

    Sunderland 0-0 Birmingham City

    Birmingham almost open the scoring as Jonathan Grounds jumps well to meet a Craig Gardner corner, but it's a top save from the Black Cats keeper to keep it out.

  13. Postpublished at 15:09 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2017

    QPR 0-0 Bristol City

    QPR v Bristol CityImage source, Rex Features

    Will Carabao Cup semi-finalists Bristol City be suffering from something of a hangover today?

    Their dramatic win over Manchester United came less than 72 hours ago.

    But they've made a relatively bright start.

  14. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 15:07 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2017

    What would you like Santa to bring your club? #bbcefl

    We're asking what you would like Santa Claus to bring your club for Christmas?

    A new forward? A clean sheet? Just a single point?

    Get in touch using #bbcefl on social media platforms.

    Santa selfieImage source, Rex Features
  15. goal

    FIRST GOAL OF THE 15:00 GAMESpublished at 15:06 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2017

    Peterborough 1-0 Bury (Danny Lloyd, 3 mins)

    After three minutes, the Posh get the first goal of the 15:00 games.

    We are officially up and running now folks.

  16. Postpublished at 15:02 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2017

    Sunderland 0-0 Birmingham City

    Steve Cotterill's Blues side have scored just four goals in his 11 matches in charge prior to today's game.

    Today, they're searching for their second away goal during his tenure so far.

    This morning, the Blues board gave him their "full backing" in an official statement.

  17. Postpublished at 15:02 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2017

    Wolves 0-0 Ipswich

    The game begins at Molineux.

    Championship leaders Wolves were frustrated by Sunderland in a goalless draw in their last home game.

    They'll want to get back to winning ways today against a decent Ipswich side.

  18. KICK-OFFpublished at 15:00 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2017

    Here we go then! Around the grounds, play is now getting under way.

    Best of luck to you, whoever you support.

  19. Listen livepublished at 14:58 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2017

    BBC local radio

    Rights restrictions mean we can't bring you audio commentary of today's games online, but you can of course tune in to your match on BBC local radio in your local area.

    Paul JewellImage source, Rex Features
  20. Postpublished at 14:56 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2017

    Right, Messrs Tom Garry and Matt Newsum have joined me to see this busy afternoon of EFL football through.

    Tom will be following QPR against Bristol City and Sunderland v Birmingham closely.

    Mr Newsum is all over Bolton against Cardiff and Derby v Millwall.

    I'll be across proceedings from Molineux where leaders Wolves take on Ipswich.

    We'll also bring you every Championship goal and all the big stories from Leagues One and Two.