Summary

  • West Brom go top of table with win over Derby

  • Swansea a point off play-offs after win at Birmingham

  • Preston score three times late on to beat Sheff Wed and boost play-off bid

  • Troubled Wigan beat QPR, Hull in bottom three after loss at Bristol City

  • Struggling Middlesbrough beat Millwall in early game to climb out of drop zone

  • Get involved using #bbcefl on social media

  1. Postpublished at 18:19 British Summer Time 8 July 2020

    Bristol City 0-0 Hull

    Bristol City on the attack as Famara Diedhiou slips in Nahki Wells, but his shot sizzles over the top to safety.

    Meanwhile, it's not just Bristol City in the wars, as Hull skipper Jordy de Wijs has been down having treatment following another physical collision.

    These centre-halves don't let up.

    Jordy de Wijs receives treatmentImage source, Getty Images
  2. SUBSTITUTION (West Brom)published at 58 mins

    West Brom 1-0 Derby

    As heavy rain continues to pour down at The Hawthorns, Charlie Austin is brought off for a rest.

    Slaven Bilic sends on Wales' Hal Robson-Kanu up front instead.

  3. Postpublished at 55 mins

    West Brom 1-0 Derby

    After sixth-placed Cardiff were beaten last night, Derby would go level with their play-off rivals if they could battle back and turn this game around to win tonight.

    But they've not showed any signs that they're going to do that just yet. West Brom are creating most of the chances.

  4. SUBSTITUTION (West Brom)published at 51 mins

    West Brom 1-0 Derby

    This is a shame for the hosts. Grady Diangana looks to be in a little bit of pain as he goes off the field. He walks off though, at least.

    Callum Robinson comes on instead.

  5. goal

    GOAL: Birmingham 1-1 Swanseapublished at 18:12 British Summer Time 8 July 2020

    Rhian Brewster (12 mins)

    Swansea celebrateImage source, PA Media

    That didn't last long for Birmingham, as Swansea quickly recovered and got on the front foot and have been rewarded.

    Rhian Brewster had gone close moments before he half-volleyed a knockdown from a Conor Gallagher cross past Lee Camp.

    Lovely goal.

  6. Postpublished at 18:11 British Summer Time 8 July 2020

    Wigan 0-0 QPR

    Administrator Gerald Krasner said the Wigan players were "with the club" when asked about their reduction in pay during administration, and it is evident how committed they are by their start to the game.

    Kal Naismith tested out Joe Lumley in the Rangers goal with a shot that went behind for a corner and before that Jamal Lowe forced another save.

    Naismith denied again! This time attacking Kieffer Moore's cross.

    Wigan v QPRImage source, Rex Features
  7. GREAT SAVE!published at 50 mins

    West Brom 1-0 Derby

    Ben Hamer does really well here to keep Derby only one goal down, getting down low to save from Matheus Pereira's well-struck effort.

  8. Postpublished at 18:08 British Summer Time 8 July 2020

    Bristol City 0-0 Hull City

    Early set-back for Bristol City as Nathan Baker is injured having clashed heads while stretching for a header.

    Zak Vyner is brought on a replacement.

    Fingers crossed Baker's ok.

  9. Second halfpublished at 46 mins

    West Brom 1-0 Derby

    Meanwhile, there are 45 minutes left at The Hawthorns, where West Brom are aiming to go top of the table - and doing so, as it stands, ahead of Leeds hosting Stoke on Thursday.

  10. goal

    GOAL: Birmingham 1-0 Swanseapublished at 18:05 British Summer Time 8 July 2020

    Lukas Jutkiewicz (5 mins)

    Lukas Jutkiewicz scores for BirminghamImage source, Getty Images

    Big start for Birmingham who snatch the lead against Swansea!

    It came from a corner, ball turned into the box, nodded across goal and there was Lukas Jutkiewicz to power a header into the back of the net.

    Blues up and running.

  11. KICK-OFFpublished at 18:00 British Summer Time 8 July 2020

    #bbcefl

    Birmingham and Swansea players take a kneeImage source, Getty Images

    Kick-off is getting under way at Ashton Gate, the DW Stadium and St Andrew's right now.

    We'll keep you up to date with the goals and major incidents, as well as focusing on West Brom's visit of Derby.

  12. Swans sense play-off opportunitypublished at 17:59 British Summer Time 8 July 2020

    Birmingham v Swansea (18:00 BST)

    Swansea CityImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

    Having seen Millwall lose at home to Middlesbrough and Derby 1-0 down at West Brom, Swans boss Steve Cooper will be geeing his players up not to pass up the opportunity of possibly moving up to seventh tonight.

    They've been decent since the restart, a shock defeat by strugglers Luton aside, and come up against a Blues side who are without a win since February.

    Birmingham were dogged against Fulham but were undone late on, to draw them back into the relegation dogfight, while a timely return to form tonight would give them some valuable breathing space.

    Which Birmingham side will turn up? That's the key... The one that held West Brom and kept fighting to score three against Hull? Or the one that surrendered to fellow strugglers Huddersfield?

  13. Hull need result to escape bottom threepublished at 17:57 British Summer Time 8 July 2020

    Bristol City v Hull (18:00 BST)

    Hull City warm upImage source, Rex Features

    Hull City's players have had a gauntlet laid down to them by Middlesbrough's win, which puts Grant McCann's side in the bottom three before kick-off.

    They've won just two games in the calendar year, and despite beating Boro in a six-pointer, were brought back down to earth by West Brom last time out.

    Dean Holden has the job of picking Bristol City up after Lee Johnson's departure, as they look for a first win since February.

    They're nine points off the play-offs, so realistically out of the picture but would target this game against equally out of form opposition to possibly turn things around.

  14. Wigan's worriespublished at 17:54 British Summer Time 8 July 2020

    Wigan v QPR (18:00 BST)

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport at the DW Stadium

    It has been a desperate week for Wigan Athletic.

    Last Wednesday they were stunned after being put into administration.

    Manager Paul Cook has lost staff members amongst the 75 employees that have been made redundant by the club, which now has a 12-point deduction hanging over it.

    The Latics go into tonight's game five points ahead of third-bottom Hull, meaning they are effectively seven points from safety given the punishment only applies at the end of the season if Cook's men stay out of the bottom three.

    Can they record what would be a remarkable victory against QPR at the DW Stadium this evening?

    ..Image source, BBC Sport
  15. HALF-TIMEpublished at 45+5 mins

    West Brom 1-0 Derby

    West BromImage source, Rex Features

    So far, so good for West Brom, who would go top of the table tonight if it was to stay like this.

    Play-off hopefuls Derby will want to create more chances after the break. They've had lots of the ball, but not much end product so far.

  16. YELLOW CARD (Derby)published at 45+4 mins

    West Brom 1-0 Derby

    Morgan Whittaker gets a yellow card for apparent simulation. There did appear to be some contact though. Maybe a harsh one.

  17. GOOD SAVE!published at 45+3 mins

    West Brom 1-0 Derby

    Ben Hamer pulls off a strong save to keep out Charlie Austin's bouncing effort, after Grady Diangana's good run and cross-field ball.

    The hosts are ending this half in a confident mood.

  18. Postpublished at 45+1 mins

    West Brom 1-0 Derby

    There'll be four minutes of added time at the end of a rain-soaked half of football at The Hawthorns, where it's still chucking it down.

  19. SUBSTITUTION (Derby)published at 43 mins

    West Brom 1-0 Derby

    The Rams are forced in to an early change, as Duane Holmes limps off. Morgan Whittaker comes on instead.

  20. Postpublished at 42 mins

    West Brom 1-0 Derby

    After Derby give away possession inside their own defensive third - for what feels like the fourth or fifth time in this half - Charlie Austin plays a clever ball across the box, but it can't quite reach Kamil Grosicki at the back stick.