Summary

  • First full Saturday programme of new season

  • Colin header gives Birmingham win at Sheff Utd in late Championship game

  • Promoted Hull City come from behind to win 4-1 at Preston

  • Blackpool grab injury-time equaliser at Bristol City; Peterborough well beaten at Luton

  • Stoke beat Reading 3-2 in thriller; Blackburn edge past Swansea

  • Huddersfield head coach Carlos Corberan and four players miss 1-1 draw at Derby after positive Covid tests

  • Sunderland and Portsmouth start with wins in League One

  • League Two newcomers Sutton concede injury-time winner at Forest Green

  • Get involved at #bbcefl

  1. Postpublished at 15:13 British Summer Time 7 August 2021

    Bristol City 0-0 Blackpool

    Bristol City threaten for the first time, as centre-back Nathan Baker heads over from a corner.

    They've been forced into an early change though with Callum O'Dowda forced off with an injury. Kasey Palmer is on in his place.

  2. League One and Two updatepublished at 15:13 British Summer Time 7 August 2021

    Harrogate are storming ahead in their opener with Rochdale. Alex Pattison has just put them 2-0 up inside 10 minutes.

    In League One, Lincoln City have taken the lead at Gillingham through Tayo Edun.

    And Garath McCleary has put Wycombe in front at home to Accrington.

  3. goal

    GOAL: QPR 0-1 Millwallpublished at 15:13 British Summer Time 7 August 2021

    Jed Wallace (11 mins)

    It may be a new season but Jed Wallace continues to be a fabulous player for Millwall.

    The playmaker works some space on the edge of the box before unleashing a fantastic strike into the top corner.

    And he then runs the length of the pitch to celebrate with the travelling fans.

  4. Delayed kick-off at Carlislepublished at 15:12 British Summer Time 7 August 2021

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  5. Postpublished at 15:11 British Summer Time 7 August 2021

    Blackburn 0-0 Swansea

    Blackburn have the game's first chance as Chile international Ben Brereton Diaz tees up Tyrhys Dolan but his effort is saved by Swans keeper Steven Benda.

    Moments later Brereton Diaz smashes over the crossbar from distance.

  6. goal

    GOAL: Preston 1-0 Hullpublished at 15:09 British Summer Time 7 August 2021

    Emil Riis Jakobsen (8 mins)

    Preston celebrateImage source, Rex Features

    The hosts have an opener as Tom Barkhuizen's low cross is turned in at the far post on the slide by Danish forward Emil Riis Jakobsen.

    Hull can't afford to give Preston that much space out wide.

    Quote Message

    Emmanuel at left -back gets sucked or suckered into middle, ball exploits space outside him, then cross is converted at far post. Make a mistake at this level you tend to get punished.

    David Burns, BBC Radio Humberside

  7. Postpublished at 15:09 British Summer Time 7 August 2021

    Luton 0-0 Peterborough

    It is LOUD at a capacity Kenilworth Road - an old-fashioned ground which really lends itself to an atmosphere.

    The travelling Peterborough fans are playing their part and even Sir Alex Ferguson, father of Posh boss Darren, is in attendance.

  8. Postpublished at 15:08 British Summer Time 7 August 2021

    Harrogate 1-0 Rochdale

    We have our first EFL Saturday goal of the season.

    Luke Armstrong has just put Harrogate 1-0 up against Rochdale in League Two.

  9. Delayed kick-off at Sunderland...published at 15:07 British Summer Time 7 August 2021

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  10. Postpublished at 15:06 British Summer Time 7 August 2021

    Derby 0-0 Huddersfield

    No early goalmouth action at Pride Park as the hosts look to settle it into it.

    If you're just joining us then Huddersfield are without boss Carlos Corberan and four players after they tested positive for Covid-19.

  11. Postpublished at 15:04 British Summer Time 7 August 2021

    Joe Thompson
    Former Rochdale and Tranmere midfielder on Squad Goals

    "This is everything that you’ve worked towards. You’ve been through the hard sessions in pre-season, not very many players enjoy that.

    "This is it now, this is what it’s all about."

  12. Incredible emotion at Cardiffpublished at 15:04 British Summer Time 7 August 2021

    Cardiff 0-0 Barnsley

    Michael Pearlman
    BBC Sport Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium

    Cardiff City asked fans to send in photographs of fans sadly no longer with us and they received hundreds.

    We just had about a two-and-a-half minute silence here, brilliantly respected by the Barnsley fans, before Cardiff unveiled a huge banner in tribute to Peter Whittingham.

    Goosebumps is the order of the day. The atmosphere is now rocking. As emotional as I can remember being in a football stadium as a journalist.

  13. HITS THE WOODWORKpublished at 15:04 British Summer Time 7 August 2021

    QPR 0-0 Millwall

    Millwall almost get the perfect start against their London rivals as Scott Malone's cross loops over home keeper Seny Dieng and strikes the bar.

  14. Postpublished at 15:02 British Summer Time 7 August 2021

    Stoke 0-0 Reading

    Ged Scott
    BBC Sport at Bet 365 Stadium

    Bet 365 StadiumImage source, Ged Scott

    Rarely heard Delilah sung as loud!

    Rapturous reception for the return of football in the Potteries

  15. KICK-OFFpublished at 15:00 British Summer Time 7 August 2021

    #bbcefl

    I'm sure there are goosebumps in many a stadium as the referee's whistle is met with roars of pure emotion.

    The EFL is back and matches are getting under way across the country.

  16. Elsewhere in the Championshippublished at 14:57 British Summer Time 7 August 2021

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    Russell Martin takes charge of Swansea for the first time as they take on Blackburn at Ewood Park, while there's a London derby at Loftus Road between QPR and Millwall, who both finished in mid-table last season.

    Stoke play host to Reading while the late, late game sees Sheffield United, under Slavisa Jokanovic, take on a Birmingham side that last season showed improvement with Lee Bowyer at the helm.

    We'll have all the action from that one at 20:00 BST.

  17. The EFL and football fans are back!published at 14:55 British Summer Time 7 August 2021

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  18. Mixed emotions as fans prepare for EFL returnpublished at 14:53 British Summer Time 7 August 2021

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    There's no getting away from the fact that it's a very different world because of Covid-19, and some fans will be returning to stadiums today without old friends, without family members, without trusty companions.

    Matt Newsum has collated the thoughts of some fans desperate for their footballing return, and others still managing genuine concerns.

    Mixed emotions as fans prepare for EFL return

    After 17 months away, fans across the 72 EFL clubs are contemplating their return to grounds, and there are mixed emotions.

    Read More
  19. The privilege of normalcypublished at 14:50 British Summer Time 7 August 2021

    Cardiff v Barnsley (15:00 BST)

    Michael Pearlman
    BBC Sport Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium

    What an absolute privilege it is to be at a football match today, covering another season opener back in a stadium that will be (almost) full with supporters.

    The past season-and-a-half of covering games in empty stadiums was at best a surreal experience, at worst it made me feel futile and silly in the midst of a pandemic, because does sport really matter if fans can't see it?

    Like many of you I have been working predominantly from home for nearly 18 months now and to be here today, to share a collective experience for the first time in so long, I can't pretend I'm not feeling pretty emotional about it.

    This is the most normal my life I have felt since March 2020, I have to confess.

    And I am utterly privileged in the normalcy I am about to experience. Back at work, covering the fortunes of the Welsh football clubs.

    Because for many people in England and Wales today attending Football League games, it is not going to be normal. Sadly, today is a day where we will remember those we have lost in the past 18 months just as much as we will celebrate being back for the start of a new campaign.

    Cardiff are planning to pay tribute pre-match to fans no longer with us, as well as former Bluebird Peter Whittingham, so it promises to be an emotional occasion in South Wales.

    As we celebrate how lucky we are to be back in football grounds, it's also a time to think of those who sadly can no longer join us.

    Cardiff City fansImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
  20. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 14:50 British Summer Time 7 August 2021

    #bbcefl

    Dan Umphray: As a Derby fan I hope we can stave off relegation til March or even April at a push. The chairman Mel Morris has ruined our club. Can’t give up on it cos a deal fell through.

    Kieran Reynolds: A historic day as Sutton United make their debut in the EFL. So proud of that this team have achieved. Wish I could be there today but Covid anxiety got the better of me.