Summary

  • Bournemouth go top of Championship with win over Sheff Utd

  • Steve Cooper continues his unbeaten starts as Nottm Forest boss with win at Birmingham

  • Coventry thrash Fulham 4-1 in Championship's early kick-off

  • League One leaders Sunderland well beaten at Portsmouth

  • League Two table-toppers Forest Green 2-0 winners at Carlisle

  • 'Matt Taylor derby' between Exeter and Walsall ends in 2-2 draw

  • Get involved at #bbcefl

  1. Postpublished at 15:05 British Summer Time 2 October 2021

    Cardiff 0-0 Reading

    Cardiff are called into action early on as Reading press for an early goal.

    Ovie Ejaria gets a shot away for the visitors and Aden Flint clears the danger.

  2. Postpublished at 15:03 British Summer Time 2 October 2021

    #bbcefl

    Not the EFL, but have to mention Mouhamed Niang of Alloa, who has been sent off after one minute for violent conduct.

    What do you have to do to get binned in a minute?!

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  3. get involved

    Get Involved at #bbceflpublished at 15:01 British Summer Time 2 October 2021

    What footballer do you share your name with or have been mistaken for?

    Two Matt TaylorsImage source, Getty Images

    A reminder that with Matt Taylor facing Matt Taylor in the St James Park dugouts today as Exeter host Walsall, we want to know what footballer you share your name with or have been mistaken for?

    It would be great if we could build an XI and even get a manager too.

    We have Paolo Rossi and Mick Channon so far!

    Get in touch using #bbcefl on Twitter.

  4. KICK-OFFpublished at 15:00 British Summer Time 2 October 2021

    #bbcefl

    The collective shrill of whistles around the country tells you we're up and running in our traditional 15:00 BST kick-offs.

    Best of luck, whoever you support...

  5. Follow, follow...published at 14:59 British Summer Time 2 October 2021

    Final Score

    You can follow your team via our text, audibly via Squad Goals or with a mix of both on Final Score.

    Reports from around the ground and a vidiprinter service await you with the latter.

    Check it out on what we're calling the 'carousel' of options above.

  6. Sartorially speakingpublished at 14:56 British Summer Time 2 October 2021

    Bournemouth v Sheff Utd (15:00 BST)

    Just on Melanie's point before... here's the evidence! No hood needed for the snappily dressed Parker.

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  7. get involved

    Get Involved and listen to Squad Goalspublished at 14:54 British Summer Time 2 October 2021

    #bbcefl

    Our BBC England colleagues at Squad Goals will be getting under way at 14:55 BST. Click at the top of the page to listen in.

    Their game of the day in the Championship is Sheffield United's trip to Bournemouth, where the Cherries will go top of the Championship with a point.

    And, after seeing leaders West Brom lose their unbeaten record at Stoke last night, I think it's fair to say there are nerves among the Bournemouth faithful.

    Tom: Playing a northern football team in proper northern weather conditions what could possibly go wrong here.

    Stephen: ​​A very tricky tie looms. Hopefully Sheff Utd will be more adventurous than Posh, and allow our forward players to express themselves.

    Melanie: Will Parker be adding the detachable hood to his blazer? Our unbeaten run will be coming to an end if he has to switch to a coat.

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  8. League Two previewpublished at 14:53 British Summer Time 2 October 2021

    #bbcefl

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    When did things get so testy between League Two leaders Forest Green Rovers and Carlisle United?

    Rovers owner Dale Vince is taking his spot in the Brunton Park stands today by the looks of it... as his club seeks a seventh win of the season.

    Second plays fourth as Leyton Orient trek up to Staffordshire for a meeting with Port Vale.

    Bottom club Oldham have it all to do with the visit of Harrogate - although the North Yorkshire club have dipped a bit formwise of late.

    Full fixtures here.

  9. League One previewpublished at 14:52 British Summer Time 2 October 2021

    #bbcefl

    Five of League One's top six sides are all away from home this afternoon, with sixth-placed Wycombe the only side to enjoy home advantage against Morecambe - who have the division's top scorer Cole Stockton in their ranks.

    Pacesetters Sunderland go to Portsmouth, a club whom they've enjoyed a few end-of-season tussles with in recent years.

    Wigan - just behind them - are away at Gillingham, hoping to get back on the horse after a home reverse against Sheffield Wednesday in midweek.

    MK Dons, Plymouth and Rotherham travel to Doncaster, Lincoln and Cheltenham respectively.

    Second-bottom Charlton's trip to Fleetwood could be interesting too, with the pressure mounting on boss Nigel Adkins.

    Full fixtures are here.

  10. Elsewhere in the Championshippublished at 14:49 British Summer Time 2 October 2021

    #bbcefl

    QPR can shrug off their recent wobble with the visit of draw specialists Preston North End, who have shared the spoils in the past five.

    Millwall travel to struggling Barnsley, where already there is terrace chatter about the future of boss Markus Schopp.

    Birmingham and Nottingham Forest renew acquaintances at St Andrew's as West meets East (Midlands).

    Derby welcome Swansea to Pride Park, while it's a meander down from Teesside to East Yorkshire as Hull welcome Middlesbrough.

    Bristol City head east for fen country for their trip to Peterborough.

    We'll have updates and goal flashes on every game in the Championship as per usual.

  11. Inconsistently consistent?published at 14:47 British Summer Time 2 October 2021

    Luton v Huddersfield (15:00 GMT)

    Harry CornickImage source, Getty Images

    What a mixed bag this one could be.

    Luton Town have been consistent at being tough to work out. Are they the side that gets battered 5-0 by Birmingham? Or the one that thumps five past high-fliers Coventry?

    Nathan Jones' side certainly has quality; Elijah Adebayo has notched five already but remains enigmatic in front of goal, while Harry Cornick and Kal Naismith are useful source of ammunition from wide areas.

    Huddersfield, too, are an unpredictable bunch.

    Beaten by winless Nottingham Forest and then by a Swansea side who hadn't tasted success at home all season; contrastingly swatting in-form Blackburn and thumping Blackpool and Reading.

    Striker Danny Ward was talismanic in midweek, leading the line, while in Wales call-up Sorba Thomas, there's a bit of X-factor to throw into the mix.

    Could be anything this game.

  12. Mick feeling the strain?published at 14:43 British Summer Time 2 October 2021

    Cardiff v Reading (15:00 BST)

    Mick McCarthyImage source, Getty Images

    Mick McCarthy has been an international manager and was a centre-half who tussled with the likes of rugged strikers like Mick Harford and Billy Whitehurst in his playing days, so it's fair to say his shoulders are pretty broad when it comes to pressure.

    Yet, even he will be feeling the stresses and strains as Cardiff's recent woes hit hard. Back-to-back heavy losses, with nine goals shipped in the process, and five defeats in six in general, will have exposed raw nerves.

    McCarthy has asked his players for a performance the fans can be proud of this afternoon, but it is goals that the real glaring omission, with two of his three top scorers both centre-halves.

    As for their opponents, Reading boss Veljko Paunovic has done a great job of shielding his players from the very real threat of a points deduction, for off-field profit and sustainability breaches.

    Although beaten at Derby in midweek, another side who have felt the wrath of the authorities for their financial issues, the Royals have shown signs of spirit.

    In John Swift they have a real creative talent, while Tom Dele-Bashiru's industry and quality has also caught the eye.

  13. A Lancashire hotpotpublished at 14:39 British Summer Time 2 October 2021

    Blackpool v Blackburn (15:00 BST)

    Ben Brereton DiazImage source, Getty Images

    Who doesn't like a Saturday afternoon by the seaside? Blackburn certainly do, having scored eight goals in their past three visits to Lancashire rivals Blackpool.

    Rovers have also won four and drawn three of the past seven against the Tangerines, and with nine-goal Ben Brereton Diaz a transformed man since his Chile international recognition, they'll fancy their chances.

    That said, Blackpool under Neil Critchley aren't messing about these days. They were so close to adding another win to their belt at Hull in midweek but Shayne Lavery's spectacular volleyed sixth of the season was cancelled out by Tom Eaves.

    Three wins and three draws from the opening 10 games is a more than acceptable opening to the campaign for the side promoted via League One's play-offs last term.

  14. Unbeaten Cherries face Blades threatpublished at 14:36 British Summer Time 2 October 2021

    Bournemouth v Sheff Utd (15:00 BST)

    Dominic SolankeImage source, Getty Images

    Ten games in, Bournemouth are the only side in the EFL yet to taste defeat, as Scott Parker enjoys a honeymoon period down on the south coast.

    And, with Fulham and West Brom losing, the door is open now to streak back to the top of the table.

    Ex-Liverpool forward Dominic Solanke has finally found the scoring form which prompted the Cherries to cough up £20m for his services, with seven goals, while Philip Billing has also made himself a prominent figure with five welcome strikes from midfield.

    Today they take on a Sheffield United side who have just started to find their steel under Slavisa Jokanovic.

    The midweek loss to Middlesbrough was a minor set-back, but one loss in the past eight is good fare after a disappointing start.

    Their striker Rhian Brewster might well look at Solanke as a case study, having too struggled to find goals since a big money move from Anfield.

  15. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 14:32 British Summer Time 2 October 2021

    #bbcefl

    Cally: Coventry showing real verve. Almost swashbuckling at times. Got lucky with a few decisions but great response from Luton. Mark Robbins doing wonders.

  16. Postpublished at 14:32 British Summer Time 2 October 2021

    #bbcefl

    Ta, Jay.

    Just a quick word on Coventry... amazing to think with a few minutes to go on the opening day they were a goal down to Forest. Some turnaround since...

    Anyway, let's look forward now. We've plenty to get through.

  17. Postpublished at 14:30 British Summer Time 2 October 2021

    FT: Coventry 4-1 Fulham

    Right then, let's look ahead to today's 15:00 BST kick-offs across the English Football League.

    Matt Newsum is here to guide you through it..

  18. Postpublished at 14:26 British Summer Time 2 October 2021

    FT: Coventry 4-1 Fulham

    That was as good a second-half performance as you will see.

    Coventry never looked back after getting back on level terms and deserved their victory.

    Quite the contrast from midweek, when they were well beaten 5-0 by Luton.

  19. FULL-TIMEpublished at 14:22 British Summer Time 2 October 2021

    Coventry 4-1 Fulham

    Coventry celebrateImage source, PA Media

    Coventry go into the international break with a thumping comeback win over Fulham that sends them up to third ahead of today's 15:00 BST kick-offs in the Championship.

    That was a resounding performance by the Sky Blues, despite a controversial penalty decision soon after the break.

    Fulham, meanwhile, have work to do and are fortunate they didn't concede more.

  20. Postpublished at 90+1 mins

    Coventry 4-1 Fulham

    Rodrigo Muniz tries a stretched volleyed effort for the visitors as Fulham work a corner into the box after that Coventry substitution.

    It sails over the bar to jeers from the home supporters.

    Meanwhile, there will be three additional minutes in this game.