The Road To Wembley Is Underway: EFL Playoffs First Leg Recap

The EFL Playoffs are starting to take shape after the first legs. Some ties are still on a knife edge, while others have already been all but decided. There is a lot of excitement ahead of this week and the second legs, but let’s take a look back at what happened in the opening games.

Bristol City 0-3 Sheffield United

Bristol City have it all to do when they head to Bramall Lane tonight, after the first leg went just as badly as you can imagine. United opened the scoring on the stroke of half time from the penalty spot, after Rob Dickie was controversially sent off. I’ve given up trying to work out the double jeopardy rules, as Dickie was the last man, but usually a last man challenge in the box is just a yellow. What is even more controversial about the decision is that the contact with Kieffer Moore was minimal, and Dickie won the ball.

🗣️ "I don't like the fact that he's been sent off"
🗣️ "I think that's a harsh red card"

Ref Watch discuss Rob Dickie's red card for Bristol City against Sheffield United in the play-off semi-final 🟥 pic.twitter.com/kzgm4fjwmM

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 12, 2025

The second half performance from Sheffield United was professional, as they killed off the tie without creating any opportunity for Bristol City to counterattack. They finished the season 22 points ahead of City, and it showed on the night. What will be really worrying for Robins fans, is that Chris Wilder was able to bring off some of his key players in the second half, while their team will likely be fatigued from playing the whole second half with 10 men. They’ll have to produce something special tonight if they have any hopes of making it to the Premier League, but I think Sheffield United will complete another professional performance.

Coventry City 1-2 Sunderland

The majority of this game was the typical cagey knockout tie, as both teams felt each other out, not causing too much trouble for either goalkeeper. Coventry dominated the ball, with 74% possession over the 90 minutes, but were unable to create too many clear cut chances. In fact it was Sunderland who took the lead in the 68th minute when Wilson Isidor scored for the first time in three months. The lead didn’t even last two minutes however, as Coventry went right back up the other end and scored, with in-form midfielder Jack Rudoni heading past Anthony Patterson in the Sunderland goal.

The game looked set to end all square, but a defensive mistake from Milan van Ewijk saw Sunderland substitute Eliezer Mayenda latch onto a back pass and slot past the Coventry goalkeeper. No side in Championship history have entered the playoffs in such poor form, but Sunderland have managed to stop the rot at the perfect time. This was their first win in seven games, but Coventry fans will think that it is very undeserved. The Sky Blues had the majority of the ball, but Sunderland were patient and methodical in their approach, taking their opportunities when they came. The game tomorrow will likely be a bit different, with Coventry going all out for the win, but I think the result will be similar.

Leyton Orient 2-2 Stockport County

Leyton Orient and Stockport County were likely two teams that not many had predicted to do so well this season, but they faced off as the third and sixth placed teams in League One in the first leg of their playoff this weekend. Like the game between Bristol City and Sheffield United, there was a lot of controversy surrounding the opening goal. Charlie Kelman scored from six yards out after latching on to a flick on, but replays suggested that he was about two yards offside. Stockport County boss, Dave Challinor, was fuming at full time, but praised how his team responded.

Leyton Orient have a one-goal lead against Stockport, despite this being Charlie Kelman's position before he scored 😬 pic.twitter.com/mTdCzNBica

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 10, 2025

In the second half, Oliver Norwood equalised from the spot, before Fraser Horsfall’s header gave Stockport the lead. It looked as if they were heading to their first away victory in playoff history, but a late equaliser from Kelman from the penalty spot meant that the game ended all square. The American striker has been on fire this season, with his most recent goal being his 27th for Orient this season. The sides went into this game as the two most inform sides in the division, with Orient having won their last six games to snatch sixth place in the league and Stockport going eight unbeaten to climb into third. There is still everything to play for in the second leg at the weekend, but it would do well to live up to the excitement of last weekend’s match.

Wycombe Wanderers 0-0 Charlton Athletic

On the other end of the excitement spectrum, we have League One’s other playoff first leg. I mentioned earlier that first legs tend to be cagey and uninspiring, and here we are with a prime example of that. Wycombe nearly scored early on in the first half, but Will Mannion in the Charlton goal was equal to Daniel Udoh’s effort. Things improved slightly in the second half, but it still took the Addicks until the 70th minute to have their first effort on goal.

There was a late flurry of chances from Charlton, as they looked to take a slim advantage back home with them for this weekend’s second leg, but were unable to beat Will Norris in goal for Wycombe. Charlton went into this game in good form, with 16 wins from their final 22 league matches, however they were unable to find the back of the net against League One’s least inform team in the playoffs. This was their fifth game in their last nine where they have failed to find the back of the net. When they travel to Charlton this weekend, they’ll need to improve on the attacking front.

Notts County 0-1 AFC Wimbledon

Notts County may have thrown their playoff hopes at home to Wimbledon at the weekend, as they were unable to find the back of the net despite having six shots on target and 12 in total. There was another controversial refereeing decision in this game, as Notts County felt as if they should have had a penalty when Conor Grant’s shot appeared to have hit Joe Lewis’ hand. The officials were unmoved and County fans were left feeling hard done by. The first half was closed out with a string of good saves from both keepers, who were in fine form.

Yesterdays decisions in both EFL Playoff games show that refereeing in this country needs a serious rethink.

You think the offside is bad, then the Jatta red card happens...🤦‍♂️

Have to feel for Stockport and Notts County in such big games.#StockportCounty #NottsCounty pic.twitter.com/xNL57TVrqa

— Top4tiers (@Topfourtiers) May 11, 2025

The only goal of the game came fifteen minutes into the second half as Wimbledon defender Riley Harbottle headed in a Jake Reeves delivery. Notts County spent the rest of the second half trying to find an equaliser, and came close through Jodi Jones who hit the post. Striker Alassana Jatta was sent off in stoppage time for a two footed challenge, in a decision that many have seen as harsh. Notts County now have a lot of work to do next weekend, but looking at their recent form, I wouldn’t be too sure that they could get it done.

Chesterfield 0-2 Walsall

Despite Walsall’s dreadful end to the League Two season, they could still earn promotion, having beaten Chesterfield 2-0 away from home in their playoff semi-final first leg. Liam Gordon was taken out in the box just before the 30 minute mark in the first half, and Taylor Allen stepped up to the spot and scored his 11th goal this season. 11 minutes later Walsall doubled their lead with an impressive strike from midfielder Alfie Chang.

Chesterfield were unable to find a response despite increasing the pressure on the Walsall goal in the second half. Both Tommy Simkin and the crossbar came in clutch to deny the Spireites a valuable goal before the second leg. The result comes as a major shock, as Walsall’s form has been one of the worst in the country in recent months. In January, they were 12 points clear at the top of the league, but they finished the season in fourth having won just three of their last 21 league games. Chesterfield on the other hand, managed to snatch seventh place from Salford on the final day.