It was a busy Saturday in the EFL Championship, League One, and League Two as a total of 30 matches kicked off the 2024-25 campaign. The action started with eight Championship games at 12:30 BST, with Leeds managing to equalize with Portsmouth early in the second half thanks to Willy Gnonto.
In League Two, 11 matches began at 15:00, while 11 League One games started at 17:30. Bristol City hit the woodwork against Hull City, and West Brom turned the game around with a goal from Josh Maja. Oxford United surprised Norwich with a 1-0 lead, while Millwall also hit the woodwork against Watford.
Middlesbrough took the lead against Swansea, and there was a heartwarming moment at half-time as Tony Mowbray, who had been ill, was presented to the fans. The second half began with great anticipation for more goals and exciting moments.
Leeds fans expressed frustration at their team’s inability to convert chances into goals, while Millwall fans wondered when new signing Macauley Langstaff might make an appearance. Aidy White felt that Portsmouth’s goals were preventable, and boos rang out at Elland Road as Leeds trailed Portsmouth 1-2 at half-time.
Coventry City needed to improve in the second half against Stoke, as Steve Ogrizovic pointed out. Meanwhile, Middlesbrough and Sunderland held leads going into the break, with Cardiff missing a chance to equalize right before half-time. Oxford United impressed in their first half back in the second tier, while QPR and West Brom were level at 1-1.
Overall, the opening Saturday of the EFL campaign provided plenty of drama, goals, and excitement for fans across all three divisions. The second halves of the matches promised more action and potential upsets as teams looked to start their season on a positive note.
