Another round of fixtures have come and gone in the EFL again this Saturday. With three games gone in the Championship and five in League One and Two, we pick out three things learned from Saturday’s EFL games.
Clinical Coventry City in the Championship
Coventry City thrashed QPR seven-one at the Coventry Building Society Arena on Saturday. This was a shocking result. It was made even more shocking by the fact the Sky Blues only accumulated an Expected Goals (xG) of 1.27.
When a side outscores their xG, it suggests they are clinical. Coventry outscoring their xG by six goals suggests they were very clinical.
Braces from Haji Wright, Jack Rudoni and Victor Torp were followed by a Brandon Thomas-Asante strike. Frank Lampard’s side look hard to stop going forward. The Sky Blues put five past Derby County last weekend to take their season tally to 12 scored in three games.
Championship defences, beware.
AFC Wimbledon Aren’t Here to Make Up the League One Numbers
In League One, newly-promoted AFC Wimbledon beat Barnsley two-nil at Plough Lane.
Barnsley came in to the game still unbeaten at the start of the season. AFC Wimbledon came in to the game with two wins and two losses.
Many EFL experts had Wimbledon to go straight back down to League Two. However, the Dons have started the season off in incredible fashion, winning three out of their first five games.
Strikes from Matthew Stevens and Antwoine Hackford secured another win and another clean sheet. Johnnie Jackson’s side are continuing their fine defensive record from last season, with just three goals conceded in five games this season.
It’s Wimbledon’s defensive record that will give them a huge chance of beating the drop this season. It’s been a great start to life back in League One for the Dons.
This Could Be Gillingham’s Year in League Two
In League Two, Gillingham ended Crewe Alexandra’s 100% start to the season, with a one-nil win. Sam Gale’s 89th minute winner was enough to see off the Railwaymen, who have had an electric start to the season. Four wins from four with a plus eight goal difference meant Lee Bell’s side sat pretty at the top of the table.
This is Gillingham’s first full season under manager Gareth Ainsworth. The former Wycombe manager joined in March 2025 from then League One side Shrewsbury Town.
Ainsworth seems to have turned the Gills around after last season’s disappointing 17th placed finish. It’s been an unbeaten start to the season, with three wins and two draws.
However, it’s been the last two results that have shifted expectations this season. A four-one win at home to Chesterfield was followed by a one-nil win today against Crewe. These results show that Gillingham are a force to be reckoned with this season. This could be Gillingham’s year to finally get out of League Two and back to League One for the first time since 2022.