It’s midweek action in the EFL as we see more Yanks face off. This time it’s QPR, with Reggie Cannon and Charlie Kelman going up against Stoke City with Lynden Gooch. Elsewhere, Haji Wright scores for Coventry City to pick up their second win on the bounce.
Queens Park Rangers 4-2 Stoke City
Despite not starting, Reggie Cannon did well in the 30-odd minutes he was given, bringing much-needed energy down the right flank as he rallied from a 2-1 deficit to help beat Stoke 4-2. Although Stoke were down a man, it was a perfect time to ease Cannon back into the squad after picking up an injury a few weeks ago.
Much like Cannon, Charlie Kelman also started from the bench and came on in the final 20 minutes, looking very bright and giving Gooch a hard time. Speaking of Gooch, he played the entire 90 minutes and had a handful of defensive duties, especially after his side lost a man.
QPR took an early lead with a penalty by Lyndon Dykes in the 11th minute, resulting in a yellow card for Stoke’s Enda Stevens. Ryan Mmaee, a summer signing for the Potters, leveled the score before halftime.
Stevens, however, received a red card in the 53rd minute for his second bookable offense. Despite being down to 10 men, Stoke went ahead six minutes later with a brilliant solo effort from Wouter Burger.
Dykes then scored his second goal with a controlled turn and shot. In the 89th minute, Stoke’s Ben Pearson conceded a clumsy own goal, and Chris Willock sealed the victory with a fourth goal in injury time.
Coventry City 1-0 Plymouth Argyle
It’s two wins in two for the Sky Blues as Haji Wright’s team starts climbing back to midtable after a short relegation scare. The goal-scorer is none other than the American himself, as he continues to be played on the left of the attack, which seems to be working for the record-breaking fee signing.
Coventry dominated the first half without finding the net, creating several scoring opportunities. Plymouth Argyle showed improvement post-half time, with near misses from Finn Azaz, Luke Cundle, and Lewis Gibson.
The decisive moment occurred 15 minutes before the end the match when Milan van Ewijk, breaking down the right, seemingly played the ball from an out-of-play position before delivering it to Wright, who powerfully struck it home from close range. Despite Argyle’s protests, the goal stood, marking Coventry’s first home goal in almost two months. The victory propelled the Sky Blues from 20th to 15th in the table.
Notes:
Duane Holmes was an unused sub in Preston North End’s 4-0 loss away at Middlesbrough.
Jonathan Tomkinson was an unused sub in Bradford City’s 3-0 away win against Forest Green Rovers.
Vaughn Covil was including in the Hull City squad that won 4-1 at home against Rotherham United.
Josh Sargent and Daryl Dike are still recovering from their injuries.
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