EFL

A FOX halted Portsmouth’s League One top-two clash with Derby.Fans were stunned as the intruder emerged from nowhere to delay the game as County led 2-1 at Fratton Park in a thrilling 2-2 draw.The fox thwarted attempts to grab itCredit: PAJoe Ward struck twice for Derby before the Fox intervenedCredit: PAThe fox was too fast as it whipped across the boxCredit: PAThe Fox held up the Rams as it showed the fastest two pairs of legs on the pitch – racing from the penalty box to the corner flag.Players from both sides could only stand and watch before the unexpected invader was finally cleared from the pitch.Many observers pointed out that the Foxes – Leicester – had been playing 24 hours earlier.And one jobsworth fan warned the animal on X: “You can’t run there mate.”READ MORE TOP STORIESBut other viewers noted the poor condition of the fox’s fur.”Poor thing needs a vet,” commented one fan.The match resumed with leaders Portsmouth desperately searching for an equaliser.Derby winger Joe Ward had struck twice in 12 minutes before the break, with Pompey frontman Abu Mamara netting inbetween.Most read in EFLAnd after a fox on the pitch it was Moxon on his best best shooting form who brilliantly earned a draw.Namely, it was sub Owen Moxon who thumped a stunner on 77 minutes to restore Portsmouth’s five-point advantage at the top.However, Derby are still four points clear of third-placed Bolton.Sky Sports Soccer Saturday crew burst out laughing after mascot’s hilarious reaction to being shoved in EFL clash More

BARNSLEY star Mael de Gevigney endured a moment to forget during his side’s Good Friday clash with Cambridge.The promotion-chasing Tykes hosted the relegation-threatened U’s in a match with huge repercussions for both sides at Oakwell.By heck, de Gevigney with a smart finish, unfortunate for him it’s at the wrong end as the back pass wrong foots Roberts. Not much created by either side in this first quarter. Barnsley 0-1 Cambridge pic.twitter.com/mSJK6UCbEW— Chris Mann (@The_Mannster) March 29, 2024

Mael de Gevigney attempted to play the ball back to his goalkeeperCredit: iFollowLiam Roberts was unable to control the wayward passCredit: iFollowThe ball ended up fizzing into the back of the netCredit: iFollowDespite going into the game as favourites, Barnsley got off to a nightmare start.After successfully winning the ball back on 13 minutes, centre-back De Gevigney turned back to face his own goal.He attempted to pass the ball to keeper Liam Roberts, only to get it badly wrong.To De Gevigney’s horror, his backpass fizzed beyond Roberts, who could not control it, and into the back of the net.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Frenchman’s fellow defender Jamie McCart was left with his head in his hands after witnessing the unfortunate own goal.Barnsley dominated possession, but could not find a route back into the game.And their defeat was confirmed 18 minutes from time, when Gassan Ahadme added a second for Cambridge.The surprise result saw fifth-placed Barnsley fail to narrow the gap on the teams above them.Most read in EFLBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERThey are now 10 points behind second-placed Derby, albeit with two games in hand.Cambridge, meanwhile, moved three points away from the dreaded drop zone with their impressive triumph.Alan Pardew calls out the EFL amid controversial situation at Reading football clubUnfortunately for De Gevigney, his nightmare moment didn’t go unnoticed online.One fan wrote: “By heck, de Gevigney with a smart finish, unfortunate for him it’s at the wrong end.”A second moaned: “Someone tell de gevigney wrong p***ing net!”While a third joked: “Great strike by the Barnsley lad / cool finish past the keeper. Goal of the Day…”Another added: “Mael de Gevigney with an Easter gift for Cambridge United.”After the game, disappointed Barnsley boss Neill Collins said: “For all that I felt we should have won the game today, I think there’s still definitely signs that we need more.”We need more from everyone. Individual performances maybe haven’t been at the level that they have been previously today.”So there’s going to be opportunities for people between now and the end of the season, who want to take the spot.”Just because you’ve played really well up to this point, we’re at the point where you need to be in form, so the competition for spots is going to be tough.”De Gevigney joined Barnsley from Nimes last summer.He has been a regular for Collins this term, appearing 33 times in League One and even laying on five assists from centre-back.READ MORE SUN STORIESBarnsley return to action on Monday, when they travel to Burton Albion.Cambridge, meanwhile, will host Wigan Athletic. More

READING owner Dai Yongge has begun “exclusive talks” with a potential buyer as he looks to sell the League One side.Fans of the third-tier outfit have been in crisis under the Chinese businessman, 55, who bought 75 per cent of the club in 2017.Dai Yongge is in talks to sell Reading after seven years as ownerCredit: Rex FeaturesReading fans are eager to see the back of YonggeCredit: GettyThey were relegated from the Championship last season during which they were crucially deducted six points for various off-field breaches.They were then docked a point in August for breaching EFL regulations, with a further three suspended.The following month they triggered their extra three-point deduction, after failing to deposit 125 per cent of their monthly wage bill into an account by a date agreed to by the EFL.They then received their third points deduction of the season in February after they were docked an extra two points to take the total to six and overall total since Yongge’s takeover to 18.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLEarlier this month, reports emerged that Yongge was attempting to sell their Bearwood Park training ground to League One rivals Wycombe.But, after that was put on hold due to “planning limitations”, Reading supporters have finally received some positive news.Yongge is entering into a “period of exclusive negotiation to agree final terms” with the potential buyer.The identity of the other party has not yet been disclosed, but will be revealed when the deal is completed – which could take “up to two months”.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSReading timeline since Dai Yongge takeoverHere is how events have unfolded under Dai Yongge:

May 2017 – Yongge takes control of 75 per cent of the club after they lost Championship play-off final on penalties to Huddersfield
2021 – Reading’s accounts show pre-tax losses of £146million, with 234 per cent of its revenue spent on player wages
2023 – Reading breach Financial Fair Play rules and amass deductions totalling six points
May 2023 – Reading relegated down to the third tier for the first time in 31 years
August 2023 – Docked one point and issued a suspended three-point punishment for breaching EFL regulations
September 2023 – Suspended three-point deduction triggered
February 2024 – Docked two more points for yet more breaches
March 2024 – Yongge attempts to sell training ground to fellow League One side Wycombe
March 2024 – Selling of the training ground put on hold due to planning limitations

A statement released on Tuesday afternoon read: “The Club can confirm Mr Dai has committed to a letter of intent with a potential purchaser of Reading Football Club.”The parties will now enter a period of exclusive negotiation to agree the final terms. The completion is expected to take up to two months, at which time the purchaser will be announced.Reading vs Port Vale POSTPONED after mass pitch invasion as furious fans run on field in protest”The transaction would include the transfer of Mr Dai’s shareholding in The Reading Football Club Limited, as well as the Select Car Leasing Stadium and Bearwood Park training ground.”The club will communicate with further updates when appropriate.”The Club can confirm Mr Dai has committed to a letter of intent with a potential purchaser of Reading Football Club.”The parties will now enter a period of exclusive negotiation to agree the final terms. The completion is expected to take up to two months, at which time the purchaser will be announced.”The transaction would include the transfer of Mr Dai’s shareholding in The Reading Football Club Limited, as well as the Select Car Leasing Stadium and Bearwood Park training ground.”The club will communicate with further updates when appropriate.”Despite the off-field turmoil and deductions amassing to six points this season, Reading still sit 18th in League One, six points clear of the relegation zone with seven games remaining. More

FOOTBALL FANS are able to watch games at this former Premier League stadium from the comfort of a BED.The Toughsheet Community Stadium opened its doors in 2007 and is the home of Bolton Wanderers.A former Premier League ground is doubling up as a hotelCredit: Booking.comFans have a unique opportunity when visiting Bolton WanderersCredit: Booking.comYou got watch the Trotters live from the comfort of your bedCredit: Booking.comRooms are available from just £115-a-nightCredit: Booking.comIt was home to a host of stars in the early 2000s such as Jay-Jay Okocha, Ivan Campo and Nicolas Anelka during Sam Allardyce’s time in charge.The ground holds over 28,000 supporters and even staged European football back in 2007/08 – including a famous victory over Atletico Madrid in the Uefa Cup.However, after Big Sam’s departure, the club’s form dropped dramatically and they were eventually relegated from the Premier League in May 2012.They have failed to return to the top-flight since and even dropped all the way down to League Two after years of financial chaos caused havoc at the club.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLLuckily for the Trotters they now appear to be on the way back and are pushing for promotion back to the Championship as they ride high in League One.And they have come up with a way of generating some extra income through a hotel that is built into the Toughsheet Community Stadium.The Bolton Stadium Hotel is fully integrated into the ground and offers rooms that “are modern and spacious with en-suite bathrooms” plus all the facilities that you would expect for making a brew.But the best feature of all is that many of the rooms come with a pitch-side view.Most read in EFLBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERThey are priced from £115-a-night – giving you the incredible opportunity to watch Bolton play live and in-person without even having to take off your PJs.The hotel, which is located just 500 yards from junction 6 on the M61,  also boasts a number of other features, including a glass atrium lobby and glass lifts.Every Premier League stadium ranked by the number of pubs nearby with one boasting over 130 local boozersAnd it has a sweeping staircase that leads you to what they describe as “an elegant brasserie and bar”.It offers guests light meals, drinks and coffee as well as a menu for lunch and dinner.But even if football is not your thing, the Middlebrook Retail Village is close by to keep you entertained.And you are only a quarter of an hour’s walk away from 10-pin bowling, a cinema and a variety of shops. Bolton, who are managed by Ian Evatt, are currently pushing for promotion from League One.They are third in the table, four points outside of the automatic spots and nine behind leaders Portsmouth.Fans could watch a promotion party in bed this MayCredit: Booking.comThe hotel also features a bar and restaurant to toast a Trotters victoryCredit: Booking.comThe Toughsheet Community Stadium is located just 500 yards off the motorwayCredit: Rex More