There were goals galore at the weekend in the EFL, with Middlesbrough scoring six, Leeds United winning in a seven-goal thriller and Wrexham scoring three at home.
Leeds topped the Championship and there were plenty of shocks across the board in the EFL, including high-flying Birmingham City being beaten by lowly Shrewsbury Town – in Gareth Ainsworth’s first game as Salop boss.
In a weekend where teams shot up the table just as quickly as others fell down the order, here is Charlie Elliott’s Team of the Week.
Tommy Simkin – Walsall
Young keeper Simkin, on loan from Stoke City, was instrumental in Walsall‘s surprise 1-0 victory away at AFC Wimbledon.
He made four saves and even managed to create a chance when a goal kick looped over the defence and played Nathan Lowe in one-on-one.
Luke Hendrie – Morecambe
A right-back who is usually known for his consistency, Luke Hendrie showed a touch of magic with two assists in Morecambe‘s 3-2 away win against fellow strugglers Swindon Town.
The second assist came from a perfectly weighted pass down the line, which played striker Hallam Hope in to smash home.
Di’Shon Bernard – Sheffield Wednesday
Jamaican international Di’Shon Bernard was very unlucky to not taste victory against Cardiff City, with Wednesday having to settle for a 1-1 draw at home to the Welsh side.
Bernard got himself on the scoresheet, and on a day when his strikers failed to take their chances, he showed them how it’s done, sliding in at the back post to equalise for the Owls.
He would also have a good game on the ball, having completed the most passes in the match (73).
Anthony O’Connor – Harrogate Town
Another centre-back who got on the scoresheet, Anthony O’Connor reacted first to a shot which hit the post to equalise away at Gillingham.
Harrogate Town ended up winning the game 2-1 and much of it was thanks to his goal which turned the game around.
James McClean – Wrexham
Still going strong at 35-years-old, James McClean was the star of the show in Wrexham’s statement 3-0 win at home against Exeter City.
The Irishman created the most chances in the game and got an assist following a brilliant ball in from a corner.
It wouldn’t be a McLean performance without a bit of opposition aggro as he also committed the most fouls out of any player on the pitch.
Lewis Bate – Stockport County
While Louie Barry may continue to take the headlines for Stockport County, midfielder Lewis Bate continues to go about his business quietly and consistently performs in the middle for the Hatters.
He dictated the play yet again in their 3-0 win away at Burton Albion and opened the scoring with a right-place, right-time type of finish after he latched onto a loose ball in the Brewers box.
Finn Azaz – Middlesbrough
Two goals and two assists.
Middlesbrough’s scoring form doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon and the former West Brom man was unstoppable in Boro‘s 6-2 win away at Oxford United.
The composure on all four goal involvements was astounding, and Finn Azaz was completely in control of everything, very talismanic from the young Irishman.
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi – Sheffield United
They say never fall in love with a loan player, but Sheffield United fans will be struggling after seeing Jesurun Rak-Sakyi’s start to the season.
The on-loan Crystal Palace youngster keeps producing for the Blades, no less so than this weekend in their 2-2 draw away at Coventry City, in which he got a goal and an assist.
His goal put his side 2-1 up, with a composed low finish against the run of play.
Jesurun has maturity way beyond his years and has the potential to have a very special career.
Dan James – Leeds United
Former Swansea City man Dan James got two assists in Leeds United’s late 4-3 win over his ex-club.
James ran through with his trademark pace and squared the ball for both assists, one of which Manor Solomon finished and the other Ben Cabango slid in for an own goal.
In an otherwise slightly lacklustre Leeds performance, James stepped up and helped his side over the line in a win that may be looked back on at the end of the season as a turning point, with them now occupying the top spot in the Championship.
Tom Bloxham – Shrewsbury Town
Often played as a winger, but with the physical attributes of a striker, six-foot-five Tom Bloxham scored what turned out to be the winning goal in Shrewsbury Town’s 3-2 win against high-flying Birmingham City.
Gareth Ainsworth altered Bloxham’s position to be up front in a striker partnership and he had a brilliant game against a very strong Blues side.
While his goal was scrappy, he also got an assist and in general was a physical monster up front and exactly the kind of outlet needed against good opposition.
Ainsworth appears to know how to play to Bloxham’s strengths and he could be a player to watch for the rest of the season under his new manager.
Emmanuel Latte Lath – Middlesbrough
A clinical hat-trick hero for Boro, Emmanuel Latte-Lath could not miss out on this team.
Also getting an assist in their 6-2 win away at Oxford, he only had 19 touches, which is a goal involvement of one every 4.75 touches, simply remarkable!
The Ivorian channelled his inner Erling Haaland and his goals have helped Middlesbrough shoot up to fifth in the table, with the automatic places well within their sights.
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