Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford was the star of this week’s EFL action as Burnley held Sunderland in a goalless draw.
From tightly fought promotion battles in the Championship, to teams being dragged into the relegation race of League Two and everything in between, the EFL continued to deliver this weekend.
Birmingham City maintained their lead at the top of League One, and Leeds United reclaimed pole position in the race for Premier League football.
It was a week for goalkeepers, with many standing out, but outstanding performances across the pitch lit up the leagues and provided entertainment and drama.
Here is Charlie Elliott’s Team of the Week from the action.
James Trafford (Burnley)
Wilson Isidor will have a shiver down his spine whenever he hears the name James Trafford from now on.
With two penalty saves against the Frenchman and a clean sheet in a huge game for the Clarets against Sunderland, Trafford was easily the best keeper in the EFL this weekend.
The way he got down to his right to stop the powerfully struck second in the game’s dying embers showed a mental toughness that you cannot teach.
Some may not have liked the way he acted before both penalties were taken but saving them both more than makes up for what could be perceived as poor form.
What a keeper, what a performance.
Ethan Laird (Birmingham City)
Similarly to most of his teammates, Ethan Laird is way too good for League One.
The attacking full-back is always creating chances and looking to make things happen from deep.
He ventured into the box with a late run and volleyed home deftly just before half time to give Birmingham City their only goal of the game in a 1-0 win against Exeter City.
His defensive work was solid when needed, but attacking-wise he is a cut above.
Finley Potter (Fleetwood Town)
Not only did Finley Potter get a clean sheet against high-flyers Salford City in Fleetwood Town’s surprising 2-0 away victory, but he was also credited with the assist for the opening goal.
Far from a piece of technical brilliance, his touch as the ball ricocheted in the box was the final one before Ronan Coughlan finished.
Defensively he was a rock and kept out a good Salford attack which featured the ever-dangerous Cole Stockton.
Paudie O’Connor (Lincoln City)
Lincoln City got a much-needed 1-0 away win against Northampton Town to keep their playoff hopes alive, but without the stout defensive work of Paudie O’Connor, it would not have been possible.
Marshalling the back three from the middle, O’Connor won everything, both in the air and on the floor and was the focal point in a defence full of top performers.
Tom Eaves and Sam Hoskins in the Cobblers’ attack didn’t get a sniff.
Jaheim Headley (Port Vale)
With a goal and an assist from left wing-back, Jaheim Headley single-handedly helped Port Vale avoid an embarrassing defeat at home to Newport County.
In only his second appearance for the club, the January addition shone.
The former Huddersfield Town man set up the first with a lovely corner, before cutting inside and firing home low into the near post after the ball was recycled from another one of his corners.
The 3-2 win keeps them just within the automatic places.
Matt Ritchie (Portsmouth)
Evergreen 35-year-old winger Matt Ritchie bagged a brace as Portsmouth came from 1-0 down to beat Middlesbrough 2-1 at Fratton Park.
Ritchie held his run well before receiving a high through ball which he controlled well and slotted past the helpless Thomas Glover in the Boro net.
Always known for having a strike on him, he comfortably beat his defender on the outside before blasting the ball across goal and in off the post from a tight angle.
Richie celebrated before it had even gone in, such is his experience of knowing a good strike as soon as it has left his feet.
Oliver Norwood (Stockport County)
Another technically gifted and experienced player is Oliver Norwood, who proved that the class which has seen him play in the Premier League is permanent.
A brace of assists in Stockport County’s 3-1 away win to Reading summed up the technical ability, with both coming from perfectly weighted balls in from set-piece situations.
Both came within 13 minutes of the first half and set the Hatters well on their way for a comfortable victory.
Ao Tanaka (Leeds United)
This lad is something else and is making the Championship his playground.
Leeds United won 3-0 at home to Sheffield Wednesday, as Ao Tanaka impressed with some high-quality defensive work in midfield throughout.
He broke up play well and showed a calmness on the ball to play forward.
The hard work was rewarded right at the end when Tanaka finished off the scoring with a tidy flick from a Largie Ramazani driven shot.
Harrison Burrows (Sheffield United)
A neatly hit volley from Harrison Burrows that trickled over the line after the ball came off both posts opened the scoring for Sheffield United in their 2-0 home win against Norwich City.
The game was put beyond doubt when Burrows slotted home a tidy penalty to keep the points at Bramall Lane.
Peterborough United have been praised for the young talent that they have produced over the years, but Burrows could turn out to be the best of them all with huge potential.
At only 23-years-old, the world is at his feet.
Callum Robinson (Cardiff City)
A shoutout must go to Notts County striker David McGoldrick as he got himself two goals and narrowly missed out on this team.
However, Callum Robinson is deserving of his place here after a couple of strikes gave Cardiff City a 3-0 win in the South Wales derby against Swansea City.
The opening two goals of the game both came within six minutes of the second half and were both from Robinson’s left boot.
His first was volleyed across goal with the laces of his foot after a chested touch, with the second being an arrowed finish low past Lawrence Vigouroux.
It left the Chilean keeper with no chance.
Bluebirds fans will have Robinson’s name down in their history books already and he will never have to buy a pint in Cardiff after this game.
Andre Green (Rotherham United)
A goal and two assists for Andre Green gave Rotherham United fans a sigh of relief as they finally saw their side put together a good run of results with a 4-2 win at home to Charlton Athletic.
His goal was scrappy to say the least, capitalising on a cross to scuff the ball in off the post to open the scoring.
Green played Alex MacDonald in with a calm through ball to double the Millers’ lead before a brilliant, volleyed ball over the defence set fellow striker Malik Wilks free to chip over Ashley Maynard-Brewer to put the game beyond doubt at 4-1.
