By Charlie Elliott
As always, the EFL delivered yet again with lots of goals, drama and surprising results.
From Sheffield United going to the top of the Championship (for now) to Morecambe closing the gap in the battle for League Two safety and everything in between, it was a joy to behold.
So many individuals stood out, with a hat trick of assists from Leyton Orient midfielder Ethan Galbraith and a hat trick of goal involvements from Chris Martin.
Here is Charlie Elliott’s Team of the Week from a great weekend of football.
In a 3-5-1-1 formation – if that exists!
Matt Macey (Colchester United)
It wasn’t a classic at Brunton Park as League Two’s bottom side Carlisle United held Colchester United 0-0, but both keepers deserve an honourable mention in an otherwise dull affair.
Gabriel Breeze of Carlisle pulled off one of the saves of the season (seriously, look it up), but Matt Macey makes this team with five strong stops.
The highlight of Macey’s performance came in the second half when he flew across to stop a powerful strike destined for the top corner.
Assured between the sticks, the former Arsenal academy player has had an underrated season so far.
Luke Hendrie (Morecambe)
There is still hope in this Morecambe side yet, with a convincing 2-0 derby-day victory at home to Accrington Stanley making it three wins from four home games in 2025.
Luke Hendrie was the best performer throughout, with a lovely cross-field assist that left doubt in Stanley’s defence, landing nicely for oncoming striker Lee Angol to head home.
Aside from the attacking work, he was defensively solid and added to a consistent campaign so far for the Shrimps.
Anel Ahmedhodzic (Sheffield United)
Like most of his Blades teammates, Anel Ahmedhodzic shouldn’t be playing in the Championship and has the quality to make the step up to the Premier League.
For now, Chris Wilder’s side are top of the league, with a 1-0 win away to Luton Town taking them above Leeds United for the time being (although Leeds have a game in hand that they play on Monday).
It wasn’t pretty, but the defence stood firm and with Ahmedhodzic netting the only goal of the game, he deserves his place in this team.
The Bosnian kept a couple of strikers who were in the Prem last season quiet, which is hugely impressive.
David Okagbue (Walsall)
Walsall finally got back to winning ways in League Two and are a comfortable eight points clear at the top after their 3-1 win against Chesterfield.
Irish centre-back David Okagbue was not only good defensively but provided an assist for the equalising goal that sent them on their way to victory after a shaky start.
A tidy header across goal from a corner set up Jamille Matt nicely.
Key in Mat Sadler’s system are the two wide centre-backs being able to attack and with Okagbue creating the most chances in the game, he seems to be the perfect player for the manager’s tactics.
Ethan Galbraith (Leyton Orient)
A huge 3-2 win against Lincoln City has put Orient in the League One playoff places.
Three, yes THREE, assists for Galbraith means that he was the first name on this teamsheet and easily one of the best in the EFL over the weekend.
It can also be called the perfect hat trick of assists, with a header, left foot and right foot assist in that order.
A joy to watch, the Northern Irishman glides across the pitch and is destined for big things at only 23-years-old.
Too good for this league, next year he will play up a level, be that at Orient or elsewhere.
Harvey Knibbs (Reading)
Another game which wasn’t a classic, but required someone to take control, was Reading’s 2-1 win at home to Rotherham United.
Harvey Knibbs was that man, as he came up with a brace.
Not the best couple of goals ever, with one being a tap in and the other a penalty, but he still deserves credit for the composure shown to slot home a last-minute pen to win the game.
The midfield as a whole was brilliant, and Lewis Wing had a great game too.
Keanu Baccus (Mansfield Town)
In a game which was likely to be forgotten about, Blackpool rescued a draw after being 3-1 down against Mansfield Town.
Keanu Baccus netted a screamer in this League One affair from about 25 yards out.
The Australian managed to hit it in his stride with the inside of his foot with enough power to leave Tangerines keeper Harry Tyrer with no chance.
He was also listed as the assist for the third goal.
Although it was a simple pass in which Lucas Akins did all the work, it will still go down on the stats sheet.
Three chances created shows a creative spark in a game that wasn’t short of some big moments.
However, his efforts were in vain as Steve Bruce’s side salvaged a point at home, making it a memorable match in the end.
Sonny Perkins (Leyton Orient)
In the win for Orient against Lincoln, another young player shone for Richie Wellens’ side.
Former West Ham United and Leeds United midfielder Sonny Perkins is enjoying life back in East London and bagged himself a tidy first-half brace to seemingly put the game to bed.
Although the Imps brought the game back to 3-2 from 3-0 down, his side managed to hold on for the win.
Composed and technically brilliant, Perkins is another who has a bright future.
John McAtee (Bolton Wanderers)
Good times are back at Bolton Wanderers following the departure of Ian Evatt, with a 3-2 away win at Shrewsbury Town taking them level on points with the O’s and Charlton Athletic for the final play-off position.
A second-half double from John McAtee took Bolton from level to 3-1 up and all but secured the points before a late scare made it a slightly less flattering scoreline.
His first was a neatly curled finish low into the far corner after cutting in on his right foot and his second came after he latched onto a teasing cross out to the edge of the box, where he slotted with composure.
All against his former club as well, which would have made it even sweeter (or bittersweet depending on the terms he left the club).
Ilias Chair (Queens Park Rangers)
Effortless. Elegant. Emphatic.
The three words that best describe Ilias Chair’s brace against Derby County on Friday night, which helped QPR to an easy 4-0 win.
His first was an absolute beauty; swivelling on the edge of the box to curl into the far corner.
Having the defenders on strings paid dividends soon after, when he beat his man yet again and lashed a shot across goal, which was parried for Koki Saito to finish.
But Chair hadn’t finished, and he showed a true finishers instinct to latch onto a low cross to blast into the roof of the net.
Chris Martin (Bristol Rovers)
Not to be confused with the frontman of Coldplay, Bristol Rovers striker Martin had fans on their feet all afternoon and gave them a performance to remember in their 3-1 win at home to Burton Albion.
A lovely header to open the scoring, before turning provider for the other two goals sums up a proper outing for the forward.
With a beautiful flick on with his head again and a slotted pass to the feet of Isaac Hutchinson, days don’t get much better than a hat trick of goal involvements.
Martin’s exploits sent Rovers fans into ‘Paradise’ this weekend.
