It was a great weekend of action across the EFL with at least one goal scored in every game played. Here are a few of the big talking points from the Sky Bet Championship, League One and League Two.
1. A happy Riverside return for Garry Monk
Sheffield Wednesday beat Middlesbrough 4-1 at the Riverside to end a string of unhappy results for the former Boro boss. Since departing from the Riverside in 2017, Monk has faced his former club three times, losing on every occasion. His Sheffield Wednesday side put four past Jonathan Woodgate’s Middlesbrough, making it three league games unbeaten for the new Wednesday boss. The Owls are also up to seventh in the Championship table.
2. Exeter City stopped in their tracks
League Two leaders Exeter City fell to their first league defeat of the season as Grimsby Town shocked them with a 3-1 win at St James Park. Conceding seven goals midweek against Chelsea didn’t seem to phase Michael Jolley’s side as they put three past the Grecians. Despite the defeat, Exeter remain top of the table on goal difference.
3. 13 goals in seven days for Oxford United
Seven days, 13 goals scored, no goals conceded. As weeks go, this one will be difficult to beat for Oxford United and Karl Robinson. Before last week’s game against Lincoln City, Oxford United had recorded just two wins from eight games in all competitions but since their 6-0 thrashing of the Imps, Oxford look a different side. On Tuesday they defeated Premier League West Ham 4-0 to reach Round Four of the Carabao Cup and yesterday their week was topped off with a 3-0 win over Gillingham. It was also their fifth clean sheet in a row.
Manager Karl Robinson said: It is a true pleasure to watch this team at the moment. We’re scoring goals at will."
4. Lee Bowyer upsets former club
Having won all four of their away league games so far this season, Leeds United had the chance to go top of the Championship with a result against Charlton Athletic at The Valley. Looking for a fifth straight away win for the first time since the 1973-74 season, who else to stop them in their tracks but former player Lee Bowyer? Charlton fans feared for the result with the absence of striker Lyle Taylor but his replacement Macauley Bonne stepped up to be the match-winner as the Addicks continue their impressive start to life back in the Sky Bet Championship.
5. More clean-sheets for Forest Green
Forest Green Rovers have kept more clean sheets that any other side in English football and that didn’t stop yesterday as they put four past Salford City with no return. The win yesterday makes it eight clean sheets for the season for Mark Cooper’s side, currently occupying fourth spot in the League Two table. Yesterday’s result also made it five clean sheets in a row in the league.