Footballs Weekly Roundup #6

Premier League

Once again in the Premier League this season we saw a weekend rife with red card drama.

First was Ashley Young, who saw red in his side's away defeat to bitter rivals Liverpool, a game which saw Mohamed Salah score his sixth ad seventh goals of the season. With the 'Egyptian King' back at his dazzling best could we see the Reds really mount a title challenge this season?

Following on from this, Burnley's Conor Roberts received a second yellow card late on in his sides away humbling at the hands of Brentford. It's a result that leaves the Clarets sat in 18th having conceded a whopping 23 goals already. Shaky to say the least.

Now from Lancashire to the south coast where Gary O'Neill got one over on his former employees helped no end by Lewis Cook's second half head-butt, whilst in Manchester Pep Guardiola's side restored order with a two-one victory over Brighton. Despite an added time dismissal for Manuel Akanji the citizens will go into next weeks Manchester derby with a spring in their step.

Elsewhere, the Arsenal goalkeeper debate may have been reopened following a shaky display from David Raya at Stamford Bridge. In spite of this, a late fightback from the gunners means they have maintained their unbeaten start to the season.

And up north Newcastle United cemented their place as the top scorers in the league with a brilliant four goal display against Crystal Palace including an audacious (and seemingly unintentional) lob from Jacob Murphy.

With Aston Villa putting on a show at home to West Ham and Spurs and Fulham still yet to face off on Monday, Manchester City have reclaimed their spot atop the table for now.

Player of the Weekend - Jacob Murphy (Newcastle United)

It's an unlikely but definitely deserved player of the week this week in the Premier League as Jacob Murphy takes the accolade for his impressive performance at home to Crystal Palace. Whilst the Englishman's goal was almost certainly a fluke, there was no such luck with the rest of his performance as the winger produced two deliveries of exceptional quality as his side dominated the match.

Championship

In the Championship this week we were a fixture down on Saturday as Ipswich's trip to Rotherham was postponed due to flooding near the stadium. 

Nevertheless, the games continued elsewhere with many a fixture yielding just a one-goal winning margin. Arguably the most important of these though was Watford's one-nil home victory over Sheffield Wednesday, a result which made it a record breaking start for the Owls who have failed to win any of their 12 league fixtures thus far. Historically bad. 

Elsewhere, Stoke and Huddersfield also recorded important home victories to put some distance between themselves and the drop zone. In fact, following Stoke's victory over Sunderland, just six points separate the two sides despite the 14-place gap in the table. The Championship truly is a mad league.

And speaking of madness, what happened at Carrow Road? Daniel Farke's side went into the break two down against his former employers before Shane Duffy went from hero to villain with an own goal to kick off a remarkable fight back for the away side. It's three wins on the bounce now for Leeds who will be looking to take Leeds straight back to the top flight at the first time of asking.

Player of the Weekend - Crysencio Summerville (Leeds United)

And of course our player of the weekend this time out had to be Leeds United forward Crysencio Summerville who's late brace snatched all three points at Carrow Road. The 21 year old now has four goals this season and will be hungry for more as his side chase down a runaway front two.

League One

In League One this weekend, Cheltenham Town finally won a game. Having failed to score in their opening ten fixtures, Liam Sercombe's fifth minute goal (his side's second all campaign long) was enough to earn the Robins all three points at home to Cambridge United. Whilst they still sit bottom of the table, Cheltenham are no longer the worst starters in the EFL this season (see above).

In fact, following yet another defeat for Reading the gap at the bottom is now just one point. Ruben Sélles' outfit could well be in serious trouble as they are now winless in five league games and continue to plummet. Could it be back-to-back relegations for the Royals?

In more positive news, Wigan Athletic stopped the rot with victory over Exeter City (who are in a slump of their own). Managing just five shots to Exeter's 30, it was a result which certainly flattered the away side. Nevertheless, manager Shaun Maloney will be delighted to see his side finally back in winning form.

Further up the table, Portsmouth continues their impressive string of victories as they edged past lowly Carlisle United. They now sit top thanks to the efforts of Blackpool who forced a one-all draw away at Oxford United courtesy of a stoppage time winner from none other than Jordan Rhodes.

Player of the Weekend - Corey Blackett-Taylor (Charlton Athletic)

The only man it could be this week, Corey Blackett-Taylor provided three assists as his side put Reading to the sword with an impressive four goal display. It's four goals and five assists now for the former England u-19 international this season, certainly a campaign to remember for the 26 year old.

League Two

The status quo was largely maintained in League Two this weekend with Stockport County notching up another win to make it nine in a row across all competitions now, helped no end by a fast start at home to Grimsby Town. 

Meanwhile, Sutton United remain rooted to the foot of the table following a defeat to Morecambe. Having fought back to level pegging from two down, Joel Senior's late winner will be a real dagger to the hearts of the home fans, who have seen their side concede 33 times already this campaign. 

And the goals kept flying in up and down the land with six scored in both Newport and Crawley, with both games featuring the customary stoppage time goal. For Crewe Alexandra (who downed Crawley Town by four goals to two) it was a result which kept them in touch with top spot on 26 points, just three behind the aforementioned Stockport County.

Player of the Weekend - Sam Folarin (Harrogate Town)

And finally, in League Two our player of the weekend this time is Harrogate Town forward Sam Folarin who came off the bench to change the game. Setting up the first before knocking home the second, Folarin was crucial in his side's two-one victory over Colchester to leave them in the bottom three.