Five EFL Talking Points From the Weekend: Derby Drama, Red-Hot Stars and a Home Fortress | OneFootball

Another fascinating weekend of EFL action has provided plenty for supporters to talk about, from dramatic local derbies and individual brilliance to bizarre moments that are likely to dominate the headlines for days to come.

With the new campaign beginning to take shape, there are already signs of storylines that could develop into something much bigger as the season progresses.

Some players are finding form at exactly the right time, while others are making their mark with spectacular goals. Elsewhere, one club is building a remarkable home record and one controversial incident has left the footballing world waiting to see what happens next.

Here are five of the biggest talking points from the EFL weekend.

1. Derby days deliver drama across the Championship

If there was one theme running through the Championship weekend, it was the unpredictability of derby football.

Three particularly eye-catching local rivalries provided very different stories, beginning at Deepdale, where Preston North End finally got their first points of the season by beating Blackburn Rovers.

Callum Lang was the hero for Paul Heckingbottom’s side, scoring twice to secure a huge Lancashire derby victory. The forward had gone 11 appearances without finding the net since his move from Portsmouth in February, but his decision to take his opportunity after being handed a start ahead of Jusef Erabi paid off handsomely.

For Heckingbottom, it was more than just three points. After Preston’s miserable start, could this kick-start their season and provide a much-needed confidence booster to pull themselves up the league table?

There was also little to separate Swansea City and Wrexham in an entertaining Welsh derby that ultimately finished goalless. Swansea retained their unbeaten start and remained top of the Championship, but Vitor Matos’ side were unable to turn their possession into clear-cut opportunities.

Wrexham, meanwhile, arguably had the better chances to win the game. It was a reminder that being the dominant side in terms of possession does not necessarily mean being the more dangerous team.

Then came the West Midlands derby between Birmingham City and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Four goals arrived before half-time, with Birmingham twice recovering from going behind. Jay Stansfield’s controversial equaliser was followed by Ladislav Krejci restoring Wolves’ lead before Jackson Tchatchoua produced one of the weekend’s strangest moments when his attempted backpass floated beyond José Sá and into his own net.

Birmingham ultimately held on for a 2-2 draw, extending their unbeaten start, while owner Tom Wagner’s return to St Andrew’s following his stroke earlier this year added an emotional layer to an already memorable afternoon.

The three derbies demonstrated exactly why these fixtures remain so important. Form can go out of the window, pressure can be intensified and, sometimes, anything can happen.

2. The EFL’s in-form players are already making their mark

It may still be early in the season, but several players are already putting together numbers that deserve serious attention.

West Bromwich Albion’s Jimmy-Jay Morgan has been one of the standout performers, registering three goals and two assists across his last five games. His contribution has given the Baggies another attacking outlet and suggests he could be one of the players to watch as the season develops.

Norwich City‘s Mohamed Touré has taken things to another level altogether. The Australian has produced 14 goals and four assists in 18 appearances for the Canaries, underlining just how important he has become to their attacking threat.

Middlesbrough also appear to have found a forward in red-hot form. Will Lankshear has scored five goals in five games since his £10 million move to the Riverside, giving supporters plenty of reason to believe the sizeable investment could pay dividends.

There is also plenty to like about Eom Ji-sung’s recent contribution for Swansea, with four goal involvements in his last two games.

In League One, Huddersfield Town have been able to rely on the partnership between Joe Taylor and Derensili Sanches Fernandes. Taylor has five goals and one assist, while Sanches Fernandes has contributed two goals and three assists, with the pair currently leading the respective goalscoring and assist charts.

Down in League Two, Aaron Drinan has wasted little time reminding everyone why he was named the division’s Player of the Season last year.

The Swindon Town forward already has five goals this campaign, including a hat-trick against Colchester United, and has now committed his future to the club until 2030.

The season is still in its infancy, but the early signs are clear: there is no shortage of attacking talent ready to make this campaign their own.

3. Which goal will win Goal of the Season?

It would be far too early to decide the EFL’s Goal of the Season, but that has not stopped the contenders from arriving thick and fast.

Last weekend’s action was headlined by Newport County’s Harrison Biggins scoring a stunning 70-yard goal in their defeat to Salford City, but there was no shortage of spectacular strikes to admire across the latest round of EFL fixtures.

Southampton’s Welington produced one of the standout strikes of the weekend with a rocket in the 1-1 draw against Lincoln City, while Kyle Wootton’s first-time volley was another eye-catching finish during Stockport County’s 4-0 victory over Wigan Athletic.

Anthony Musaba also opened his Norwich City account in style, guiding an excellent effort into the top corner during the 3-1 victory over Sheffield United.

Bradford City’s Antoni Sarcevic may have produced the most spectacular finish of the lot, with an acrobatic scissor-kick providing the only goal of the game against Mansfield Town.

There was individual brilliance elsewhere too.

Gillingham’s James Brophy embarked on a superb solo run from just inside the attacking half before finding the finish in their 4-1 victory over Rochdale, while Tom Knowles opened the scoring for Barnet in their thrilling 3-3 draw with Chesterfield.

Jay Stansfield’s control and finish for Birmingham against Wolves was another example of the quality being produced during the opening weeks of the campaign.

The beauty of the early-season Goal of the Season debate is that there is still so much time for the shortlist to grow. If this weekend is anything to go by, choosing a winner come May could be extremely difficult.

4. The Bielik incident leaves plenty of questions

Not every talking point from the weekend was about footballing quality.

Cardiff City’s defeat to Portsmouth was overshadowed by an extraordinary incident involving Krystian Bielik and a Portsmouth supporter at Fratton Park.

With Cardiff trailing 2-0, Bielik went to retrieve the ball from the side of the pitch. After the ball was thrown over him by a young-looking supporter, the Cardiff defender appeared to grab the fan around the neck before the supporter pushed him away and appeared to slap him.

The incident resulted in a stoppage of around three minutes, with Bielik later substituted. The FA could now consider whether further disciplinary action is required.

Regardless of the circumstances surrounding the confrontation, it was an incident that had no place in a football match.

It also raises wider questions about the relationship between players and supporters, particularly when emotions are running high. Players are expected to maintain their composure, while supporters also have responsibilities regarding their behaviour.

The coming days should provide greater clarity over whether there will be any consequences for those involved.

5. Bristol Rovers are turning home advantage into a fortress

While some clubs are still trying to establish their identity this season, Bristol Rovers are building something that could become a major weapon.

Their latest home victory extended their remarkable run to nine consecutive wins on home soil, putting them within touching distance of a piece of club history.

Only twice before have Rovers won 10 consecutive home games in the Football League: in April 1935 and August 2016.

That makes the next home fixture particularly significant.

Home form can often be the foundation of a successful season, particularly in the EFL where difficult away trips can quickly pile up. If Bristol Rovers can continue making their own ground an uncomfortable place for visiting sides, they will give themselves an important platform to build from.

There is also something psychologically significant about a run like this. The longer it continues, the more belief grows among the players and supporters, while opposition teams arrive knowing they are facing a side that simply does not like losing on home soil.

Rovers now have history within touching distance.

The EFL is already delivering.

Five games into the Championship campaign, and with the League One and League Two seasons beginning to settle, there is already no shortage of compelling storylines.

Derbies are producing drama, attackers are finding their rhythm, spectacular goals are arriving every weekend, and Bristol Rovers are threatening to rewrite their own history.

There will inevitably be twists and turns before the season reaches its conclusion, but if the opening weeks are anything to go by, the EFL is set for another campaign full of surprises.