Across the three divisions of the Football League, there are now no teams with a 100% record. While teams may have lost these records, there’s still enough to suggest that the leagues are beginning to take an early shape. Cardiff, Shrewsbury and Exeter lead the way in their respective divisions, and with the form each of them are in, why shouldn’t they be up there come the season’s end? This week’s Football League Roundup looks at the biggest surprise of these three teams, as well as some of the weekend’s other impressive performances.

Football League Roundup: Week Six

Five Star Leeds Demolish Burton

Leeds United continued their impressive form under new manager Thomas Christensen by brushing aside Burton with ease.

Debutant Pierre Michel-Lasogga scored a brace, with Kalvin Phillips, Pablo Hernandez and Kemar Roofe also netting.

Lasogga, on loan from Bundesliga side Hamburg, put Leeds in front just 20 minutes into his first appearance. Phillips then doubled the advantage, curling in a beautiful first-time effort from the edge of the area.

Lasogga went through trying to double his tally, but was brought down in the area by Jake Buxton. Pablo Hernandez stepped up, and he tucked his penalty past Steven Bywater to give Leeds a firm lead at the break.

Kemar Roofe kept up his impressive scoring run by adding a fourth for the hosts. Instead of using options to both sides of him, he advanced forward and curled a stunner beyond Bywater to make sure the visiting Brewers had no chance of reviving the game.

The man who started the day’s scoring then finished it off. Roofe kept hold of the ball at the by-line, and his cross was met by Lasogga, who placed his header beyond Bywater.

Shrewsbury now Leading the Way

Shrewsbury Town continue to defy the odds in League One and now lead the way in the division.

Peterborough were top after five wins from five, however they were soundly beaten by Bradford, giving the Shrews the opportunity to take the place for themselves.

They did so too, by beating visitors Wigan Athletic at New Meadow. Stefan Payne scored the only goal in a narrow 1-0 victory for the home side.

It was the visitors that started brightly, with Dean Henderson in the home goal having to block an effort from Nick Powell. Michael Jacobs also had a chance to score, but his shot hit the side netting.

It was Payne who did break the deadlock, though. James Bolton’s cross was nodded down by Toto Nsiala, and Payne shot high into the net to get his fourth goal of the season.

The home side are yet to lose this season, with five wins and one draw from six games. Going top of the table was the perfect way to mark the club’s 3,000th match in the Football League.

Time to Believe at Notts County?

After relegation from League One in 2014/15, Notts County struggled to adapt to life back in League Two. The Magpies finished 17th in the season of their return, and only went one place better last season.

Under the guidance of former Bolton and  Newcastle midfielder Kevin Nolan, they currently sit third in the division. Their only loss came on opening day away at Coventry. Impressive results followed afterwards, such as the defeat of Everton U21’s in the EFL Trophy and a 4-2 away win at Wycombe.

This weekend, they were the victors again as a goal in each half saw them brush aside Morecambe.

Dan Jones opened the scoring by curling in a stunning free-kick. It was the left-back’s first goal for the club after signing from Chesterfield in the summer.

Jonathan Forte then wrapped up the win for Nolan’s side. He raced through after a mistake in the Morecambe defence and, despite seeming to scuff his shot, it nestled in the net after striking the far post.

Lincoln Continue to Impress

Lincoln seemed to be all over the football headlines at the back end of last season. This was largely due to their magical FA Cup run that came to an end at the Emirates at the hands of Arsenal.

While not making the same sort of news this season, they are quietly but effectively going about their business on their return to League Two.

They sit 11th in the division, with two wins, three draws and one loss from their opening six games.

Their second win of the season came this weekend as they came from behind at Stevenage to win 2-1.

Matt Godden put the home side in front, and things looked to be getting better for them when Matt Green was sent off for Lincoln after getting his second yellow card.

Just six minutes after this though, Sean Raggett headed in Billy Knott’s corner to draw the visitors level.

The turnaround was completed when Ollie Palmer scored, converting a penalty after Chris Whelpdale was penalised for handball.

The game did finish level in terms of players, though. Stevenage’s Luke Wilkinson was given his marching orders for stamping on Alex Woodyard.

Elsewhere…

In the Championship, Middlesbrough were also big winners as Britt Assombalonga’s double helped them to a 3-0 win at Bolton. Sheffield Wednesday also scored three, but couldn’t keep a clean sheet as they beat Nottingham Forest 3-1 at Hillsborough.

Wednesday’s city rivals also impressed, as Deadline Day signing Clayton Donaldson scored a brace on his Sheffield United debut. They beat Sunderland 2-1 at the Stadium of Light.

Queens Park Rangers were also 2-1 victors as they beat Ipswich at Loftus Road. Their rivals, Brentford, held Aston Villa to a 0-0 draw at Villa Park.

Cardiff lost their 100% record as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Fulham, as were Preston at home to Barnsley thanks to Brad Potts’ first half equaliser for the visitors.

Norwich moved out of the relegation zone thanks to their 1-0 win over Birmingham. Aden Flint’s late goal also gave Bristol City a 1-0 win away at Reading. Wolves were the third team to win by that scoreline as they beat Millwall at home.

In League One, Bradford came away with the big result as they ended Peterborough unbeaten start to the season. They were 3-0 up at half-time, with Jack Baldwin scoring a consolation for the hosts.

Richie Towell scored a late winner for Rotherham as they beat Bury 3-2 at the New York Stadium, while Oxford continued their flying form by disposing of Gillingham in a 3-0 win.

Oldham got their first point of the season as they drew 2-2 away at Fleetwood. Charlton, on the other hand, moved up to second as they beat Southend 2-1. Bristol Rovers were also 2-1 victors in their home game with Walsall.

Northampton won for the first time this season, beating Doncaster 1-0 at Sixfields. The Cobblers’ neighbours, MK Dons, also got their first away win of the season on the long trip down to Plymouth. Aidan Nesbitt scored the only goal of the game in that one.

Blackburn continued to turn their season around with a comfortable 3-0 victory at Rochdale, and finally Scunthorpe and Blackpool played out a 0-0 draw.

In League Two, Mansfield and Crewe were the big winners. Firstly, the Stags beat Grimsby 4-1 in the early kick-off. However, Crewe went one better by putting five past Chesterfield in a 5-1 win.

Accrington comfortably beat Carlisle 3-0, as did Swindon in their 3-0 victory away at Luton.

Barnet continued their impressive start as they won 3-1 against Cambridge at the Hive. Colchester also won by the same score in their home game with Crawley.

Coventry sent Port Vale to the bottom of the table thanks to a narrow 1-0 win, and Forest Green also continued to struggle as they went down 3-1 at home to Exeter.

Finally, Newport played out a 0-0 draw with Wycombe, as did Cheltenham on their visit to Yeovil.

The Football League continues in midweek with a full lineup in all three divisions. The only exception to this is Hull’s trip to Fulham, which takes place on Wednesday.

 

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