In the final week of Championship action before the dreaded international break we saw Sunderland retain their immaculate record so far this season, Millwall, Norwich and QPR pick up their first victories and the spoils shared in the Lancashire derby.
Below is our Team of the Week, spotlighting some of the commendable performances across the fourth weekend of action in the 2024/25 Championship season.
Goalkeeper – Angus Gunn (Norwich City)
It’s been a turbulent first summer in charge for Norwich City manager, Johannesburg Hoff Thorup, with a host of Canaries players pushing through exit over the course of the summer.
The closure of the window appears to have offered Thorup and his players some clarity and balance with the Yellows picking up their first win of the season away to Coventry City on Saturday.
Gunn was instrumental to Norwich’s clean sheet and victory, saving an impressive five attempts at goal, proving an insurmountable force for Coventry who couldn’t find the back of the net.
Left Back – Junior Firpo (Leeds United)
Leeds United are starting to find their feet this season, already an improvement on the Whites agonisingly slow start last campaign, with a notable factor in both victories being Daniel Farke’s defence who have now kept back-to-back clean sheets.
Although Junior Firpo isn’t exactly renowned for his defensive abilities, the Dominican international ensured that he nullified Abdulkadir Omur’s threat whilst still being a key creative player for Leeds.
Firpo’s performances have extinguished some doubts over Leeds United’s lack of midfield creativity by providing plenty of it from defence, manufacturing three chances against Hull, more than any other player on the pitch.
The former Barcelona man’s commendable display was aptly rewarded in the closing stages of the game as Joel Piroe fired home Firpo’s pinpoint low cross to double Leeds United’s lead.
Centre Back – Ciaron Brown (Oxford United)
It was an all-action performance for Oxford United’s Northern Irish centre back who contributed an assist as well as ensuring that Preston’s early goal would be their only celebratory moment of the game.
Brown won both of his ground duels at the heart of the U’s defence and showed creative instincts not often associated with a defender for Oxford United’s third goal, unselfishly nodding Sam Long’s floated cross towards the back post and into the path of the on-running Gregory Leigh to wrap up all three points for Des Buckingham’s men.
Centre Back – Matthew Clarke (Middlesbrough)
Clarke inspired a much-needed Boro win after Michael Carrick’s side were embarrassingly beaten 5-0 at home in midweek by Stoke City in the Carabao Cup.
The 27-year-old had plenty of importance upon his shoulders due to his centre-back partner being Luke Ayling, who isn’t naturally a central defender. Clarke relished in the pressure though winning all two of his attempted tackles, making two blocks and eleven clearances to ensure a defensive shutout for Middlesbrough.
Clarke came up trumps for Middlesbrough both ends, powering a header past Ethan Horvath in the Cardiff net in the 55th minute to hand his side the lead which they doubled in the final eight minutes of the game.
Right Back – Anferee Dijksteel (Middlesbrough)
Although Cardiff City have made a woeful start to the Championship campaign, Middlesbrough still did very well to ensure a clean sheet in Wales, considering the long list of absentees that Michael Carrick is currently having to deal with.
Dijksteel was defensively sound, unbelievably pulling off all seven of his attempted tackles in the match whilst also winning 9/10 ground duels that the Suriname international attempted.
Midfielder – David Ozoh (Derby County)
The 19-year-old Crystal Palace loaned has become an instant hit at Pride Park, with his wonderful solo goal in Derby’s 3-0 win against Bristol City likely to lure many Rams fans into the typical saying of ‘falling in love with a loan player’.
Ozoh was key in driving the ball forward for Paul Warne’s side, completing two out of two dribbles, creating a chance and only misplacing a single pass across the ninety minutes.
The teenager slammed home a long-range effort in the final minutes of Derby’s victory, capping off a wonderful performance with a spectacular strike that was part of a move kickstarted by the midfielder.
Midfielder – Casper De Norre (Millwall)
Millwall’s Belgian midfielder picked up the club’s Man of the Match award, and rightly so, as the 27-year-old played a pivotal role in orchestrating the Lions’ 3-0 triumph over Sheffield Wednesday.
The Millwall midfielder stopped any Wednesday breaks or drives towards his team’s goal with his three tackles limiting the visitor’s total shots to just four in the game.
De Norre chipped in going forward too, perfectly lifting a cross over the Sheffield Wednesday defence and onto the head of Jake Cooper who nodded in Millwall’s third.
Midfielder – Kenzo Goudmijn (Derby County)
Derby County bossed Bristol City’s midfield in their 3-0 victory, hence the inclusion of both David Ozoh and Kenzo Goudmijn in this team.
The Dutchman set the tone for the Rams with his speculative effort finding the back of the net in the 28th minute, although the former AZ Alkmaar man also contributed creatively, creating one of Derby’s four ‘big chances’ in the game.
Left Wing – Manor Solomon (Leeds United)
Solomon’s inclusion in Daniel Farke’s starting eleven against Hull may have come as a surprise to many Leeds United fans due to the forward only joining the club four days prior to Leeds’ clash with Hull.
The 25-year-old instantly slotted into Farke’s side despite not starting a game of football since September of 2023, dancing through the Hull City defence and providing Leeds United with a fresh attacking outlet, completing two successful dribbles and creating two chances in his 72 minutes on the pitch.
Solomon’s efforts were rewarded in the 63rd minute as the Tottenham loanee swung in a wicked cross that was met by Mateo Joseph for Leeds’ opener. Firpo and Solomon shone on the left wing and should both stay fit, an effective partnership could blossom at Elland Road between the pair.
Centre Forward – Michael Frey (QPR)
Queen’s Park Rangers picked up their first victory of the season away to struggling Luton Town and it was a win led by Christian Frey who put in an old school striker performance that the Hatters couldn’t deal with.
Frey was a handful for Luton’s defenders, constantly utilising his unusual combination of height and strength, whilst still possessing a good first touch and quick feet that perplexed Luton Town’s back line.
QPR levelled the game thanks for Frey’s assist that was birthed through some traditional target man play, before the Swiss striker clinched all three points for the visitors with a thunderous back post volley.
Right Wing – Million Manhoef
Manhoef’s brace off the bench against Middlesbrough in midweek earned him a more advanced role for Stoke City’s narrow victory away to Plymouth.
The Dutch forward netted the winner for the Potters in the 83rd minute, in a closely fought clash that was decided by Manhoef’s moment of brilliance as the 22-year-old fired a rocket into the back of the Argyle net from just inside the box.
