Relief for Norwich & Hellberg's dream start - Sam Parkin's EFL takeaways

The Blades made it three wins in a row at the expense of Leicester, who continue to look off colour.

Parkin: "It's been a massive week for Sheffield United. It looked like that derby win, despite Sheffield Wednesday's troubles, has probably been really good for the spirit.

"In the early part of the season there was a lack of creativity but that's been amended with nine goals in their last three games.

"With the squad they have got and having Chris Wilder back I fully expect them to rise up the table and get themselves away from the danger zone.

"On Leicester, even though they rallied in the second half I don't think that's going to appease the supporters. The players have been desperately short in all areas.

"The most damaging thing is that attitudes have been questioned time and time again.

"Having to resent and be back in the Championship is quite tough. I think that's the reality of what's going on there.

"Two disappointing defeats and the manager is going to come under scrutiny as well."

Frank Lampard marked one year in charge of Coventry City by taking the Sky Blues 12 points clear of third-placed Millwall.

Parkin: "I'm a bit reluctant to go too heavy because it's so early and anything can happen, but it's kind of unprecendented what we are seeing.

"Today my biggest takeaway is the goalscorers. Ellis Simms was probably third choice to be playing down the middle a while ago. Through injuries to others and opportunities that have presented themselves to him he's taken it with both hands.

"Josh Eccles scored today as well and wasn't a guaranteed starter, it just shows the strength in depth.

"Goals from different players and not conceding many, and coming from behind and being able to turn it around - they are the real deal.

"I can't see a way that they are going to capitulate to the extent where they are not going to be in the fight for automatic promotion come April.

"This is an incredible Championship team that we are watching and a brilliant story."

The Canaries earned their first home win of the season and Philippe Clement's first win in charge with victory over QPR.

Parkin: "It's a brilliant win off the back of QPR winning two on the spin. Norwich would have been really deflated in midweek when they conceded in injury time.

"Firstly, it will be an enormous relief for the players to win at Carrow Road, it will just start to get that spirit back.

"It's so important with Oxford winning on Friday that they managed to find something.

"It's been a long time coming, a massive win for them."

Kim Hellberg made a winning start to life as Middlesbrough boss as his new side beat in-form Derby 2-1.

Parkin: "When you factor in they were playing against the form team in the division, with six wins in seven, and they went goal down - John Eustace's teams are hard to break down at the best of times - Middlesbrough have had a tough few weeks and they were quite patched-up as well.

"Morgan Whittaker is the story there as well. He was under scrutiny a month or six weeks ago and he's turned his Middlesbrough career around. All of a sudden he's becoming a big part of things.

"Matt Targett has also been really good since he's gone there and was one of few defenders they had got available, and got his goal.

"With the relegated sides from the Premier League struggling for rythmn it's a real open division."

Plymouth Argyle and Bristol Rovers remain in relegation trouble after torrid runs of form.

Parkin: "Tom Cleverley had a tough job because Plymouth lost so many players and brought so many in. It was such a big overhaul of the squad, it was going to take a little bit of time for him to find that rythmn and chemistry.

"I thought it was a tough job off the back of last season, but you have to see the fruits of his labour now we have had a fair chunk of the season, and we are not really seeing that.

"Lorent Tolaj has been their best player, so to now be potentially missing him for three games could have really bad repurcussions for the team and the manager.

"I think it's a little bit different for Darrell Clarke, he's got cash in the bank given what he did the first time round.

"But there comes a time where if you keep losing games your position is going to be under scrutiny. It's a position that most managers don't normally come back from.

"But Darrell Clarke has great history with the club, I would imagine it's a slightly different predicament than some of the other managers in the EFL that are under huge pressure."

The Saddlers preserved top spot in League Two with a 3-1 win over their unlikely promotion rivals Bromley.

Parkin: "That was a massive game and a brilliant win. Bromley had won four in a row and have the best scorer in the league in Michael Cheek.

"It would have been a battle up there, the Walsall team doesn't look dissimilar to the team that was flying during the first half of last season.

"Daniel Kanu is proving to be the perfect replacement for Nathan Lowe and they have replaced a lot of lads that they lost last season with equal quality.

"I'm really impressed with what Mat Sadler has done after what was the disappointment of last season and the play-off final defeat."

Sam Parkin was talking to BBC Sport England's Steve Jones.