Big wins for Newcastle United and Barnsley meant there was plenty of competition for Team of the Week places in week seven.
Newcastle United’s Jonjo Shelvey celebrates scoring the first goal with the Newcastle fans
There were some thrilling matches and big victories in the Championship this week, as 34 goals were scored across the 12 matches in the league.
There wasn’t too much movement at the top, but plenty changed down the bottom of the table as two teams were replaced in the relegation zone.
Plenty of players stood out, with 26 different scorers and a number of defenders and goalkeepers keeping clean sheets.
Here is the Championship Team of the Week for week seven:
Goalkeeper
Ali Al Habsi – Reading
The Reading keeper was in fine form against Birmingham City on Tuesday evening, as he made a couple of good saves to keep a clean sheet and help his side earn a 0-0 draw at the Madejski.
The former Wigan man has only conceded once in his previous three matches for the Royals, and he had to be at his best to twice deny City forward Lukas Jutkiewicz in the first half.
After that, he wasn’t overly busy, but still held on to keep a deserved clean sheet.
Reading’s Ali Al Habsi celebrates
Defence
Tom Clarke – Preston North End
The Preston captain grabbed a goal and a clean sheet in the 3-0 victory over Cardiff City at Deepdale on Tuesday night, as his side moved out of the Championship relegation zone.
It was Clarke’s first goal since 2014 as he pounced on a keeper error by Cardiff’s Ben Wilson to put the hosts deservedly in front.
The 28-year-old marshalled his back for admirably as the Bluebirds’ failed to find a way back into the match as the Lillywhites proceeded to score two more.
Tom Clarke of Preston North End
Ciaran Clark – Newcastle United
In only his third game for Newcastle, defender Ciaran Clark picked up a goal, assist and a clean sheet in a perfect evening for the Magpies at Loftus Road, as they trounced QPR 6-0.
The former Villa man met a Matt Ritchie corner to head in Newcastle’s fourth of the evening, before teeing up Grant Hanley who completed the rout with 12 minutes to spare.
Clark played in both centre-back and left-back during the match and was equally effective in both, as he didn’t really let the Hoops get a sniff at goal.
Newcastle United’s Ciaran Clark celebrates scoring their fourth goal
Ryan Sessegnon – Fulham
The youngster’s stoppage time equaliser rescued what could prove to be an important point for Fulham as they avoided an embarrassing defeat to league newcomers Burton Albion.
The 16-year-old has been a revelation for the Cottagers so far this season, with two goals already and he put in another high quality display on Tuesday evening.
Fulham’s Ryan Sessegnon in action
Midfield
Matt Ritchie – Newcastle United
Matt Ritchie has been an influential part of Newcastle’s fantastic run of form in the Championship, as he picked up two assists as his side ran riot against QPR.
His workrate and desire are second to none, and his technical ability is worthy of the Premier League, as he provided exquisite deliveries to both Clark and Ayoze Perez.
The former Bournemouth man was a threat all evening and just adds an air of class to every attack he’s involved with.
Newcastle United’s Matt Ritchie in action
Jonjo Shelvey – Newcastle United
Jonjo Shelvey’s midfield masterclass in the 6-0 win over QPR was nothing short of outstanding, and was deservedly rewarded with two goals.
The first had a big slice of fortune about it as his low drive took a heavy deflection off Steven Caulker and into the back of the net, but his second was a goal of the season contender as he expertly curled the ball right into the top right-hand corner from 25-yards.
Creatively, the England international was a constant threat as he set up numerous chances for his side as he really looks to be hitting form for the Magpies.
Playing in the second tier may put him out of contention, but if Shelvey keeps his form up there’s a slight chance he could be returning to the England set-up in the near future.
Newcastle United’s Jonjo Shelvey applauds fans after the game
Conor Hourihane – Barnsley
The Championship Player of the Month continued his rich vein of form with another goal for Barnsley in the clinical 4-0 victory over Wolves.
After a goalless first half, Hourihane gave Barnsley a deserved lead as he prodded the ball home with little over 15 minutes to go.
The Barnsley captain has been excellent so far this season and against Wolves he lead his team to yet another victory with an excellent performance from midfield.
Conor Hourihane celebrates scoring for Barnsley
Jon Taylor – Rotherham United
Rotherham’s summer signing made a big impact with a crucial brace to help the Millers moved out of the Championship relegation zone following a 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest.
Taylor opened the scoring on the half-hour mark as he stroked the ball past Forest stopper Vladimir Stojkovic, before the visitors turned things around to lead 2-1 as Rotherham were reduced to 10-men.
But Taylor stepped up again to curl in a superb late equaliser as Rotherham hung on for the point.
Rotherham’s Jon Taylor celebrates scoring their first goal
Attack
Ayoze Perez – Newcastle United
Newcastle’s Spanish forward Ayoze Perez grabbed his first league goal of the season with a neat finish at the second attempt during the Magpies’ victory over QPR.
The 23-year-old also had a goal wrongly disallowed, and did well to lay the ball off to Shelvey for his superb second of the evening.
Perez was a menace for the Rs defence all evening with his skill, movement and surprising amount of physicality both on and off the ball.
Newcastle United’s Ayoze Perez celebrates scoring their second goal
Tammy Abraham – Bristol City
Despite Tammy Abraham’s two first half headers that put Bristol City two goals to the good at half-time, the Robins collapsed in the second half as Sheffield Wednesday turned the game on its head with a late, late winner.
Still, the in-form youngster displayed real striker instincts for both goals in what was another hugely promising display.
As the game went on his impact dwindled, but with eight goals in nine games Abraham is certainly a striker to be wary of.
Bristol City’s Tammy Abraham celebrates scoring their goal
Jacob Murphy – Norwich City
Two more goals for Murphy has taken him joint top of the division’s scoring charts as his brace proved crucial in the 2-1 win against Wigan Athletic at Carrow Road.
He capitalised on an error by Wigan keeper Adam Bogdan to stroke the ball into an empty net, before he doubled the Canaries’ advantage with a far post tap in following Wes Hoolahan’s parried effort.
It was a case of Murphy being in the right place at the right time as his goals ultimately saw Norwich claim three valuable points to keep the pressure on the teams at the top of the table.
Jacob Murphy of Norwich City celebrates scoring his team’s first goal
Championship Team of the Week (3-4-3): Al Habsi; Clarke, Clark, Sessegnon; Ritchie, Shelvey, Hourihane, Taylor; Perez, Abraham, Murphy
Player of the Week: Jonjo Shelvey (Newcastle United)
Newcastle United’s Jonjo Shelvey celebrates scoring their third goal
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