Championship round-up: Centre-back duo earn highest WhoScored ratings
Leeds United are still the team to beat in the Championship this season after extending their unbeaten start to the campaign to five matches. A comprehensive 3-0 win away to Norwich keeps them top of the table on goal difference heading into Friday’s mouth-watering encounter against second-place Middlesbrough. Following Saturday’s win at Carrow Road, Marcelo Bielsa’s side have three representatives in the WhoScored Team of the Week.
Top spot, however, is reserved for Rotherham centre-back Sean Raggett, who garnered the highest WhoScored rating from the weekend’s action (9.08). On loan from Norwich, Raggett scored the winner against Millwall on just his second appearance for Rotherham. The Millers had lost their last two matches prior to the weekend’s action but are now three points clear of the relegation zone.
Raggett was colossal for Paul Warne’s side. As well as scoring the only goal of the game, he won nine aerial duels and completed 13 clearances to help Rotherham keep their second clean sheet of the season.
The 25-year-old centre-back wasn’t the only centre-back to impress in the Championship this weekend, as Sheffield United’s Chris Basham recorded the second highest WhoScored rating in the division (8.94). The Blades recorded a huge 3-0 win away to Bolton on Saturday to make it three wins on the spin and move into the playoff positions.
Like Raggett, Basham played an important part at the back for his team, as United also kept a clean sheet this weekend. The 30-year-old won four aerial duels and completed eight clearances, while also making four tackles and interceptions combined. Not only did Basham excel in defence, he was also a threat going forward, attempting two shots. Not known for his ability to create goals, Basham also provided an assist in the victory.
Rounding off the three highest WhoScored rated players from the latest round of Championship matches is Sheffield Wednesday’s Lucas Joao. On just his first league start of the season, the 24-year-old opened his account for the campaign with a brace at home to Ipswich in a 2-1 win. Wednesday are on a role at the moment, picking up both league wins of the season in their last two outings to move away from the foot of the table.
Joao scored two goals from four shots, completed three dribbles and was also fouled three times in what proved a decisive performance for Jos Lukukay’s side. The Portuguese winger will now hope to become a regular in the side following his man of the match performance on Saturday.
While the aforementioned trio turned in top performances, Hull’s Evandro had a weekend to forget, picking up the lowest WhoScored rating in the Championship (4.54). With Hull 2-0 down to Stoke, Evandro ruled out any chance of a late comeback after being sent off for a second-bookable offence on the hour mark. Prior to that, the 32-year-old was dispossessed four times.
