In the Premier League, Ethan Ampadu was in the starting line-up for Sheffield United as they hosted Manchester City, but was unable to prevent them suffering a 1-0 defeat. Michy Batshuayi and Crystal Palace were on the receiving end of the same scoreline away at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday evening.

Ross Barkley was also on the losing side with Aston Villa, but they came close to a remarkable fight back as two injury-time goals pulled the scored back to 4-3, having been 4-0 down to Southampton, but an equaliser proved beyond them.

It was a happier week for our loanees in the Championship. Marc Guehi helped Swansea City climb to second place in the table with consecutive 2-0 home victories, over Stoke City and Blackburn Rovers. Guehi played a major part in the first of those, as his cross proved too difficult for the goalkeeper to cope with, allowing Jay Fulton to open the scoring. Swansea’s second goal in that match was scored by Guehi’s former Chelsea Academy team-mate Kasey Palmer.

Jamal Blackman kept a clean sheet on a big night for Rotherham United in midweek, as they beat 10-man Sheffield Wednesday 3-0 in a local derby to record their first Championship win since the opening day of the season. Despite making a couple of good saves to keep Rotherham in the game on Saturday, he couldn’t prevent them losing 1-0 away at Stoke, but the derby win means they remain three points clear of the relegation zone.

Izzy Brown missed Sheffield Wednesday’s defeat to Rotherham, but returned as a substitute for the Owls in the weekend’s 1-0 defeat away at Wycombe Wanderers.

Ian Maatsen and Charlton Athletic extended their winning run to five matches in League One, as they beat Oxford United and Portsmouth, both 2-0, to go within three points of first place. It was Maatsen who created Charlton’s first goal at Portsmouth, getting behind the defence and volleying a cross for Jonny Williams to score.

Luke McCormick started Bristol Rovers’ 3-1 defeat to Hull City in midweek and came off the bench as they earned a point in a 1-1 draw away at Rochdale on Saturday.

There were back-to-back clean sheets for Jamie Cumming in League Two, as the goalkeeper kept the opposition at bay in Stevenage’s 0-0 draws with Harrogate Town and Grimsby Town.

Armando Broja scored his fourth goal of the season as Vitesse went joint top of the Eredivisie table. He swept in a cross with his right foot to get their second of a 3-1 win away at Willem II, meaning they are now only behind league leaders Ajax on goal difference.

In Portugal, Lucas Piazon scored his first goals for Rio Ave to give them a 2-0 home win over Moreirense. The Brazilian cut in from the right wing to open the scoring in the 14th minute with his left foot and then sealed the victory from the penalty spot late on.

It was a mixed week in Italy for Tiemoue Bakayoko, who helped Napoli win 1-0 away Real Socieded to record their first Europa League victory of the season, but then suffered a surprise 2-0 defeat at home to Sassuolo in Serie A. Kenedy was also in Europa League action with Spanish side Granada, as they stayed top of their group after drawing 0-0 at home with PAOK.

Matt Miazga helped Anderlecht to keep a clean sheet for the first time during his spell in Belgium, as they won 1-0 at home against Royal Antwerp on Sunday. It wasn’t such a good weekend for Ike Ugbo and Cercle Bruges, though, as they were beaten 3-0 by Charleroi.

Lewis Baker was involved in a crazy game for Trabzonspor as they came back from a goal down to take a 3-1 first-half lead at home against Kasimpasa, but ultimately lost 4-3 as they away side scored twice in the last three minutes. Victor Moses and Spartak Moscow suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Rostov in Russia.