Championship round-up: Sunderland stay perfect, Robinson saves Cardiff
Another weekend of thoroughly entertaining matches is now over, with just two sides maintaining 100 per cent records while some of the initial promotion favourites look to be faltering.
The bottom end of the division is starting to take shape as well, with several clubs suffering slow starts to the campaign.
In Flashscore's weekly round-up, we'll take a look at all the main talking points from the weekend's Championship action.
Sunderland's best start in 99 years
Sunderland confirmed their best start to a league season in 99 years after beating Burnley 1-0 on Saturday to go top of the table - also winning their first three league games without conceding a goal for the first time in their history.
There were huge doubts for the Black Cats heading into the game after news broke that star player Jack Clarke had been sold to Premier League side Ipswich without sufficient time for them to sign a replacement for a forward who scored 15 goals last season.
Sometimes, though, the answer is closer to home than football fans realise.
Exciting youngster Romaine Mundle stepped in on the left for Sunderland and delivered when it mattered most with an exceptional goal midway through the first half, cutting onto his right and curling into the bottom corner.
The Championship's surprise package thus far held on comfortably for the rest of the match to see out another top victory - this time against the league favourites for promotion.
Burnley's emphatic start to life back in the second tier had been completely derailed in the week with news of impending departures for several members of their first-team squad, leaving them threadbare for their trip to the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland took full advantage to leapfrog the Clarets at the top of the table, even after having captain Dan Neil sent off in the 85th minute.
Reality check for Luton
Luton had an exciting yet ultimately unsuccessful stint in the Premier League last season and were expected to be among the promotion favourites in the Championship this time around.
The Hatters had ironically signed very well for the second tier during their time in the top flight, bringing in the likes of Tahith Chong and Chiedozie Ogbene who are both top-end Championship talents.
Their season couldn't have gotten off to a worse start, though, with Rob Edwards' side without a win in their opening three games - scoring just one goal.
Luton's poor form continued against Preston over the weekend, losing 1-0 away from home against a side who only appointed new manager Paul Heckingbottom four days prior.
A Will Keane goal - yes, the former Manchester United striker - left Luton 23rd in the league with just one point from their opening three games.
To make matters worse, they are already eight points behind arch-rivals Watford who sit second in the table and were thought to be one of the main relegation candidates heading into the campaign; highlighting the unpredictable nature of the Championship.
Luton have time on their side but need to act quickly to push back up the table.
Robinson to the rescue for Cardiff
The South Wales Derby took place on Sunday, with Cardiff - without a goal or a point before the match - travelling to Swansea.
The hosts drew first blood in what has become one of the fiercest encounters in the Championship, with Liam Cullen opening the scoring early in the match; his third in four games against the Blue Birds.
Cardiff kept themselves in the game though, until Callum Robinson was introduced on 70 minutes with the task of turning the tide in their favour.
He did just that, curling into the bottom corner after a sweeping move to send the away fans wild, leading to huge 'limbs' and an advertising board toppling over.
The derby didn't go by without controversy, with Cardiff manager Erol Bulut sent off in an added time that stretched the game well over 100 minutes - although neither side could find a winner.
It hasn't been the perfect start to the season for Bulut's men, but they got their first point on the board in style against their biggest rivals.
Harris' Goal of the Season contender
Our 'Goal of the Week' takes us over to Ewood Park, where Oxford fell on the wrong end of a 2-1 defeat to Blackburn Rovers.
Despite the loss, Oxford fans will remember their goal for years to come with striker Mark Harris volleying in first time from over 30 yards out - netting his third in as many games and what will likely be the Goal of the Season come May.
Goalkeeper Jamie Cumming ambitiously punted long to the experienced Matt Phillips, who cushioned it off his chest back into the path of Harris to smash home, all without the ball touching the ground.
Saydee excels for Pompey
Our Player of the Week for the weekend is Portsmouth's Christian Saydee, who netted twice in their 2-2 draw against Middlesbrough to earn himself an 8.6 player rating - the highest of anyone in the Championship across all 12 fixtures.
The striker helped his side to their third-straight draw since returning to the second tier, all of which against promotion contenders.
Saydee features in this week's 'Top XI', comprised of the highest ratings from the weekend's games.
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