Joy for Lampard and Steel City woe - Aaron McLean's EFL takeaways

Saturday's EFL action provided the usual thrills and spills we've come to expect over the years.

Former Peterborough, Hull and Bradford striker and Final Score's EFL pundit Aaron McLean gave his five takeaways from what we learned across the Championship, League One and League Two.

Coventry City came out on top of a topsy-turvy eight-goal thriller against Midlands rivals Derby County at lunchtime.

The Sky Blues twice led but then went 3-2 behind before eventually running out 5-3 winners.

McLean: "It's a fantastic result for Frank Lampard. At one point it might have seemed like they threw it away when they allowed Derby back into it, but it was great character from Frank Lampard's side.

"I think it's definitely a statement. Since Frank's come through the door, he has restored belief in that club massively.

"The progression they have made under him is massive and they will be looking to kick on now this season."

There's not been much to cheer about in the Steel City so far this season.

Both Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday are pointless after their opening two Championship matches having changed their respective managers in the summer.

The Blades, who lost last season's Championship play-off final to Sunderland, went down 1-0 at Swansea City, while beleaguered Wednesday lost 3-0 at home to Stoke City.

McLean: "Really disappointing from Sheffield United, I think they're still suffering a hangover from last season.

"Obviously with the change of manager as well, Ruben Selles coming in, at the minute things don't seem to be gelling.

"Sheffield seems a tough place to be at the moment. When you look at Sheffield Wednesday, as well - the transfer embargo, the protests, and the results on the pitch, there's so many things going wrong.

"It's sad to see because it's such a big club, when they are winning games, Hillsborough is one of the best places in the country to play.

"The fans don't have their football club at the moment and until it is sold there are going to be more dark days like today."

Stevenage's 2-0 home victory against Northampton Town sent them to the summit of League One.

Their third league win out of three means Alex Revell's side are now the only team to have a 100% record in the third tier.

McLean: "Alex Revell has really got the boys playing. What he has done in a short space of time, along with his 10 new signings so far, he's made them believe in the project.

"Last season, they were probably a bit inconsistent and that's probably why they fell away but, if they continue to play in the way that they are playing, they will definitely be challenging for a play-off spot."

Ten-man Blackpool claimed a hard-fought 3-2 victory against Huddersfield Town at Bloomfield Road, with all of the goals coming in the first 31 minutes.

Forward Niall Ennis went from hero to zero as he received a straight red card in the first half after scoring a quick-fire double for the Tangerines but Steve Bruce's side held on to claim their first points of the season.

McLean: "Great result for Steve Bruce and Blackpool. They did a job today against one of the favourites for the title in Huddersfield.

"They've made a lot of big signings, Alfie May notably being the biggest - he guarantees Town goals, but Steve Bruce has done what he has done year in, year out.

"He brings together a group of players who are going to work hard. For them to win 3-2, after being down to 10 men, just shows the character that they've got within their dressing room."

MK Dons put in a five-star performance to thrash Cheltenham Town in League Two.

Paul Warne's side were widely tipped for promotion in the summer and, following an opening-day draw, have now registered back-to-back victories in the fourth tier as they climb into the early-stage promotion places.

McLean: "They've spent a lot of money, they've brought in a lot of experienced players, Nathanial Mendez-Laing and Callum Paterson - they have benefited from the woes of Sheffield Wednesday.

"They've come in and hit the ground running - Paterson, two goals and two assists so far to kick the season off.

"Now that they're on a roll, I think they are going to take some stopping."