Robbie Savage's first match in charge of an English Football League club ended in triumph as Peterborough United defeated Leicester City 3-1 at the King Power Stadium, adding further pressure on Foxes boss Russell Martin.
The result marked an ideal start for Savage, who returns to a club he is closely associated with from his playing days. Former striker turned pundit Sam Parkin praised the manner of the victory, noting that Savage's attacking, front-footed approach appeared to catch out a Leicester side known for taking risks in possession.
"I thought this could be a good game for him against a Leicester City team that have a unique style of play but take risks with the ball, so in terms of a game plan, it's probably worked perfectly the way he wants his team to play," Parkin said.
Parkin pointed out that Savage inherits a squad containing prolific forward Harry Leonard and believes Peterborough possess better quality than their current league position suggests, calling the job "a great opportunity" despite the scrutiny that will inevitably follow given Savage's profile. He added that the club's attacking traditions over the past decade align well with the brand of football Savage wants to implement.
Elsewhere in the Championship, Middlesbrough moved into the division's top two with a narrow victory over Wolves in what was billed as their 150th fixture under the current ownership timeline. The win came in a week when Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert learned the sanctions imposed on him following the Spygate controversy, offering Boro a timely moment to continue moving past the disappointments of last season.
Parkin drew comparisons between Middlesbrough's trajectory and Coventry City's promotion run last term, highlighting similar managerial timelines. He identified the signing of Will Lankshear, who has netted eight goals since arriving from Tottenham in the summer, as the missing piece that could propel Boro toward promotion after they struggled to convert chances last season despite dominant performances. Parkin also highlighted manager Kim Hellberg fielding his strongest defensive unit, resulting in a clean sheet against a strong Wolves side, which he described as a significant turning point given the team's recent defensive issues.
Birmingham City continued their strong form with a 1-0 derby win at West Bromwich Albion, their third away victory of the campaign, lifting them into the newly expanded play-off places in seventh. Parkin noted a tactical shift under manager Chris Davies, who has moved away from the possession-based style that earned promotion from League One toward a more direct approach bolstered by set-piece threat. He suggested the adjustment has arrived at a crucial moment for Davies, who faced mounting pressure given the club's ambitions, though Birmingham still need to find wins at St Andrew's after four draws there this season.
At the other end of the table, Preston North End's reunion with club legend Graham Alexander got off to a difficult start as Millwall's victory left them bottom of the Championship. Parkin cautioned that immediate improvement may not materialize, citing Alexander's strengths in defensive organization rather than attacking fluidity, and questioned whether the current squad has the firepower to match that structure. He suggested survival should be considered a success this season for Preston.
In League Two, Salford City moved top of the table following a 2-0 win at Cheltenham Town, their sixth victory in seven matches under new boss Peter Cklamovski, who previously managed Malaysia's national team. Parkin acknowledged Salford's strengthened squad, including forwards Macaulay Langstaff and Luke Molyneux, but urged caution given competition from unbeaten Barnet, high-scoring Crewe, and promotion hopefuls York and Bristol Rovers.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.