Championship update: Middlesbrough unbeaten, Sheffield United sack manager

The latest set of Championship fixtures have passed with several big talking points, including the first managerial departure of the season.

Sheffield United have parted company with Ruben Selles after five consecutive league defeats to start the campaign, with Chris Wilder rumoured to return once again.

Elsewhere, Southampton and Portsmouth played out a goalless draw in the south coast derby, while Middlesbrough continued their unbeaten run away at Preston.

Selles sacked by United

Sheffield United decided to part ways with Ruben Selles following a sixth straight loss in all competitions after the Blades were thrashed 5-0 by Ipswich.

United have scored just one league goal all season and sit rooted to the bottom of the table as the only club without a point - prompting the sacking of Selles.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, former manager Chris Wilder is being widely rumoured to return to the club just three months after being dismissed following their play-off final defeat to Sunderland.

Wilder coached the team to 90 points last term, and the decision to fire him seemed harsh from an outside perspective - and even more ridiculous now that he could return so soon.

The entire situation is turning a bit farcical, and the Blades need a serious turnaround in the coming weeks to avoid a complete disaster of a season.

In the match itself, United were undone by a superb hat-trick from Jaden Philogene on top of goals for Jack Clarke and George Hirst.

The most worrying aspect of the defeat is just how poor some of the Blades' players looked on a night that doesn't bode well for the future, regardless of who the next manager might be.

Goalless in the south coast derby

Southampton hosted Portsmouth in the south coast derby on Sunday, with the two clubs playing out a goalless draw at St Mary's Stadium.

While the scoreline didn't live up to the magnitude of the match, the occasion itself was a sight to behold, with Pompey fans ushered in via coaches from Fratton Park and the Saints putting on a superb display before kick-off.

The visitors perhaps had the best chance of the game, with Andre Dozzell rattling the crossbar inside 10 minutes. Aside from that, the football perhaps didn't quite match the occasion.

It should be said, though, that there was definitely a beauty to Portsmouth's defence keeping Southampton's attack at bay.

Tom Fellows, Finn Azaz, Cameron Archer, Ross Stewart, Adam Armstrong and Leo Scienza all featured at some point for the Saints -  an attacking group that reportedly cost north of £50 million, but failed to break down an opposition defence assembled for less than £1 million.

Not the most glamorous highlight to take away from an admittedly disappointing match, but it certainly shows that clubs across the division can still compete with the Championship's big spenders.

Boro battle to stay unbeaten

Middlesbrough twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Preston and maintain their unbeaten start to the season, holding onto top spot in the process. Goals from summer arrivals Matt Targett and Sontje Hansen bailed out Rob Edwards' side, who had first been pegged back by Lewis Dobbin and then Jordan Storey.

The Teesiders have impressed at the start of the campaign and look to have a squad full of exciting talent - notably Manchester City loanee Sverre Nypan. The Norwegian helped change the game when he was subbed onto the pitch, and his silky footwork helped create Boro's first equaliser.

However, something else that arose from his introduction was the fan's reaction to Morgan Whittaker, who was taken off in place of Nypan. Whittaker was jeered off the pitch by his own fans, and manager Edwards was keen to squash that sort of reaction.

"I don't want to see that response when I'm making a substitution," he said. "We're a family, and if we're going to achieve something, we've got to be together.

"Morgan, from day one, has been brilliant. He loves playing for this football club and he's giving everything at the moment. We've got to protect him and we've got to love him. "We protect our own, we look after our own."

That sort of public support is refreshing to see in the current football landscape, and something Boro fans will gladly get behind as their strong form continues.

Dobbin strikes for Preston

We touched on Preston's match with Middlesbrough already, but another moment of quality at Deepdale came from Aston Villa loanee Dobbin. The youngster scored a superb solo effort after picking the ball up in the final third, driving forward with some nice skill and firing into the top corner. Dobbin opened his Preston account in style and won our Goal of the Week.

Philogene a perfect 10

Ipswich winger Philogene became the first Championship player to register a perfect 10 out of 10 Flashscore rating this season. The 23-year-old bagged a hat-trick in the Tractor Boys' 5-0 win over Sheffield United, including a superb solo effort that, in truth, could have also won goal of the week - but we'll share out the accolades as best we can.

Click here to read this article about the Championship in Flashscore!