Swansea set the Championship pace as Burnley finally win and Southampton close Eckert saga

Sky Sports columnist Andy Hinchcliffe reviews three defining Championship storylines, in a column published on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.

Swansea’s collective strength puts them on top

Swansea City have emerged as deserved Championship leaders, according to Hinchcliffe, with a more balanced side no longer dependent on one prolific scorer. Zan Vipotnik carried much of the attacking burden last season, but Swansea have shown they can threaten from several positions even when he is less involved.

Hinchcliffe points to a strong defence, a reliable goalkeeper and a team that can dominate possession and control matches. Adam Idah is among the main attacking threats, while the system creates opportunities for several players to contribute. That depth, he argues, makes Swansea harder to predict and less vulnerable if one forward is injured or out of form.

Manager Vitor Matos has also won the players’ commitment. Defender Ben Cabango said the squad would “run through brick walls for the gaffer,” a reflection of the energy and urgency that have become part of Swansea’s identity. Their upcoming tests against Millwall and West Ham will offer a measure of whether they can sustain their position.

Burnley’s first win offers a platform

Burnley’s comfortable victory at Watford finally delivered their first win of the campaign. Hinchcliffe said their performances had not looked like those of a bottom-three side, but expectations at the club meant that mid-table-level displays were not enough.

The transition after relegation and a change in the dugout took time, Hinchcliffe noted. Against Watford, Burnley controlled the contest and created substantially more expected-goal threat than their opponents. He believes the quality in the squad should translate into a run of Championship wins if the team can build on that result, with a midweek fixture and a meeting with Wolves to follow.

Southampton’s derby win turns attention back to football

Southampton’s victory over Portsmouth helped bring an end to the prolonged focus on Tonda Eckert’s disciplinary case. Hinchcliffe said the punishment had already been severe and described the decision as drawing a line under the matter. The Saints’ performance then shifted the discussion back to Eckert’s coaching and the quality of the team’s play.

Portsmouth, meanwhile, were left to reflect on a costly defensive error and a blunt attacking display. Despite having an extra player after Southampton’s red card and introducing attacking options, they failed to register a shot on target, Hinchcliffe said. He judged the goal they conceded to be avoidable, leaving the defeat especially frustrating in a derby.

The midweek Championship schedule includes Burnley against Charlton, Millwall against Swansea and Norwich against Southampton, among other fixtures.