The Major Talking Points of Tuesday's EFL Championship Action

From Headbutts to Middle Fingers, Tuesday's Championship Action Had it All

Tuesday night's EFL action has been and gone and - suffice to say - it was an eventful night. While one striker now leads the EFL Championship scoring charts, another turned his attention away from the goals with a good old-fashioned headbutt. With so much to cover, let's discuss what went on in the second tier yesterday evening.

Swans Slovenian Star Striker

Swansea secured a home victory against a struggling Blackburn side as they continue to improve under Vitor Matos. Striker Zan Vipotnik scored a brace to lead his side to victory, making him the top scorer in the division with 13 goals for the campaign. The Slovenian has already doubled his goal tally from his debut campaign with the Welsh side, having managed just seven goals in 42 Championship appearances last season. What makes these numbers even more impressive is that none of his goals have come from the penalty spot, so stat-padding accusations can be swiftly forgotten.

Zan Vipotnik perfectly defines the word CLINICAL. No heat on AA - brilliant player.

But an XG of 4.92 with 13 goals (13/20 SOT = goals) is crazy compared to AA’s return, who’s one place below him in the golden boot race.

We need to start creating more for him #swans. pic.twitter.com/jW55obd9sX

— Trystan (@trystanbending) January 20, 2026

The forward has come on leaps and bounds since his struggles in the division last season, and it is hardly a surprise as he possesses the attributes of a proper Championship striker: tall , strong, and a genuine fox in the box. He has single-handedly transformed his side's woeful start to the season, steering them clear of any relegation worries and instead giving Swansea an outside chance for the playoffs.

Let's be honest - it is quite refreshing from an outside view to see someone else challenging Southampton striker Adam Armstrong for the golden boot. Instead, we are seeing a flurry of European strikers coming to the Championship and thriving. Despite his struggles this season, Millwall striker and Serbian international Mihailo Ivanovic scored 12 goals in his debut campaign. Preston striker Milutin Osmajic scored nine Championship goals last season; however, he has established a reputation for other reasons in this campaign...

A Familiar Tale

The Montenegro international has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons this season, and last night's antics are not going to help clear his name. Preston suffered consecutive home defeats after being battered by an impressive Hull City side. As the game soured, Osmajic was involved in an altercation with John Lundstram and headbutted the Hull midfielder in front of the referee. The forward was shown a straight red card in stoppage time, meaning he will miss the next three matches (at least), including key away matches at playoff rivals Middlesbrough and Ipswich.

Preston’s Milutin Osmajic

8 match ban v Blackburn for biting Owen Beck

9 match ban this season for racially abusing Hannibal Mejbri

Now he’s just headbutted John Lundstram

Liability pic.twitter.com/o5MP5hjtTP

— Footy Central (@FootyCentralX) January 20, 2026

Osmajic had already served a nine-match ban for being found guilty of racial abuse towards Hannibal Mejbri , and Preston fans are now calling for the striker to leave the club. If that wasn't enough, he had previously served an eight-match ban for biting Blackburn midfielder Owen Beck in the Lancashire Derby. Talk about making a name for yourself. It is not the first time that we have come across a character like this: Pepe, Luis Suarez, and Eric Cantona, just to name a few. The difference here is that they were all established world-class players, something that Osmajic does not have to his name.

Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom seems sick of his striker's actions, and it would be no surprise to see Osmajic excluded from the Preston side for longer than his ban subjects him to. It's hard to believe that Preston were once after £20m for his services...

At Long, Long Last

On the topic of strikers, it is only right that we mention Kyogo Furuhashi finally getting off the mark in the Championship for Birmingham. The 31-year-old scored in his side's victory over Sheffield Wednesday, having gone 24 Championship matches without a goal. Let's be honest, it is more of a charity goal considering the situation that Wednesday is in right now.

@Kyogo_Furuhashi from the tightest of angles! 😮‍💨 @BCFC #EFL | #SkyBetChampionship pic.twitter.com/B76itC7hF6

— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) January 20, 2026

Does this justify the price tag? Absolutely not. Birmingham reportedly paid around £10 million for the former Celtic striker, yet some of his misses this season have been simply unforgivable. A forward who once scored freely in the Scottish Premiership and was even linked with a move to Manchester City, Kyogo's time at Birmingham City has so far been a major disappointment. Furuhashi has squandered a remarkable 12 big chances this season, posting a conversion rate of just over three percent. While it remains to be seen whether this goal, and his first for the club in any capacity against Cambridge in the FA Cup, can spark a turnaround for the Japanese international, his performances so far have done little to convince.

Romain Pains Former Club

As much as it pains me to write this, I can't say that I didn't see it coming. Romain Esse got off the mark for Coventry City as they defeated Millwall and strengthened their hold at the top of the Championship table. Esse opened the scoring after firing past Max Crocombe at the back post, subject to the work of goal line technology. His next move? Celebrate in front of the traveling Millwall fans. The 20-year-old was subjected to plenty of abuse during Crystal Palace's EFL Cup victory over Millwall, and it was clear he hadn't forgotten it.

Romain Esse against Millwall #pusb #cpfc pic.twitter.com/mrRPeH259b

— Championship Terrace Talk (@ChampionshpTalk) January 20, 2026

Having grown up in SE16, Esse was once a fan favorite at the club before sealing a Premier League move to their South London rivals last season. He attempted to acknowledge the situation by applauding the away end at full time, but the gesture was met with further hostility from the Millwall supporters. Whether you view his response as giving it back to the fans or simply showing respect after the final whistle, one thing is certain: Esse won't be receiving a warm welcome from the Millwall faithful anytime soon.

McClean Waves Goodbye, Or Does He?

It wouldn't be a discussion of the major talking points without mentioning James McClean. The 36-year-old said his goodbyes to the Wrexham fans after confirming a deal with his former side Derry City, but that wasn't all. The Irishman extended his heartfelt farewells with a gesture to the traveling Leicester supporters, that being two middle fingers and a grin.

James McClean isn't leaving quietly but would you honestly expect anything else? pic.twitter.com/jO9zHI2Nyj

— Liam Randall (@LiamJRandall) January 20, 2026

McClean took to Instagram to thank all the away supporters for the stick he had received during his playing career in England, including spells at both Sunderland and West Brom in the Premier League. The midfielder spent two seasons at Wrexham, to which he described as ‘some of the most enjoyable moments’ of his playing career. Rest assured that he will still be creating noise over in Ireland as his nation hope to secure a World Cup spot in their upcoming qualifier against Czech Republic. That said, the EFL has lost one of a kind - flipping off the fans was simply the icing on the cake.