Image source, Rex Features

Defeat by Barnsley left Simon Grayson's Preston in 23rd place, with only three points from their first six league games this season.

Preston manager Simon Grayson:

"We've not deserved to lose that game, but that's football. It can be cruel at times.

"We just have to keep believing in what we are doing and eventually the breaks will come for us. 

"If anyone has come to every game this season they will realise that we've been in every game.

"That's not a team struggling for confidence. We are nearly there, I've got faith in the team."

Derby go very close! A thunderous drive from the edge of the box by Craig Bryson sees Matz Sels beat the ball away.

A stinger, I think they call it. Ikechi Anya hangs a cross onto the crossbar shortly after but it's safe.

Definitely the hosts' best chance. Newcastle still look unruffled though for the most part.

Image source, Rex Features

Barnsley, promoted from League One last season, moved up to second in the Championship with a 2-1 victory at Preston North End.

Barnsley head coach Paul Heckingbottom:

"You look at our bench now and realise that we have the options to bring on and turn a game. 

"Likewise if we are in front we can take the game away from the opposition like we did last time against Rotherham.

"We know we weren't at our best on the ball, but we really put our bodies on the line. 

"The players are crossing the white line and getting the wins."

Little threat to the Newcastle goal in the end.

Nick Blackman plays a game of musical chairs on the Derby bench... One minute he's up, next he's sat down again.

He's coming on now though, replacing James Wilson.

Image source, Rex Features

Great destructive work by Jack Colback to break down a Derby attack is then spoilt as Newcastle try to play out of their own end and concede a free-kick.

They've now conceded a corner too...

Still Nigel Pearson stands on the edge of his technical area, looking fairly non-plussed by the offering so far.

His Derby side wasted a free-kick a moment ago that saw Yoan Gouffan booked.

When will he be tempted into tinkering? We're over the hour mark.

Image source, Rex Features

Mo Diame shows both ends of the spectrum there with his abilities.

First he has power and strength to brush away the Derby midfield...

... And then he chips the ball wide, scuffing out for a goal-kick to frustrate.

A really good run though.

Newcastle did a good job at keeping Derby at arm's length in the first half but the hosts have been a bit more dynamic in the first 10 minutes of the second period.

Derby's subs warming up, some decent game-changers there in Tom Ince and Darren Bent. The same applies to Newcastle, though, and they hold the cards at the moment.

James Wilson picks up on a Newcastle error and drives Derby forward, Ikechi Anya's cross is cleared but Marcus Olsson heads one back into the mix and it bounces wide.

Some encouragement for Derby, Newcastle can't afford to switch off yet.

Image source, Rex Features

Clayton Donaldson missed a first-half penalty for Birmingham, but scored his second spot-kick to earn the Blues a 1-0 win at Fulham.

Birmingham head coach Gary Rowett:

"I told Mags [Jacques Maghoma] to take the penalty - Mags was meant to take the second pen. 

"But fair play to Clayton, he showed a lot of bottle to take it. 

"Mags told him he wasn't taking it and they sorted it out between themselves. 

"I was nervous and didn't want him to take it but he showed character."

Jonjo Shelvey strolls up and sends one sailing over the bar. Harmless for Derby.

Image source, Rex Features

Cyrus Christie sends Dwight Gayle sprawling and Newcastle have a free-kick about 20 yards out.

Chance here...

First chance of the second half goes to Derby.

Marcus Olsson on the left side of the box tries to curl on to the back post but it bounces agonisingly wide.

More like it from the Rams. Newcastle rally though and continue to push the ball around confidently.

Ready to go then for the second half.

Newcastle United to get us under way. One-goal lead, 45 minutes to play.

Here we go.

Image source, BBC Sport

Been shopping all day? Stuck at a wedding? Playing football yourself?

Fear not, because if you've missed any of this afternoon's EFL action you can catch right up speedily enough by using the BBC Sport website and app.

For starters, you can click here to whizz through extended match reports of all nine of our 15:00 BST Championship matches.

Image source, Rex Features

Will Grigg gave Wigan an early lead at Sheffield Wednesday, but the Owls hit back to win 2-1 at Hillsborough.

Wigan manager Gary Caldwell:

"Sometimes you have to hold your hands up and say the better team won.

"We defended for a lot of time and if you do that against good players you are going to get picked off.

"We have lost games by the odd goal and I believe a win is around the corner."

As we pause for breath in the East Midlands, a final call for any more contenders for our first EFL managerial casualty of the season. Remember, by this time last season there'd already been two!

Could there even be one this evening? Let us know via #bbcefl on Twitter.

Mo Diame gets a giraffe-esque long neck to the ball into the box and head away, the cue for Darren Bond to blow his whistle for half-time.

Newcastle United kept Derby County at arms length, nicked a super volleyed goal from a corner with their first real crack on goal.

Defensively they've not had too much to worry about either, though Derby's threat on the break was glimpsed late on with Matej Vydra.

Still much to play for.

Image source, Rex Features

One added minute here.

Newcastle have a shot blocked at one end but Derby break quickly and Craig Bryson wins a corner.

Danger at the end of the half...

Hard to say what 25,000-odd Derby fans are thinking but they don't seem to be reacting too harshly or savagely to manager Nigel Pearson at this stage.

Can't say they're making too much noise either though, the sting seems to have been taken out at the moment and their attack is currently mirroring that...

Matej Vydra's toddler-dive in the box is a bit laughable, as Chancel Mbemba tumbles over him. Nothing doing again.