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Championship loan watch: Which Premier League youngsters impressed on opening weekend?

SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 04: Brendan Galloway of Sunderland takes on Johnny Russell of Derby County during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sunde
Image: Brendan Galloway made his debut for Sunderland

The opening weekend of the Sky Bet Championship season saw a host of youngsters catch the eye following summer loan moves from the Premier League.

We take a closer look at how five of them got on...

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Latest Championship odds

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Ola Aina - Hull (from Chelsea)

Youngsters going on loan to the Championship from Chelsea has become a regular theme in recent seasons, and Aina is one of several Blues in the second tier this season.

The 20-year-old had made just five first-team appearances before starting against Aston Villa and he slightly looked nervy in the early stages in front of the Sky Sports cameras on Saturday. However, he swiftly improved as Hull got a grip on the game in the second half and should prove a handy addition in their attempts to return straight back to the Premier League this season.

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Highlights of the Sky Bet Championship game between Aston Villa and Hull City.

Brendan Galloway - Sunderland (from Everton)

A loan move to West Brom in the Premier League last season didn't work out for Galloway at all as he managed just five appearances in all competitions, and the 21-year-old will be hoping for significantly more game time at Sunderland this season.

While not entirely responsible for Derby's opening goal at the Stadium of Light on Friday night, he should have done a lot better to stop Johnny Russell in the build-up to it and will have to learn to improve in those situations.

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Highlights from the Stadium of Light as Sunderland faced Derby in the Sky Bet Championship opener.

Harrison Reed - Norwich (from Southampton)

A midfielder previously tipped for big things at Southampton, Reed made the switch to Norwich in search of first-team football after failing to break into the first-team at St Mary's.

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Fulham's midfield were, unsurprisingly, a far more cohesive unit at Craven Cottage on Saturday and Reed and Co struggled at times to contain the likes of Tom Cairney and Oliver Norwood, but he should prove a key addition as the season rolls on and the Canaries get used to life under new boss Daniel Farke.

NORWICH, ENGLAND - JULY 29: Harrison Reed of Norwich in action during the pre-season friendly match between Norwich City and Brighton & Hove Albion at Carr
Image: Harrison Reed is on loan from Southampton at Norwich
WATCH Championship highlights
WATCH Championship highlights

See all the highlights from the opening weekend of Sky Bet Championship action right here

Josh Cullen - Bolton (from West Ham)

The West Ham youngster had an impressive season on loan at Bradford in Sky Bet League One last season and acquitted himself well to life in the second tier on Sunday - despite Bolton's 3-2 home defeat against Leeds.

Bolton were overrun at times, particularly in the first half where Leeds scored all three of their goals, but exerted himself very well in the second and could make a big impact at this level.

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Highlights of the Sky Bet Championship game between Bolton and Leeds.

Jamal Blackman - Sheffield United (from Chelsea)

Another Chelsea youngster in the Championship, Blackman spent last season on loan in League Two at Wycombe and was drafted in a couple of weeks ago to replace Sheffield United's injured first-choice goalkeeper Simon Moore.

The young goalkeeper made a terrific start to life, keeping a clean sheet as the League One champions got off to a winning start against Brentford, with a late stop against Neal Maupay a particular highlight to preserve their 1-0 advantage.

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Highlights of the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield United and Brentford.

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