Derby County 3-5 Coventry City

Both of these teams had a disappointing opening to the campaign, with Coventry involved in a goalless home draw to Hull and Derby losing 3-1 at Stoke; Stoke’s winning goals coming in the final minutes. An entertaining match saw the highest scoring game of the day, as the tide turned multiple times. Derby boss John Eustace will certainly be concerned that, once again, his team were unable to stop the goals pouring in, even though they managed to score three themselves. Eustace’s teams are known for solid defending, yet the first two games of the season have seen eight goals shipped. For Frank Lampard it will be a welcome first three points of the season, as the Sky Blues look to once again challenge for promotion.

The result sees Derby slip to 22nd, having tasted defeat in both of their opening games. Their eight goals shipped are the most in the division at this early stage. A draw and a win gives Coventry four points from their first two games, and puts them in 5th place

Portsmouth 1-2 Norwich City

Portsmouth secured an opening day win away to Oxford last week, whilst Norwich’s poor form from last season carried over to this, as they went down 2-1 at home to Millwall. This week both clubs’ fortunes were reversed, as Norwich walked away with three away points and Portsmouth lost their first home match of the season. 2-0 up from the first half, Norwich had to defend resolutely in the second forty-five. Portsmouth will rue a missed penalty from Colby Bishop with ten minutes to go, but will perhaps be heartened by yet another goal for new signing Adrian Segecic, following his debut goal last week. Ultimately it was only a consolation as Norwich clung on to get their first three points on the board, which will no doubt be very pleasing for new boss Liam Manning.

The result boosts the Canaries up to 11th in the division, whilst Portsmouth fall to 13th.

Wrexham 2-3 West Brom

Wrexham looked set for a dream start to life in the Championship last week, 1-0 up against Southampton with the game coming to a close. Two stoppage time goals, however, ruined their day. West Brom meanwhile narrowly beating Rovers - getting their season off to a winning start, if not a very exciting one. Whilst Wrexham suffered another defeat this time out, there wasn’t the same sense of heartbreak, as they were never in front and 3-1 down by the 81st minute. A 95th minute consolation from Sam Smith helped their goal difference, if nothing else. It makes it back-to-back defeats for the newly promoted Welsh side, and conversely back-to-back wins for the Baggies.

West Brom move up to 3rd, having won their first two matches of the season for the first time since the 2017/18 season. Meanwhile, Wrexham’s first campaign in the second-tier since the 1981/82 season begins with two defeats, but they will be heartened by the fact that they have been competitive in both matches. They sit 19th.

Blackburn Rovers 1-2 Birmingham City

Rovers headed into their first home match of the season against the backdrop of a dreary opening day away 1-0 defeat to West Brom, and without captain Lewis Travis, who looks certain to leave the club before the end of the transfer window. Difficult to say for sure though, as Travis as a topic was censored from media briefings before and after the match. Birmingham had looked set for a winning start in their return to the Championship at home to Ipswich, but a controversial late penalty meant that the points were shared. Big Club did not reach the same levels against Rovers, and indeed looked like they were going to leave with nothing, as a superb volley from Todd Cantwell from outside the box early in the second half had put Rovers 1-0 ahead. It was Rovers’ first shot on goal, having been the only team in the division not to have had a single shot in the first half of their match. A 90th minute converted penalty from Brum, however, set the tone for the inevitable 98th minute winner for the Blues. Sadly, this was exactly how Rovers’ fans should have expected a day celebrating our 150th anniversary to end under Venky’s.

Two defeats from two puts Rovers just outside the three relegation spots, in 21st. Birmingham move up to 6th – the same position they were in two years ago when their new owners decided to sack John Eustace, hire Wayne Rooney and initiate a downward spiral which culminated in League 1 football. They are unlikely to make that mistake again.

Bristol City 0-0 Charlton Athletic

Both of these teams had a fantastic first day of the season. Bristol City unexpectedly put Sheffield United to the sword, beating them 4-1 at Bramall Lane. Charlton, meanwhile, marked their return to the Championship after a few seasons away by deservedly beating Watford at home by a single goal. Whilst both teams will take a point from this one and move on, just three shots on target between both teams suggests an affair with little attacking quality. One imagines Charlton will be pleased, regardless, to have not conceded a goal in their first two matches.

Bristol City end the weekend in 4th, and Charlton are 10th.

Millwall 0-3 Middlesbrough

Another two teams that registered opening day wins – Millwall away to Norwich and Boro at home to Swansea. Millwall’s initial good mood will have evaporated somewhat, however, after this chastening 3-0 home defeat to Rob Edwards’ Middlesbrough side. After an even first half, an early second half goal from local boy Hayden Hackey – linked often with a move to Ipswich during the summer – was followed by late goals in the 87th and 97th minute to give Edwards’ side a deserved win at the Den. A frustrating result for Alex Neil, but Rob Edwards will be delighted that his Boro reign has begun with six points, four goals and none conceded.

The result leaves the Lions in 16th, and Boro move up to 2nd – alongside Charlton they are one of two teams yet to concede in the league.

Preston 2-1 Leicester City

Last season’s second half collapse will already be feeling like a distant memory for PNE, as they followed up an opening day away draw with QPR by upsetting newly relegated Leicester at Deepdale. I mentioned last week that it may be alarming for Leicester fans that their side seemed to struggle to get past crisis-hit Sheffield Wednesday, and those alarm bells will be ringing even louder after new boss Marti Cifuentes saw his side produce yet another questionable performance against opposition they should be taking the game to. The game was notable for a goal from teenager Jeremy Monga – his equaliser for Leicester in the 67th minute made him the youngest player to score in the Championship since it was rebranded in the 2004/05 season, at just 16 years and 37 days old. He had only just come onto the pitch, making an instant impact. Ultimately it wasn’t enough as Osmajic scored his second goal of the season for Preston in the 85th minute to ensure the home side walked off with all three points. 

Preston’s win moves them into 7th position, whilst Leicester slip to 12th – not a hugely encouraging start to the season for them.

Sheffield Wednesday 0-3 Stoke City

Sheffield Wednesday fans continue to protest against club owner Dejphon Chansiri, as their seemingly doomed season continues without much hope. They had put up a spirited performance against Leicester last week, but this week found themselves behind after just 59 seconds. Stoke had scored three in their opening day win against Derby, and did so again this time around. The restart saw Stoke once again score moments after kickoff, and a third goal capped a brace for Million Manhoef as his side ran out comfortable 3-0 winners. For what it’s worth, Wednesday players’ put up a good fight, and Barry Bannan nearly scored a spectacular overhead kick – denied only by the fingertips of Stoke keeper Victor Johansson. One imagines it won’t be a lack of effort that takes the Owls down – just a lack of quality due to the owner’s refusal or inability to fund the club. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

Defeat leaves Sheffield Wednesday in 23rd, whilst another solid win for Stoke puts them top of the table in the early going – they have scored the most in the division with six goals, and only conceded once.

Swansea City 1-0 Sheffield United

A narrow away defeat to Middlesbrough on the opening day was frustrating but not a total disaster for Swansea. A heavy home defeat to Bristol City, however, was a total disaster for Sheffield United and their latest boss Ruben Selles. The new manager is a total departure from Chris Wilder in all aspects, making the comparison of their contrasting styles inevitable. The inquisition will only intensify for Selles, as he watched his team once again go down to a defeat, with a goal from Brazilian winger Ronald enough to blunt the Blades. It was a fully deserved victory for a solid looking Swansea, and leaves Sheffield United with zero points, bottom of the table after their first two games. Last season’s 90 point haul must already seem a lifetime away. Selles will need to get a grip on the situation quickly, with his appointment already raising eyebrows considering his lack of any real success in management thus far.

Swansea move up to 15th in the table, whilst Sheffield United continue to prop up the division.

Watford 2-1 QPR

The Hornets won’t have been happy with their opening day 1-0 away defeat to Charlton, but bounced back this week by beating Julien Stephan’s QPR at Vicarage Road. Luca Kjerrumgaard, on loan from Serie A club Udinese, scored two goals in four minutes during the first half, and this proved to be enough to give Watford their first three points of the season. Julien Stephan must wait for his first win as QPR boss – and next week’s match against Coventry won’t be an easy one either.

Watford move up to 14th, QPR drop to 18th. 

Ipswich Town 1-1 Southampton

Ipswich were extremely fortunate to rescue a late point in last week’s Championship curtain-raiser against newly promoted Birmingham. Southampton meanwhile were also very fortunate to record a late victory with two stoppage time goals to overcome another newly promoted side in Wrexham. Both teams found improved performances this week, with Ipswich taking an early lead through a terrible defensive lapse from the Saints which saw George Hirst force an own goal from former Rovers’ loanee Taylor Harwood-Bellis. Southampton would equalise through 18 year old academy graduate Jay Robinson in the 29th minute, after which both teams tried to find a winner, but ultimately in vain. As the away side, one assumes Southampton will be the happier of the two teams with this result.

Two draws in a row for Ipswich on their return to the Championship leaves them in 17th place, whilst four points from their opening two games puts Southampton in 8th.

Hull City 3-2 Oxford United

Hull started the season with a very credible goalless away draw at Coventry, whilst Oxford suffered a narrow but disappointing opening day home defeat to Portsmouth – one of the clubs who they came up with the season before last. This match saw both teams go for it early on, with Joe Gelhardt opening the scoring after just two minutes, and by the time Oxford’s Cameron Brannagan volleyed a goal on 26 minutes it was already 2-2. Hull pushed for a winner, but it looked like they would have to settle for a draw until summer signing Oli McBurnie snatched a winning goal for the Tigers in the 93rd minute. It capped off a productive afternoon for McBurnie, with the 29 year old having assisted the other two Hull goals before scoring his first for the club.

Victory puts Hull in 9th, whilst a second defeat on the spin for Oxford leaves them in 20th position.