West Brom 1-1 Leicester City

West Brom and Leicester would each have been looking for a win this week, so a draw will be a slight disappointment for both clubs – although considering how the game unfolded, one imagines Leicester will be far more thankful for the point than West Brom. The Baggies had lost their last two games coming into this one, after a bright start to the season, whilst Leicester had drawn their last two matches and can now make that three in a row. Like most of the relegated clubs this season, Leicester are still having trouble adjusting to life in the second-tier – although so far they have fared better than Ipswich and Southampton.

It’s been fifteen years since WBA recorded a win over Leicester at the Hawthorns, and they started this game looking like they were intending to change that. With just ten minutes on the clock, a flicked pass from Norweigen forward Aune Heggebo set Aston Villa loanee Samuel Iling-Junior away. With pace and trickery, in his first appearance of the season for WBA, the former Juventus man put West Brom in front against the run of play. Summer signing Heggebo now has two assists to his name, having also scored last week. Both teams had chances to add to the scoreline, but it appeared the game would see no further goals. Then, in the 93rd minute, a deep cross from Leicester winger Abdul Fatawu was volleyed against Albion defender Nat Philips – an own goal denying the Baggies a win at the death.

West Brom sit in 8th position, and Leicester are 5th. Worth noting that, out of the top ten teams in the division, all but two drew their matches this week.

Coventry 3-0 Birmingham City

After some frustrating displays in front of goal recently, Coventry were back in the goals this week as they handily defeated a Birmingham City side who played over half the match with ten men. Whilst Coventry had been unbeaten thus far in the league, three draws on the spin had slowed their momentum slightly. Nonetheless, it had still been their best start to a league season in the top two divisions for 32 years. Birmingham had bounced back from two straight defeats with a win last week, but defeat in this match means they have now lost three of their last four games. In this game they failed to get a single shot on target.

A third goal of the season for Brandon Thomas-Asante put Coventry ahead after 16 minutes. A long throw from Milan van Ewujk was cleared, but Liam Kitching’s low drive forced a save from Brum keeper Ryan Allsop and the ball fell to Thomas-Asante to put in into the net. Birmingham’s task became far more difficult when Jack Robinson fouled the ever-menacing Hadji Wright and picked up a second booking, reducing the visitors to ten just before half-time. A few minutes after the break an overhit cross from Sky Blues’ Japanese right-midfielder Tatsuhiro Sakamoto was headed back across goal by Josh Eccles and bounced off the unfortunate Bright Osayi-Samuel. Allsop attempted in vain to claw the ball away from goal, but it had crossed the line, and an own goal was recorded to put Coventry two ahead. An injury to star striker Jay Stansfield added to a miserable day for Birmingham, before Victor Torp scored his fifth goal of the campaign in the 78th minute to finish the contest.

Coventry, now one of two sides in the division who remain unbeaten, jump to 2nd in the table. Birmingham drop to 11th.       

Swansea City 1-1 Millwall

Two teams with mixed form ultimately shared the spoils at the Swansea.com stadium. After a decent start, Swansea have now only picked up two points from the last nine available and are slowly settling into a familiar lower-mid-table position in the league. Millwall have five points from the last nine, putting them just a point outside the playoffs. The result did mean that Swansea maintain their unbeaten home record, and Millwall also keep their unbeaten away record.

I feel like in almost every roundup I mention Swansea’s Ronald and Vipotnik, and they were yet again the catalyst for Swansea’s 12th minute opener. Ronald crossed, Vipotnik smartly backheeled the ball into the net, and it’s now six goals in seven games for the Slovenian striker. It was actually Ronald’s first direct assist of the season, although he’s been regularly involved in Swansea’s best attacking play since the season started. Swansea had chances to go further ahead, and were punished for their profligacy in front of goal when Millwall equalised just before half-time. A deep free-kick to the back post saw Jake Cooper head the ball across goal, and Josh Coburn was there to head into the net for the 22-year-old forward’s first goal of the season. The second half was a scrappier affair, and the game ended in a draw which most would consider fair. 

Swansea are 13th and Millwall just above them in 10th position.

Wrexham 1-1 Derby County

Phil Parkinson had seen his team pick up their second win of the season last week, but they were forced to share the points this week with struggling Derby County. A return of 7 points from 12 still isn’t too bad for Wrexham, though, all things considered. Derby have only won once so far in what has been a disappointing start to the season for them, but they’ll likely be grateful for this point on the road as it lifted them out of the relegation places. Still plenty to work on for John Eustace, however.

After a goalless and somewhat dull first half, Wrexham’s Lewis O’Brien headed in his third goal of the season in the 59th minute from an Issa Kabore cross – the right-back’s third assist in just two games. The visitors had responded within just thirteen minutes, however. Ben Brereton transformed into Ben Brereton Diaz, knocking the ball past Lewis Brunt before curling a fantastic shot into the top corner to score his first goal for the Rams on loan from Southampton.

Wrexham sit in 15th, whilst Derby clamber out of the relegation spots into 21st place.

Charlton Athletic 3-0 Blackburn Rovers

Having gone on a run of four games without a win after collecting three points in their first game of the season, Charlton made it two wins out of two by beating a lacklustre Rovers at The Valley. Rovers had seen what appeared to be a potential, credible win against Ipswich go up in smoke last week after torrential rain forced an abandonment late in the game at Ewood Park. The club’s hierarchy then got into a bizarre public spat with the local paper, and a rubbish week culminated with this dismal performance.

A Macaulay Gillesphey header in the 31st minute, the centre-back’s first goal of the season, meant that the Addicks went into the break a goal up. The fight that Rovers had shown last week was nowhere to be found, and continued to elude them after the break. Second best all afternoon, Rovers went further behind as Sonny Carey’s 25-yard drive in the 78th minute put Charlton two ahead. James Bree capped off a turgid display from Rovers, adding a third in the 94th minute. It had been the Bree’s free kick that had allowed Gillesphey to head in the first-half opener, making it a solid afternoon’s work for the Charlton right-back.

Charlton surge to 7th position. Rovers sink to 20th, just above Derby on goal difference and just one point from the relegation zone.

Ipswich Town 2-1 Portsmouth

No doubt buoyed by their lucky escape last week, Ipswich made the most of their good fortune by beating Portsmouth this week at Portman Road. With last week’s score expunged from the record books, it now means they’ve won two in a row. Portsmouth lost to the division’s crisis club, Sheffield Wednesday, last week, and now find themselves having lost two in a row. Pompey have only gained one point from the last nine available.

The tone for the afternoon was set early, with Jaden Philogene cutting inside and firing the ball into the net for his fourth goal of the campaign. Having been impressive in the last three games (inclusive of the abandoned Rovers match) he appears to be starting to justify his hefty price tag. Former Rovers loanee George Hirst would link up with Leif Davies in the 41st minute to extend Ipswich’s advantage just before the break. A late 92nd minute consolation from experienced Pompey midfielder Marlon Pack served only to slightly help his team’s goal difference.

Ipswich move up to 12th position, whilst Portsmouth fall to 17th.

Oxford United 0-1 Sheffield United

Having picked up some decent results lately, including their first win of the season last week, Gary Rowett will be disappointed that his side were beaten by bottom club Sheffield United this week. Chris Wilder is back in charge for the Blades, and whilst one may think this result is a sign of a revival, in truth they didn’t look especially great here. Nonetheless, a win is a win, particularly away from home. It ends their horrendous six-game losing streak and gives them their first three points of the season. They were also the only away team to pick up a win this week.

Oxford had the better of the first half, but it was Sheffield United who had the best opportunity in the 41st minute as a perfect pass from Gustavo Harmer set up Tyrese Campbell inside the penalty area – he blasted wide, however, showcasing why the Blades had only managed one league goal so far. Campbell would miss another chance in the 57th minute, before United finally got the breakthrough as attacking midfielder Callum O’Hare fired in low from close range. Oxford nearly drew level late on, hitting the post in the 89th minute, but Sheffield United ultimately held on to finally put some points on the board.

Defeat drops Oxford back into the relegation zone in 22nd place. Sheffield United remain bottom, three points behind Derby and Rovers in 21st and 20th respectively.

Preston 0-0 Bristol City

Preston and Bristol City have both only lost once this season, and neither walked away with zero points at the end of this match either, continuing what has been a solid start to the season for both clubs. The Robins will be a little disappointed at failing to hit the net in this one, though, as they are currently the second top-scorers in the division. Preston have only scored seven goals thus far, but have conceded only five goals – two less than their opponents.

Anis Mehmeti looked a constant threat for Bristol City, but was unable to add to the four goals he has scored thus far in the league. Daniel Iversen produced a fine save in the 88th minute from Mehmeti to keep the scores level. Bristol City were the better team by far, but found themselves unable to break down a resolute Preston defence.

Preston remain in the playoff places in 6th position, whilst Bristol City drop one place and currently sit in 4th.

Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 QPR

A first win of the season for Sheffield Wednesday last week was followed up by a hard-fought draw against a QPR side who had been in fantastic form as of late. Three wins on the spin had seen the Hoops fly up the table, but this result brings a halt to that run of form. Regardless, Rangers must be pleased with ten points from twelve, considering only a month ago they were being destroyed 7-1 by Coventry.

The Owls were looking to build on their 2-0 victory against Portsmouth last week, and they went ahead in the 30th minute. Experienced captain Barry Bannan has been a light in an otherwise dark time for Wednesday, and it was his free-kick which was turned in by Domicic Iorfa – the first goal scored at Hillsborough this season. There may have been some harsh words at half time for QPR’s players, as they noticeably stepped up their game in the second half. Just three minutes after the restart Wednesday forward Bailey Cadamarteri handballed inside his own area, and the resulting spot-kick was duly converted by QPR’s Danish midfielder Nicolas Madsen for his first goal of the season. Both teams had chances to win the game in the second half, but as it was with eight of the twelve Championship fixtures this week, the game ended in a draw. 

Sheffield Wednesday remain in 23rd, whilst QPR are 9th.

Southampton 1-1 Middlesbrough

One imagines there is some early season pressure on Will Still, with his Southampton side not having won a game since the opening day of the season. They have now picked up just four points from the last eighteen available – a poor return for a club that are expected to be challenging for promotion. Boro, on the other hand, have started the season incredibly well and are one of two teams without a loss to their name, having won five of their first seven games.

Will Still made six changes to his starting line up from last week, and after a goalless first half it was captain Adam Armstrong who broke the deadlock in the 61st minute with his second goal of the season. The former Rovers’ striker turned in a cross from Tom Fellows, giving the Saints some hope that they may have been on track to record their second win of the season. Boro manager Rob Edwards responded with five changes, and it was Kaly Sene who played the role of super sub once again to bring Boro level, netting his second of the campaign after scoring as a substitute last week as well. It was Boro’s only shot on target throughout the game, but Southampton themselves only managed two on target.

The draw leaves Southampton slumming it in 19th, two points from the relegation zone, whilst Boro remain top of the division and unbeaten.

Stoke City 1-1 Norwich City

Stoke’s excellent start to the season has stuttered a little as of late, having won just one of their last four matches. Mark Robins will have been disappointed that his side couldn’t get three points from this one, although Norwich have actually been quite good on the road, yet to lose away from home. It’s their results at Carrow Road which have caused them problems thus far.

Despite having the better of the opening exchanges, Stoke fell behind when Canaries’ full-back Jack Stacey crossed for Jovon Makama to score his second goal in as many games. Unfortunate to go in a goal down at half time, Stoke soon rectified the situation three minutes after half-time. A shot from Million Manhoef was saved, but former Rovers loanee Sorba Thomas was there to pounce on the rebound and restore parity. Stoke fought hard to get the winner, but were nearly on the end of a late sucker punch when Norwich’s prolific American striker Josh Sargent found himself clean through. Victor Johansson was equal to the striker’s effort, however, and despite a late opportunity for Stoke substitute Lamine Cisse, the game ended with the points shared.

Stoke fall to 3rd in the table after their first draw of the campaign, and Norwich sit in 14th position.

Watford 2-1 Hull City

Having not won in their last four matches, and having lost their last two games, victory at Vicarage Road was welcome respite for Hornets’ manager Paolo Pezzolano. Hull would have been looking to follow up an impressive 3-1 home victory last week against Southampton with another good result here, but ended up falling short.

Things weren’t looking good for Watford, again, after a first half time which saw them go in a goal down, booed off the pitch by their supporters. Watford had dominated possession, but a combination move from Hull’s Cody Drameh and Oli McBurnie saw the latter score his fourth goal of the season in the 25th minute. A free transfer signing at the beginning of August, McBurnie has managed four goals and four assists in his first seven games for the Tigers. Watford managed to get a grip of the game in the second half, and equalised on the hour as captain Imran Louza scored his first goal of the season to even things up. Louza turned provider eighteen minutes later, with his corner headed in by 20-year-old Portuguese forward Vivaldo Semendo – opening his account for the club in his fourth appearance. Hull’s Matty Pollock came closest to bringing the scores level again when he headed against the bar in injury time, but the Hornets held on to record a much-needed win.

A first win in five pushes Watford up to 16th, whilst a third defeat in five leaves Hull in 18th.

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