Championship Round Up
Birmingham City 2-0 Barnsley
It was yet another win for Birmingham City as a result of veteran striker Kevin Phillips' goal scoring prowess. Phillips, who started up front for the first time as a Birmingham player, was on target after just 13 minutes as he nodded in a Stuart Parnaby cross from close range.
Gary O'Connor got the second in first half stoppage time after he got on the end of a Quincey Owusu-Abeyie cross.
Birmingham travel to the south coast to take on Southampton in the Carling Cup this evening whereas Barnsley have the night off having been knocked out of the competition.
Blackpool 1-3 Sheffield United
Preston's bitter rivals from the Fylde coast suffered a home defeat to Kevin Blackwell's Sheffield United, leaving the Seasiders without a point from their opening three matches. United took the lead after 21 minutes when Stephen Quinn threaded in from 12 yards.
Just shy of the hour mark the Blades were awarded a spot kick having seen Sean Barker tug Ugo Ehiogu's shirt. Gary Speed was the man given the responsibility to convert from 12 yards, his penalty proved unstoppable when it nestled in the top left hand corner of Paul Rachubka's goal.
Blackpool pulled a goal back through former Blades striker Steve Kabba who hit a stunning half volley from the edge of the area after 74 minutes before Greg Halford wrapped up the points just 4 minutes later.
Cardiff City 2-2 Norwich City
It was as odd as even at Ninian Park as Cardiff maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign with a draw against Norwich City. New boy Ross McCormack scored two for the Blue Birds as did Arturo Lupoli for the visitors.
Charlton Athletic 4-2 Reading
A goal from Matt Holland and a Andy Gray penalty on 26 minutes and 42 respectively gave Charlton a two goal lead, that was until Sonko pulled one back in first half injury time giving Steve Coppell's side a ray of hope heading into the break. Stephen Hunt scored a penalty of his own to level things up after 54 minutes with the comeback looking to be on for Reading. However, after 69 minutes, Luke Varney put Charlton back in front before Bouazza sealed the victory with 72 minutes played. A truly entertaining match and food for thought for those who have dismissed Charlton has promotion candidates.
Reading take on cash strapped Luton Town tonight at Madejski in the Carling Cup.
Coventry 0-3 Bristol City
Following on from last week's win over Barnsley, Chris Coleman will have been hoping that his Sky Blues side would be looking to build on that and see off Bristol City on Saturday. Sadly for all concerned with Coventry that was not to be the case.
After 17 minutes, former Sky Blues favourite Dele Adebola scored a controversial opener as he collided with Coventry 'keeper Kieran Westwood before putting the ball into an empty net. The alleged foul angered Chris Coleman as Westwood was left with concussed. That coupled with a penalty claim turned down seemed to tip Coleman over the edge, which saw him sent to the stands.
Watching on from the stands, Coleman witnessed Michael McIndoe net Bristol's second as he unleashed a sweet strike from the edge of the box to give them a two-goal cushion on 54 minutes, before Steve Brooker completed the scoring after 90 minutes with an emphatic close range effort.
Coventry face Premiership Newcastle United this evening in the Carling Cup whilst Bristol City travel to Crewe.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Burnley
It was goalless at Selhurst Park between the Eagles and the Clarets, who between them are yet to pick up their first win of the season. The game will only be remembered for seeing two Palace players sent off. The first was Jamie Scowcroft having being given a second yellow card following a challenge on former Preston skipper, Graham Alexander. Just five minutes later, Palace's second player was sent for an early shower following Shaun Derry's wild lunge on Wade Elliot. The irony of it is, is that Derry received a second yellow card for the challenge with his first being for dissent having argued with referee Mr Williamson for the dismissal of team mate Jamie Scowcroft.
Burnley welcome the visit of Oldham Athletic for tonight Carling Cup tie whereas it is Palace take on Leeds.
Derby County 0-1 Southampton
Paul Jewell and his Derby side suffered yet another league defeat, this time to Southampton who themselves have been tipped for a difficult season. The only goal of the game came from McGoldrick who headed in from close range.
Derby travel to Deepdale to take on the Lilywhites tonight, in the Carling Cup second round.
Ipswich 0-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Another disappointing result for Jim Magilton and his men as they suffered a home defeat to Wolves. Normally very strong and assured at home, Ipswich have now lost both home games in the league having already lost to North End on the opening day.
Wolves took the lead after 21 minutes when Sylvain Ebanks-Blake got on the end of a Matt Jarvis cross. Wolves killed off the Tractor Boys with just 12 minutes to go thanks to a Dave Edwards pouncing on a rebounded Matt Jarvis strike. Alex Bruce was dismissed for Town having had his challenge on David Jones deemed reckless enough to warrant a red card.
Ipswich take on Colchester United in the Carling Cup this evening with Wolves heading to Rotherham.
Nottingham Forest 3-2 Watford
Forest recorded their first win of the season after seeing off Aidy Boothroyd's Watford at the City Ground. Lee Martin put the home side ahead after just ten minutes played before Tommy Smith equalised for the visitors after 22 minutes. Robert Earnshaw put Forest back in front with his first goal for his new club following his move from rivals Derby County. Tommy Smith equalised again for Watford but it wasn't to be their day as just a few minutes later, Nathan Tyson netted the winner.
Forest welcome the visit of Sunderland on Wednesday night in the Carling Cup whilst Watford take on Darlington.
Plymouth Argyle 0-1 Swansea City
Jason Scotland, who was instrumental in Swansea's promotion campaign last year, opened his account for the season after 44 minutes, which proved to be enough to earn Swansea another win in the Championship.
Queens Park Rangers 2-0 Doncaster Rovers
QPR got their second win of the season having seen off newly promoted Doncaster Rovers on Saturday. The on-loan Real Madrid wonder kid, Daniel Parejo fizzed in a free kick, which was touched in by Dexter Blackstock to give QPR a 1-0 lead after just 5 minutes. After 28 minutes, the game was effectively over as Emmanuel Ledesma, the Argentinean teenager, chased down a loose ball to give QPR a 2-0 win.
QPR have a fixture with Carlisle tonight in the Carling Cup.
Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Preston North End
Alan Irvine and his Preston side will be pleased that they extended their unbeaten start to the new campaign despite coming from a goal down at Hillsborough. A mix up with goalkeeper Andrew Lonergan and the Preston back line resulted in a goal from Sean McAllister after twenty minutes played.
Preston hit back to earn a draw through Richard Chaplow after Chris Sedgwick met speculative long ball from Sean St Ledger, who then had the vision to thread the ball through to Chaplow who had the simple task of tapping in just three yards out.
Preston welcome the visit of Derby County this evening in the Carling Cup and will be hoping of a repeat of last season's cup tie with the Rams which resulted in a 4-1 win for the Lilywhites.