Championship Review – Matchday Three

Title favourites Leeds United reclaimed top spot in the Championship after securing a 2-0 victory at Wigan Athletic on Saturday afternoon.

Marcelo Beilsa’s side, who’s task was made somewhat easier after league debutant Joe Williams was dismissed for two bookable offences, are ahead of four teams on goal difference thanks to Patrick Bamford’s brace was enough to see them clinch the points.

A penalty from Lyle Taylor a minute from time saw Charlton Athletic rescue a point at Barnsley, and in doing so extend their unbeaten start to life back in the second tier while two goals from Grady Diangana saw West Bromwich Albion come from behind to beat Luton Town.

Impressive

Steve Cooper impressive start at Swansea City continued with the South Wales side edging out Preston North End in a five goal thriller, while Millwall upset the odds by beating Sheffield Wednesday – Matt Smith with the only goal of the game.

Friday night’s encounter at the John Smith’s Stadium was won by Fulham – Aleksandar Mitrovic and Ivan Cavaleiro netting either side of Karlan Ahearne-Grant’s reply for Huddersfield Town, who are now searching for a new manager.

Jan Siewert was dismissed after securing just one victory in seven months, and with the Terriers second from bottom ahead of Wednesday evening’s trip to Cardiff City.

The Bluebirds will themselves be desperate for a win midweek after they were thumped 3-0 at Reading, while Birmingham City were also on the receiving end of the aforementioned scoreline – Nottingham Forest the beneficiaries.

Desperate

The victory was new manager Sabri Lamouchi’s first in the league, and was enough to see them move into the top half, and ignite the hopes of the Forest faithful who are desperate to see their side succeed.

The two-time European Champions can be backed at a price of 11/2 to secure promotion by any means, twenty-two seasons after they last won this division.

Derby County are one point and one place above their fierce East Midlands rivals after a Martin Waghorn spot-kick saw them salvage a point at Stoke City, who are rooted to the bottom of the division despite getting off the mark.

Bristol City eased past Queens Park Rangers and are in eleventh place, sandwiched in between Hull City and Brentford who played out a 1-1 draw at Griffin Park.

Finally, Blackburn Rovers picked up their first points of the season after they beat Middlesbrough by a goal to nil – Danny Graham the hero with the winner coming from the spot on twenty-five minutes.

Midweek

There isn’t long to wait until matchday four, with five fixtures taking place on Tuesday evening – Derby vs Bristol City arguably the pick of the bunch.

The rest of the games take place on Wednesday evening – amongst them Brentford’s trip to leaders Leeds.