Bad start for Rafa Benitez and his Newcastle defeated at Fulham as the Championship kicks off. Here is what happened in the first day of the season.
The favourites for a quick return to the Premier, Newcastle were defeated at Craven Cottage by Fulham on Friday night as the Championship kicked off. A goal on the strike of halftime by Mat Smith sealed Rafa Benitez and his boys faith.
First three points for Norwich as they trashed Blackburn Rovers 1-4 at Ewood Park. The goals for the Canaries came from Murphy (12′), Hoolahan (17′), Jerome (25′) and Naismith (58′). The consolation goal for the home team came in the 67′ from Stokes.
Bristol City had a good start to the season as they defeated at home newly promoted Wigan 2-1. It was Wigan who took the lead in the 32′ through Gilby but two second half goals towards the end from Abraham (81′) and Reid (90′) gave all three points to the Robins.
Nottingham Forest under new french manager Philippe Montanier had to sweat hard to obtain three points against new comers to the Championship, Burton. The Brewers under former Nottingham player and manager Nigel Clough, after going 1-0 in the 23′ through Assombalonga, stunned the home fans with two historic goals by Akins (27′) and Dyer (30′).
But in added time before halftime Lam managed to equalise for the Reds. In the second 45′ Montanier’s boys added two more through Burke and Assombalonga before Naylor got one back for Burton to make the score 4-3.
In the dying moments of the game Burton went inches wide to equalise and in the end the applauses were all for Clough’s boys.
Home win on this opening day of the Championship for Huddersfield who defeated Brentford 2-1 at the Galpharm Stadium through goals from Kachunga and Palmer while Yennaris had momentarily equalised for the Bees.
Even Ipswich cruised to a 4-2 victory at Portman Road over Barnsley. Substitute Ward put the Blues ahead at the start of the second half but Hourihane equalised three minutes later for Tykes. It was Ward again who put he home team in front with McGoldrick making it 3-1 from the penalty spot. Ward in the 84′ obtained his third goal in a memorable afternoon to make the score read 4-2 after Watkins got the second one for the visitors.
Whereas a 35′ goal from Swift gave former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam as manager of Reading, all three points with a home win over Preston.
Elsewhere draws without goals where registered between Birmingham – Cardiff and Derby – Brighton. Whereas Walter Zenga obtained his first point at the helm of Wolves in a 2-2 draw against Rotherham United.
