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Frank Lampard hailed Coventry’s “outstanding” display after the Sky Blues saw off 10-man Birmingham 3-0 to extend their unbeaten start. Brandon Thomas-Asante opened the scoring in the first half before Jack Robinson was sent off for a second bookable offence just before the break. Coventry took full advantage as a Bright Osayi-Samuel own goal was followed by Victor Torp’s fifth goal of the campaign to round off the win.
“It was outstanding, every part of the game, 11 v 11, 11 v 10, the focus of the group, the work ethic, the desire to compete in challenges and duels against a strong team,” said Lampard. “If you want to succeed in this league you have to have big physicality and capacity. That’s one of the things we’ve worked on a lot and it’s really grown.”
Leaders Middlesbrough extended their unbeaten run with a 1-1 draw at Southampton thanks to Kaly Sene’s late equaliser cancelling out Adam Armstrong’s opener. Rob Edwards’ side have won five and drawn two of their opening seven games to sit four points clear at the top. It is Boro’s best league start for 149 years, but Will Still is still searching for answers at Southampton who have now won just one of their last 21 league games.
Sheffield United secured their first points of the season as Callum O’Hare scored the only goal in a 1-0 win at Oxford. Last season’s beaten play-off finalists had started the campaign with six consecutive defeats, which resulted in new manager Rubén Sellés being replaced by Chris Wilder. But despite earning a first victory since 12 May, the Blades remain rooted to the bottom of the table, two points behind city rivals Sheffield Wednesday.
Sorba Thomas’ second-half goal earned Stoke a 1-1 comeback draw but the Potters’ nine-year wait for a first home win over Norwich goes on. The former Huddersfield player’s third goal of the season after 48 minutes cancelled out Jovon Makama’s second in two games in the opening half. Both teams hit the woodwork after the break as Norwich stretched their unbeaten run against their hosts to 10 games.
Charlton sealed a second consecutive win with a comfortable 3-0 home victory over Blackburn. The hosts led at half-time through Macaulay Gillesphey and made sure in the second-half thanks to a Sonny Carey strike and a late third from James Bree.
Vivaldo Semedo’s first goal for Watford stifled the air of mutiny at Vicarage Road and handed under-fire head coach Paulo Pezzolano a gritty 2-1 win against Hull. In a changeable atmosphere, with home fans turning on their manager before the Hornets’ second-half fightback, 20-year-old Portuguese striker Semedo’s unmarked header from skipper Imran Louza’s corner 12 minutes from time completed an unlikely turnaround.
Louza’s first goal since February had cancelled out Oli McBurnie’s fifth of the season, which had put the Tigers on course for back-to-back wins in the Championship. But Watford, who had kicked off in the bottom three – their lowest league position since October 2011 – summoned the spirit to lift the pressure on Pezzolano for now.
Alex Neil said he hoped Josh Coburn can build on his first goal of the season after Millwall maintained their unbeaten away league record with a 1-1 draw against Swansea. Coburn struck on the stroke of half-time to cancel out Zan Vipotnik’s sixth goal in seven games this season, an instinctive backheel that gave the home side the lead in the 12th minute. It meant the Lions kept their two-point lead over their hosts in mid-table and built on their 1-0 home win over Watford earlier in the week.
“That’s a good end to a pretty good week for us and it was nice to see Josh getting a goal,” said Millwall boss Alex Neil. “He’s been getting into the right positions and creating chances, but he hasn’t been converting. I just hope things start to click for him now he’s off the mark.
Sheffield Wednesday earned their first home point of the season as they recorded a 1-1 draw with QPR at Hillsborough. Dominic Iorfa’s header put the Owls in front in the first half but Nicolas Madsen’s penalty cancelled it out early in the second. Thousands of Wednesday fans held black and gold scarves aloft on the 10th minute in protest against owner Dejphon Chansiri, symbolising his 10 years in charge of the club.
First-half goals from Jaden Philogene and George Hirst helped Ipswich to a second consecutive home league victory as they beat Portsmouth 2-1. Philogene, who hit a hat-trick in the previous outing at Portman Road against Sheffield United, struck in the ninth minute and Hirst four minutes before the break. Portsmouth claimed a consolation goal in additional time through Marlon Pack but there was no way back.
Phil Parkinson felt his Wrexham side could have taken all three points after they were denied a first home victory in the Championship in their 1-1 draw with Derby. Lewis O’Brien’s second-half strike put Wrexham ahead but Ben Brereton Díaz levelled soon afterwards to record his first goal for Derby. “It was a strong performance, so I’m disappointed,” said Parkinson. “Derby are a direct side, but we stood strong against that. We’re improving as a team and learning about the Championship from each game.”
Preston extended their unbeaten home league record to four matches with a 0-0 draw against Bristol City. Anis Mehmeti had the best opportunity to win it right at the death for the visitors but was denied from six yards by North End keeper Daniel Iversen.
