Championship round up – Kevin Blackwell wins sack race
Neil Warnock returned to his old stomping ground on Saturday to insert the final nail in the coffin of his former assistant, Kevin Blackwell’s Sheffield United career. Warnock’s QPR side ran riot at Brammal Lane, goals from Hogan Ephraim, Jamie Mackie and a penalty from Adel Taarabt secured a 3-0 victory which triggered the United board to terminate Blackwell’s contract with immediate effect.
The writing had seemingly been on the wall for the 51-year-old for some time now, his robust style of play was not easy on the eye and the calls of “Blackwell out” after Taarabt had netted the third Rangers goal summed up the home fans feelings. Maybe the Blades fans should be lining the streets of west-London to thank Warnock for the hammering inflicted, as Gary Speed has been announced as Blackwell’s successor, a coach with a lot of potential.
QPR’s second thumping victory in as many games was not enough to hold onto top spot in the Championship as newly promoted Millwall continued their great start to the season with a 4-0 victory over Hull, to follow up their 3-0 defeat of Bristol City last weekend. Steve Morison, who was playing Conference football less than a year ago, bagged two of the Millwall goals, whilst Kevin Lisbie and Liam Trotter grabbed a goal each. The Lions unlikely start is all the more commendable given that the wins were against opponents that are fancied to do well this year, the pre-season quotes of 80-1 to gain promotion are looking pretty generous now.
Jimmy Kebe struck a late equalizer for Reading, who drew 1-1 against Portsmouth at Fratton Park to give both sides their first points of the season.
Swansea romped to a 4-0 victory over a poor Preston side thanks to three first-half goals in the City manager Brendan Rodgers' first home Championship game in charge.
Keith Millen was denied a dream start to his reign as Bristol City boss, as Billy Sharp cancelled out a Damien Stewart header to snatch a late 1-1 draw.
Full list of Results;
Barnsley 1 - 0 Crystal Palace
Sheffield United 0 - 3 QPR
Portsmouth 1 - 1 Reading
Scunthorpe 0 - 1 Norwich
Derby 1 - 2 Cardiff
Watford 2 - 2 Coventry
Millwall 4 - 0 Hull
Doncaster 1 - 1 Bristol City
Swansea 4 - 0 Preston
Leicester 0 - 0 Middlesbrough
Ipswich 1 - 1 Burnley
Tags: