Championship round-up

Watford and Stoke move top

By Lewis Rutledge   Last updated: 19th August 2007

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Fulham: Stoke equaliser

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Teams

  • Barnsley
  • Blackpool

Players

  • Alan Lee
  • Leon McKenzie

Also see

Watford and Stoke maintained their 100 per cent winning records, and are clear at the top after a day of draws in the Championship.

The early pacesetters from the first weekend of the season - Coventry, Ipswich and Crystal Palace - were all held, while the battle between promoted sides Blackpool and Bristol City also ended in a draw.

Southampton's poor start continued with a 2-1 defeat away to Norwich, while Scunthorpe remain unbeaten after a 2-0 victory over Burnley.

Blackpool 1 Bristol City 1

Blackpool continued their fine start to the Championship but were denied their second successive victory as Bristol City rescued a late draw at Bloomfield Road. Andy Morrell opened the scoring for The Seasiders seven minutes into the second half, but Scott Murray levelled after 72 minutes.

Colchester 2 Barnsley 2

Colchester played out their second 2-2 draw in a row in a game which saw Brian Howard score both Barnsley's goals from the penalty spot. Howard's opener after 28 minutes was cancelled out by veteran Colchester striker Teddy Sheringham on the stroke of half-time. Matthew Connolly then put the home side in front three minutes after the break, before Howard struck again five minutes from time.

Coventry 1 Hull City 1

Coventry were held to a surprise draw by ten-man Hull as former England international Nick Barmby grabbed an equaliser for The Tigers after 62 minutes. Leon McKenzie had opened the scoring for Coventry after 51 minutes, while Samuel Ricketts was the player sent off for Hull.

Crystal Palace 2 Leicester 2

There was late drama at Selhurst Park as Clinton Morrison salvaged a point for Crystal Palace deep into stoppage time. After Stuart Green broke the deadlock for Palace in the 33rd minute, DJ Campbell (63) and Patrick Kisnorbo (87) found the target as Leicester came storming back, before Morrison had the final word.

Norwich 2 Southampton 1

Kenwyne Jones shrugged off speculation about his future to fire Saints ahead after 37 minutes, but Jamie Cureton was Norwich's hero in the second half as he made a successful return to the side with goals in the 61st and 71st minute.

Plymouth 1 Ipswich 1

There were goals at either end of the game as Plymouth drew with Ipswich at Home Park. Alan Lee silenced the Argyle fans in only the second minute, and the score remained 1-0 until Sylvan Ebanks-Blake popped up with an equaliser after 85 minutes.

QPR 0 Cardiff City 2

Cardiff bounced back from their opening day defeat with a 2-0 victory at Queens Park Rangers. Paul Parry opened his account for the season after 29 minutes and secured the points for Cardiff with his second of the afternoon in the 59th minute.

Scunthorpe 2 Burnley 0

Scunthorpe continued to confound expectations as they cruised to victory over Burnley. After holding Charlton last week, goals from Martin Paterson (47) and James Goodwin (64) secured three more points for The Iron.

Stoke City 2 Charlton 1

Stoke came from behind to beat Charlton at The Britannia Stadium. Andy Reid scored for last season's relegated Premier League side after 55 minutes, only for Ricardo Fuller to equalise two minutes later and Jonathan Parkin to net the winner 12 minutes from time.

Watford 1 Sheff Utd 0

Lee Williamson netted the only goal of the game as Watford moved joint top of the table. Sheffield United, one of the favourites for promotion, are still to win a game in the Championship after failing to recover from Williamson's strike in the 56th minute.

West Brom 2 Preston NE 0

West Brom underlined their promotion credentials with a 2-0 win over Preston. The Baggies were frustrated for over an hour before Kevin Phillips broke down Preston's resistance after 65 minutes. Ishmael Miller then scored on his debut six minutes later.