Championship round-up: Kike shines for high-flying Middlesbrough
Sunday 16 August 2015 13:04, UK
A round-up of Saturday's Sky Bet Championship, as Kike shines for Middlesbrough and Brighton leave it late to beat Fulham.
Kike scored twice as promotion favourites Middlesbrough eased to a 3-0 Sky Bet Championship victory over Bolton at the Riverside Stadium.
Diego Fabbrini's early opener preceded the Spaniard's brace as last season's play-off finalists, who began the campaign with an uninspiring goalless draw at Preston, put in a stylish performance back in front of their own supporters.
Middlesbrough-born Stewart Downing made a second home debut for the club following his surprise summer switch from West Ham but it was another of Aitor Karanka's summer recruits who put Boro ahead, Watford loanee Fabbrini powering in on seven minutes.
The win leaves Boro second in the table, two points behind early pacesetters Brighton, who are currently the only team with maximum points from two matches after Tomer Hemed's penalty in injury-time gave them a 2-1 win at Fulham.
The highest-scoring game of the day was at Ashton Gate where Bristol City were beaten 4-2 by Brentford.
City twice led through goals from Jonathan Kodjia and Aaron Wilbraham but Alan Judge and a Derrick Williams own goal brought the visitors level.
In between those Brentford goals, City forward Luke Freeman was sent off for a high challenge on Harlee Dean and the extra man counted in the second half as strikes from Andre Gray and Philipp Hofmann gave Marinus Dijkhuizen his first win as Bees boss.
Head coach Paul Clement is still looking for his first Derby victory as their stuttering start continued with a 1-1 draw at home to Charlton. Tony Watt put the Addicks ahead before Chris Martin equalised.
It was also 1-1 at the John Smith's Stadium between Huddersfield and Blackburn as Nathan Delfouneso cancelled out Nahki Wells' opener for the hosts.
Nottingham Forest got off the mark with a 2-1 home victory against Rotherham, who prop up the table at this early stage following back-to-back defeats.
It was the same score at Portman Road as Tommy Smith and Freddie Sears turned the match around for Ipswich after Ross Wallace had put Sheffield Wednesday ahead.
Paul Gallagher's first-half strike settled the game between two of last season's promoted teams as Preston, who had Jordan Hugill sent off for violent conduct, won 1-0 at MK Dons.
In the lunchtime kick-off, Burnley drew 2-2 with Birmingham. Jon Toral and Paul Caddis had the Blues twice ahead at Turf Moor but the hosts levelled on each occasion with goals from Michael Keane and Matthew Taylor.
