West Brom sit on top of the Championship table after a 1-0 win away to Derby. West Ham made it three wins in a row and moved to second with a important away win at Bolton. Charlton and QPR shared the points in a London derby while Burnley and Cardiff as still awaiting their first league victories of the season. Preston’s poor form continues as they are rooted to the bottom of the table.
Bolton 2-3 West Ham.
West Ham maintained their excellent run of form and made it three wins on the spin with a 2-3 victory over Bolton at the Toughsheet Community Stadium. Meanwhile for Bolton this was their fourth successive defeat in the league leaving Steven Schumacher side on a poor run of form.
It was The Hammers who took an early lead on 13 minutes when skipper Jarrod Bowen slotted home from close range inside the box after Bolton keeper Gavin Bazunu blocked a close range effort from Pablo.
The Trotters hit back within five minutes when midfielder Ethan Erhahon’s drilled effort deflected of Konstantinos Mavropanos and flew into the back of the net.
Looking for their first win since the opening day, the home side were galvanised and were given the perfect opportunity to take the lead when Hammers defender Kyle Walker-Peters made an illegal challenge on winger Kyliane Dong. The referee pointed to the spot with hesitation and Ruben Rodrigues cooly slotted home to give the home team the advantage.
West Ham then attempted to turn the screw and apply pressure and got their reward on 31 minutes when Arne Engels swung in a deep free kick from the right halfspace to the far post where Mavropanos headed home to make the game all square.
The game was less frenetic in the second half with West ham more in control of the game. Substitutes Manor Solomon and Joel Piroe both wasted good opportunities to put the game bed with the latter blazing over with only the keeper to beat.
It was the East Londoners who secured all three points when Bowen squeezed a shot past the Bolton keeper at the near post which seemed to trickle underneath, looking back the goalkeeper will feel he could of done a lot better.
West Ham will hope to maintain their fine form as they solidify their position as promotion favourites while Bolton will hope form turns around soon as to not get dragged into a relegation scrap.
Jarrod Bowen of West Ham United celebrates with teammates after scoring their side’s third goal during the Sky Bet Championship 2026/27 match between Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United at Toughsheet Community Stadium on September 08, 2026 in Bolton, England. (Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
The Rest of the ActionSouthampton 3-1 Swansea
Cyle Larin netted his fifth goal of the season as Southampton put high flying Swansea to the sword at St Mary’s Stadium.
Swansea made five changes from the draw with Wrexham in an attempt to freshen things up but the hosts were full of energy and intensity in their attacking play.
The Saints took the lead on nine minutes with a neat left footed finish inside the box from Finn Azaz, his second goal of the season.
Southampton doubled the lead on 33 minutes when Cyle Larin slotted in from close range after being played through by James Bree.
Bree was then deemed to have pulled back Swansea forward Zan Vipotnik in the box, the Slovenian picked himself up to slot the penalty home and give The Swans some hope of a way back on 52 minutes.
Leo Scienza secured the points for Southampton when he calmly slotted home after being released by Kuryu Matsuki on 78 minutes.
Swansea will be desperate to not let his result affect their form as they push for promotion and will be eager to get back on track at home to Burnley on Saturday.
Blackburn 1-2 Sheffield United
Sheffield United returned to winning ways with a 1-2 win against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park. All goals were scored in the first half, Kristi Montgomery gave the Lancashire side a deserved lead on 20 minutes with a curled effort from the edge of the box. The blades turned the game on its head when Thomas Cannon equalised on 35 minutes and Sydie Peck fired home a minute before the break to seal the points.
Cardiff 1-1 Stoke
Cardiff’swinless start to the season continued as they shared the points with Stoke City at the Cardiff City Stadium with a 1-1 draw. Stoke were dreaming of an away day win when Ben Johson scored his first goal for the club midway through the first half to give the potters the lead.
Cardiff applied the pressure and forced and equaliser through Joel Colwill’s header. Cardiff will be rueing missed chances but will hope to build on the point as they seek their first victory.
Finn Azaz of Southampton celebrates after opening the scoring during the Sky Bet Championship 2026/27 match between Southampton and Swansea City at St Mary’s Stadium on September 08, 2026 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images)
Watford 2-1 Preston
Preston suffered their fifth defeat in six games as they fell 2-1 to Watford at Vicarage Road. Callum Lang gave the visitors the lead on five minutes when he scored on the rebound from Leo Leroy shot despite the goalkeeper’s best effort to keep it out.
Preston missed numerous chance as were made to pay when Edo Kayembe equalised on 69 minutes. The Hornets snatched the points when Mamadou Doumbia headed home on 76 minutes to give Watford a much needed win.
Wrexham 1-1 Burnley
Burnley remain winless as they shared the points against Wrexham in North East Wales. They’ll be concerns regarding Burnley’s position near the foot of the table as many would of predicted them to make a fight for promotion this season. Meanwhile Wrexham are still awaiting their first home win of the season.
Zeki Amdouni gave The Clarets the lead on 26 minutes when he tucked home a finish from close range. Wrexham found a way back into the game in the second half when Jacques Ekomie headed home his second goal for the club since a £7 million from Angers in the summer.
The point does little to boost either sides hopes of promotion this season, Wrexham have seemed to have lost the momentum they had from last season while Burnley struggle to find any form.
Derby 0-1 West Brom
West Brom moved to the top of the championship with an 1-0 win against Derby at Pride Park despite playing an hour with 10 men.
The visitors took an early lead on 16 minutes when Aune Heggebo slotted in at the near post. West Brom’s Brayann Pereira had a debut to forget when he was shown a second yellow card 34 minutes for a reckless challenge on Charlie Taylor.
Derby did apply the pressure in the second half and should of equalised on 68 minutes when Lars-Jorgen Salvesen headed over from Joe Ward’s cross.
West Brom show grit and determination to take the three points back to the West Midlands.
Norwich 2-1 Birmingham
Norwich continued their good form and made it three wins in four league games with a 2-1 win at home to Birmingham.
Birmingham had the better of the early contest and thought they took the lead when Liam Miller converted at the back post on 22 minutes only for the offside flag to be raised although it was a tight decision.
Norwich took the lead on 28 minutes when young Dane Oscar Schwartau picked up the ball and unleashed an unstoppable shot from outside the box to give The Canaries the advantage.
They doubled the lead on 39 minutes when Papa Diallo side footed home to really put his side in a commanding position and maintain this excellent form. Birmingham did reduce the deficit through Carlos Vicente on 64 minute but that was only to be a consolation.
Charlton 0-0 QPR
Charlton and QPR shared the spoils in a goalless draw at The Valley in South East London.
QPR knew a third straight away win would be enough to take them to the top of the table, but they were unable to produce a clinical finish despite some nice build up play.
Charlton thought they took the lead on 39 minutes when Tyreece Campbell finished from Oliver Skipp’s through ball but the goal was ruled offside although it looked razor thin.
QPR dictated the possession and control in the second half with 72 percent possession while Charlton were unable to muster a shot on target but the points were shared to maintain both team’s promotion charge.