Coventry City rallied to beat Derby County 5-3 in a thrilling Championship contest, while Wrexham’s wait for a first point continues after a 3-2 loss to West Brom. Other key points included Norwich City securing their first win of the season with a 2-1 victory over Portsmouth
Saturday witnessed a day of dramatic encounters in the Championship, with Coventry City staging a remarkable comeback to defeat Derby County 5-3 in a match filled with twists and turns. Meanwhile, Wrexham's highly anticipated return to the second tier ended in disappointment as they fell 3-2 to West Bromwich Albion at the Racecourse Ground.
At Pride Park, Coventry City demonstrated resilience and attacking prowess to overcome a resilient Derby County side. The Sky Blues initially took the lead when a Victor Torp free-kick was deflected in off Bobby Thomas, only for Callum Elder to equalize for the Rams with a well-executed left-footed strike. The game continued to swing back and forth, with Coventry regaining the lead through a Haji Wright penalty after Dion Sanderson fouled Ephron Mason-Clark. However, Derby responded emphatically, with Carlton Morris converting a penalty of their own following a Thomas handball, and Ebou Adams giving the hosts a 3-2 advantage with a scuffed finish early in the second half.
With just 18 minutes remaining, Coventry found themselves trailing, but they displayed incredible character to launch a stunning fightback. Milan van Ewijk played a pivotal role in Coventry's resurgence, first heading against the upright from a long throw-in, with Brandon Thomas-Asante pouncing on the rebound to level the scores. Van Ewijk then turned provider, delivering pinpoint crosses for Mason-Clark and Torp to complete the turnaround and secure a memorable 5-3 victory for Coventry City. The win marked Coventry's first league victory of the season, while condemning Derby to their second defeat.
In North Wales, Wrexham's return to the Championship after a 42-year absence was met with a determined West Brom side. Isaac Price opened the scoring for the Baggies, but Wrexham responded through a stunning Lewis O'Brien volley that leveled the scores before half-time. However, West Brom regained the lead in the 74th minute when Jed Wallace, moments after coming on as a substitute, fired past Danny Ward at his near post. Price then added his second goal of the match with a glancing header from Mikey Johnston's cross to extend West Brom's lead. Sam Smith's late diving header proved to be a mere consolation for Wrexham, as they suffered their second defeat of the season.
Elsewhere in the Championship, Norwich City secured their first win of the season with a 2-1 victory over Portsmouth. Harry Darling and Josh Sargent scored quickfire goals for the Canaries, while Portsmouth's Colby Bishop had a penalty saved by Vladan Kovacevic before Adrian Segecic pulled one back late on.
These results highlight the unpredictable nature of the Championship and the excitement that the league promises to deliver throughout the season. Coventry's remarkable comeback and West Brom's victory demonstrated the attacking talent on display, while Wrexham's defeat served as a reminder of the challenges that await them in their Championship journey.
Coventry’s win marks a significant milestone, ending a seven-game winless streak in their first away matches of league campaigns, a drought stretching back to 2017 when they triumphed over Grimsby Town in League Two. This victory underscores the team's enhanced resilience and tactical adaptability under their manager. Similarly, West Brom’s early success under Ryan Mason is noteworthy. Securing two consecutive wins at the start of the season is a feat they last achieved in the 2017-18 Premier League season, a campaign that ultimately ended in relegation. The contrasting fortunes of these teams set an intriguing stage for the challenges and opportunities ahead in this Championship season.