EFL Championship Gameweek Three Round-Up: Blackburn Rovers Flying High as the Canaries Continue to Struggle
It’s been said before, and it is definitely evident now, that the EFL Championship is a hard league to predict, and the manner in which Norwich City, for example, have started the campaign is certainly proof of the unpredictable nature of the second-tier of the English game.
Those with an interest in EFL Championship betting may well have backed the Canaries to make an immediate return to the Premier League, as they have done on two other occasions in recent seasons, but Dean Smith’s side has shown that just about anything can happen in this league.
Blackburn Rovers Continue 100% Record
Newly installed manager Jon Dahl Tomasson couldn’t have hoped for a better start to his Ewood Park regime, and things are certainly looking up for the Lancashire side. Having beaten QPR and Swansea City in their first two fixtures, the visit of West Brom, one of the big teams pushing for a Premier League spot, was one that they met head-on with no fear.
Stoke-on-Trent-born Chilean international Ben Brereton Diaz scored his second of the season to put the home side ahead, and Sam Gallagher put Tomasson’s side further in front before former West Ham man Grady Diagana cut the deficit, but Blackburn Rovers held on to make it three wins from three, the only side in the EFL Championship to manage a 100% record after three games.
Tigers Savage the Canaries
Hull City sit in second place after they overcame a tame Norwich City side, with a brace from Oscar Estupinan being enough to overcome the East Anglian side. The Canaries had plenty of possession but found it hard to find the killer touch. Marcelino Nunez did net a 30-yard cracker, but Dean Smith was unable to prevent his side from falling to a defeat that leaves them bottom of the table with just one point from their first three games of the season.
Watford Overcome Burnley In Friday Night Clash
Rob Edwards continued his solid start as Watford boss as his side edged past Vincent Kompany’s Burnley in what was billed as a battle of two of the big favourites for the EFL Championship title.
Tom Cleverley scored just before half-time, but arguably Burnley should have been ahead before that with Josh Brownhill twice going close. The Hornets could even afford to see Hassana Kamara sent off late on for a professional foul, and the Vicarage Road side now sits in third place after the first three rounds of the season.
Sunderland and QPR Play Out Entertaining Draw
Two sides that could well be battling for promotion come May, Sunderland and QPR, fought out a thoroughly entertaining 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light. The home side were two goals to the good at half-time, with Ross Stewart and Ellis Sims scoring for the Black Cats.
However, Michael Beale’s side showed great character to fight back, netting twice in the closing stages through Ilias Chair and Seny Dieng, a result that was perhaps not deserved but nonetheless will certainly please the West London side more than their hosts.
