Crystal Palace fans blame home defeat on the sending-off of defender Claude Davis but at least get to see new signing Edgar Davids in the stands
Bristol City 3-3 Barnsley
Was it a good match? As both sides defended poorly it was an entertaining match with plenty of goalmouth action. With better finishing the overall goal count would have easily reached double figures. We deserve credit for not giving up and for twice coming from behind. However, against a team who don’t travel well we should have gone on and found a winner. Our injury jinx continues with Cole Skuse being carried off. Who played well/who had a nightmare? We have not yet found our game and as a team we need to defend better. Going forward sub Lee Johnson was creative in midfield and Albert Adomah showed glimpses of quality.
Barry Hayes, Observer reader
Burnley 3-0 Leicester City
Was it a good match? We’re back in this division where the ball moves quicker and the players move slower. So early in the season we don’t know which teams are good and which are bad. Any team can beat any other on their day. The first goal was a complete fluke, the second was quite good while the third, via the penalty spot, was a complete formality given that Graham Alexander stepped up to take it. Leicester didn’t create much. Who played well/who had a nightmare? Big Chris Iwelumo did really well as a lone front man, winning all his headers. André Bikey was outrageously committed.
Andrew Firmin, LondonClarets.com
Cardiff City 4-0 Doncaster Rovers
Was it a good match? Early on, Doncaster made it difficult until we got injuries, which forced changes that increased our attacking threat. Craig Bellamy was involved in everything; he set up Chris Burke with a 70-yard pass and scored a thundering free-kick. Our depth of talent going forward is frightening, the best I’ve ever seen at Cardiff. When Bellamy was substituted with 10 minutes left, we could bring on Jason Koumas. The expectation is for promotion. We are the team to beat. Who played well/who had a nightmare? Bellamy will get the headlines, but Burke changed the game. Seyi Olofinjana was excellent.
Michael Morris, CardiffCity-Mad.co.uk
Coventry City 2-1 Derby County
Was it a good match? Sky TV, an early kick-off and pouring rain – a good attendance does not make. And there looked no more than 11,000, including Marlon King, in the Ricoh Arena which is celebrating its fifth birthday for this fixture. Derby have taken 14 points off City in recent matches so it was pleasing to go in at the break a goal up and even more satisfying when Ben Turner hit the winner with 11 minutes to go. Who played well/who had a nightmare? Any one of the City back four including the excellent Martin Cranie and Turner. Gary McSheffrey worked hard and put in a good performance.
Kev Monks, CoventryCity-Mad.co.uk
Crystal Palace 1-2 Ipswich Town
Was it a good match? Both teams wanted to pass the ball around instead of pumping long balls forward. The game had some needle to it as Owen Garvan and Alan Lee were ex-Ipswich players. The match turned on the sending-off. Apart from the goals, neither keeper had much to do. Ipswich are a neat and tidy side, but they won’t finish above mid-table. Edgar Davids was introduced to the fans at half-time. Who played well/who had a nightmare? Julian Bennett had a good game at left back and supported the front two when he could. Wilfried Zaha struggled in the first half and was much better with the ball at his feet.
Chris Waters, CPSTrust.org.uk
Hull City 0-0 Watford
Was it a good match? It was pretty dismal, both teams had nothing in the final third. Hull were marginally better on the ball, but with no killer instinct. The new players need time to settle in, none of the attacking players were with us last year. We’re playing like (manager) Nigel Pearson’s personality, a bit dour and defensive minded. The fans didn’t like having one up front, the young lad Jay Simpson had a difficult game on his own. We’ve got young talent so there’s no need to panic. Who played well/who had a nightmare? Paul McShane did well, showed some nice bits of skill which is very unusual for him.
Chris Frankish, Observer reader.
Leeds United 3-1 Millwall
Was it a good match? We absolutely battered them in the first half. We had 11 chances – if Jermaine Beckford was still here he would have taken a few – and their goal was an own goal. After half-time we were sluggish and it was tense until Davide Somma polished them off at the end. Millwall have been our bogey side so it’s nice to get them out of the way. I would be delighted with mid-table consolidation this year. Who played well/who had a nightmare? The wide men Lloyd Sam and Sanchez Watt were fantastic.
Colin MacLeod, Observer reader
Norwich City 2-0 Swansea City
Was it a good match? Norwich started like a steam train. The visitors couldn’t get to grips with our pressing game, but Swansea grew in confidence as the game went on. Up until the 84th minute it looked as though it was going to peter out into a 0-0 draw, however the penalty save changed the game. It lifted the whole crowd and you could sense the momentum shift towards Norwich. The first goal came from nothing and the second just compounded Swansea’s woe. Who played well/who had a nightmare? Elliott Ward was outstanding and was calm and assured after looking edgy in the opening fixtures.
Tom Haylett, NorwichCity.MyFootballWriter.com
Preston North End 1-0 Portsmouth
Was it a good match? It just shows you what we can do when we try. Our problem is scoring goals – we press teams a lot – but that’s our first in three league games. Portsmouth looked like a team that are going to struggle this season. They’re in a bad way. We were worried about David Nugent returning to Deepdale, but I think he’ll be disappointed with his performance. Who played well/who had a nightmare? Josh King ran their defence ragged. Matty James tackles and breaks out of defensive positions well. Keith Treacy got better as the game went on. Billy Jones was my MOTM.
Geoff Ollerton, PSG.me.uk
Queens Park Rangers 2-0 Scunthorpe United
Was it a good match? It was a comfortable victory. Adel Taarabt ran the show in the first half, before being booked for diving in the second. It was a bit of a shock him being made captain over Shaun Derry. After half-time we sat back but under Neil Warnock there’s more assurance that if we’re leading we’ll see it through. He’s got us playing with more discipline and it’s good to see his passion on the touchline. It’s the first time since 1947 that we’ve won the first three games of a new season. We could make the play-offs but tougher tests lie ahead. Who played well/who had a nightmare? Heidar Helguson had a good game.
Peter Davies, WeAreTheRangersBoys.com
Reading 1-1 Nottingham Forest
Was it a good match? It was probably a fair result. We had more of the ball, but didn’t use it effectively. The longer we have to wait for a win this season, I feel, the harder it will be. Forest aren’t outstanding, but, like all Billy Davies sides, were well organised. Who played well/who had a nightmare? Adam Federici was at fault for their goal, but made two excellent saves in the first half. Shane Long played well without a huge amount of support. Brynjar Gunnarsson replaced the injured Andy Griffin to good effect and, although not being the fastest player on show, tackled hard and got forward well.
Mike Robson, Observer reader
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