Championship Review: West Brom edge Norwich in thriller, Aston Villa leave it late

West Brom claimed their first Championship win of the season in a seven-goal thriller at Norwich City, while Aston Villa defeated Wigan Athletic 3-2 with a late effort.

Middlesbrough are the early pacesetters thanks to their 1-0 triumph at home to Birmingham City, who had Craig Gardner sent off towards the end.

The best game of the day may have occurred in Norwich, but Bristol City’s 2-2 draw at Bolton Wanderers will run it close, as the away side came back to from 2-0 down.

Nottingham Forest and Rotherham United claimed 1-0 wins over Reading and Ipswich Town, respectively, while Hull City and Brentford claimed 1-1 draws away to Sheffield Wednesday and Stoke City.

The only goalless game of the day came at Ewood Park, as Blackburn Rovers were held by Millwall.

Sheffield United won 2-1 at QPR.

SEVEN SCORED AS BAGGIES DOWN CANARIES

It all started so promisingly for Norwich, who went ahead through Jordan Rhodes in the 24th minute, the striker finding the net from close range.

But the Baggies were level just after the half-hour mark thanks to a penalty from Jay Rodriguez, with Rhodes then wasting a spot-kick of his own – Sam Johnstone making the save.

Rodriguez got his second goal of the game early in the second half with a long-range strike, before playing a role in West Brom’s third, stepping over the ball and allowing it to run through to Harvey Barnes, who struck home.

Norwich attempted to battle back in the final 20 minutes, scoring through Teemu Pukki and Grant Hanley, but Hal Robson-Kanu’s finish in between ensured West Brom just about did enough to claim a first win of the season.

Get in #WBA pic.twitter.com/3NThUn8lPz

— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) August 11, 2018

VILLA SQUEEZE PAST WIGAN

Wigan impressed against Sheffield Wednesday last time out, but on Saturday they came unstuck at the end as Villa won 3-2.

James Chester nodded Steve Bruce’s side in front with 14 minutes played, but Wigan battled back and had the lead early in the second period – Nick Powell and then Callum Connolly getting the goals.

But Villa, who missed out on promotion in the play-off final last term, stepped things up towards the end.

A Chey Dunkley own goal restored parity just after the hour and Birkir Bjarnason found the net at the back post in stoppage time, making it back-to-back wins for Villa.

Phew….

That was a close one! #PartOfThePride #AVFC pic.twitter.com/uWK4nxAosx

— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) August 11, 2018

TWO FROM TWO FOR THE SWANS

Relegation was followed by an underwhelming close-season in terms of transfer dealings for Swansea, but they’ve made a morale-boosting start to the new campaign – Saturday’s 1-0 win over Preston North End making it six points from two matches.

It looked as though it might be a frustrating day when Oliver McBurnie’s 11th-minute penalty was well saved by Declan Rudd in the Preston goal.

But, 21 minutes later, Jay Fulton headed in Joel Asoro’s cross for what turned out to be the deciding goal.

 | Take a bow, @Jayfultonn – what a header! 

 Match Centre LIVE!   https://t.co/ws3HB2Lazy #Swans 1 – 0 #pnefc pic.twitter.com/74Jdxhy7M5

— Swansea City AFC (@SwansOfficial) August 11, 2018