by Chris Nokes
This past weekend brought with it another healthy serving of npower Championship action, the division once again failing to disappoint. Six teams are yet to taste defeat after three games, whilst another half-dozen are yet to find their first three-pointer of the campaign.
The only team still with a 100% record this term is Neil Warnock's Queens Park Rangers. The Super-Hoops recorded a 2-0 victory over Scunthorpe United at Loftus Road on Saturday, thanks to first half goals from new signing Bradley Orr and a hundredth league goal for Heidar Helguson. Rangers also kept a third consecutive clean sheet, completing an excellent start to their season - their best for over sixty years. The team who had shared top spot with QPR after two games was newly promoted Millwall, but their undefeated streak was ended by last year's League Two runners up Leeds United at Elland Road. United came from behind after a Richard Naylor own goal to win 3-1 thanks to a goal from Lloyd Sam and a brace from Davide Somma.
Burnley and Cardiff City enjoyed the two greatest scoring margins of the day, with the Clarets dispatching Leicester City 3-0 at Turf Moor and the Bluebirds romping to a 4-0 victory over Doncaster Rovers. For Leicester, and specifically Paulo Sousa, the defeat caused murmurings of discontent to intensify with the Foxes having claimed just one point from their opening three games.
The most goals in a single game on the weekend were at Ashton Gate, as Bristol City drew 3-3 with Barnsley in Keith Millen's first home game in charge. In a topsy-turvy affair, visiting boss Mark Robins will have been disappointed not to claim all three points from the match as the Tykes were in front for a large portion of the game but were frustrated by City's resilience.
Other sides to enjoy wins on Saturday were Coventry City, Ipswich Town, Norwich City and Preston North End who earned wins over Derby County, Crystal Palace, Swansea City and Portsmouth respectively. A special mention though should go to Preston, who after last weekend's results were the only side yet to have a point on the board. However, a solitary Paul Hayes goal for the Lilywhites against Pompey secured the three points on Saturday, which alleviated any early season pressure on Darren Ferguson's men.
There were only two draws this weekend. Hull City and Watford played out a chance-restricted 0-0 stalemate at the KC Stadium, whilst Reading and Nottingham Forest drew 1-1 at the Madjeski Stadium with a goal from former Bluebird Robert Earnshaw cancelling out an Alex Pearce's opener for the home side.
On Sunday, the Sky cameras turned to the Riverside Stadium, as former Wales captain Gary Speed made his managerial debut for Sheffield United in a 1-0 defeat to Middlesbrough. A Kris Boyd goal was enough for the home side, the early season promotion favourites gaining their first three points of the campaign.
Npower Championship Results:
Saturday 21st August
Bristol City 3-3 Barnsley
Burnley 3-0 Leicester City
Cardiff City 4-0 Doncaster Rovers
Coventry City 2-1 Derby County
Crystal Palace 1-2 Ipswich Town
Hull City 0-0 Watford
Leeds United 3-1 Millwall
Norwich City 2-0 Swansea City
Preston North End 1-0 Portsmouth
QPR 2-0 Scunthorpe United
Reading 1-1 Nottingham Forest
Sunday 22nd August
Middlesbrough 1-0 Sheffield United
