MICK MCCARTHY’S IPSWICH Town retained their perfect record in the Championship this season with a dramatic third victory at Millwall last night, while pre-season favourites Aston Villa remain winless.
Table-topping Cardiff City and Wolves have also won each of their three games so far this term, but Nottingham Forest saw their own winning start come to an end at Barnsley.
Irish striker Daryl Murphy was on target for Forest but it couldn’t prevent them going down to a 2-1 defeat.
Only Burton Albion are keeping Villa off the foot of the table as they were beaten at Middlesbrough — with Darren Randolph and Cyrus Christie both starters for the home side.
Just like last season, this Championship campaign is not going to plan for Villa as their 2-1 reverse at Reading means they are winless after three games.
Ireland’s Conor Hourihane scored with three minutes left for Steve Bruce’s men, but an unfortunate own-goal from his international team-mate Glenn Whelan and a Modou Barrow strike meant it was too little too late.
Scott Hogan, who has recently made it clear that he wants to represent Ireland, went off with an injury after 29 minutes. Liam Kelly started for the Royals.
Elsewhere, Derby County beat Preston North End 1-0, with both teams now on four points.
Captain Greg Cunningham and Alan Browne, both called into Ireland’s provisional squad this week, started for Preston while Sean Maguire and Daryl Horgan were second-half substitutes and Andy Boyle was unused. Richard Keogh played 90 minutes for Derby.
After wins against Birmingham City and Barnsley, it looked for a long time as though Ipswich would have to settle for a point at Millwall. In a thrilling game, the hosts were in front through Jed Wallace inside a minute but then headed into the break 3-2 down after Joe Garner equalised and Martyn Waghorn — either side of an Aiden O’Brien goal — hit a brace.
Goals were harder to come by after half-time, but Millwall looked to have earned a point 10 minutes from time when Tom Elliott brought the sides level once again. But Ipswich were not to be denied and Jordan Spence struck in the 88th minute to record another win.
While Ipswich did things the hard way, Cardiff’s routine 2-0 home win over Sheffield United ensured the Bluebirds stay top of the division as Sean Morrison and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing scored either side of half-time.
Wolves, on the other hand, were given a tough test away at relegated Hull City, holding on to win on Humberside despite the hosts scoring a penalty in the 100th minute.
Ruben Neves’ first goal in English football was cancelled out by Michael Dawson, but Wolves did enough to win the game through Diogo Jota and Nouha Dicko before a late spot-kick from Ireland’s David Meyler.
Forest, no longer boast a perfect record after they fell to a 2-1 defeat at Barnsley. Leeds United and Fulham drew 0-0 to both remain unbeaten. Meanwhile, Bristol City’s Bobby Reid scored in the 98th minute to deny Brentford three points, while Bolton Wanderers’ wait goes on after a goalless draw at Birmingham.
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