Norwich rove to comfortable win as Forest dominate in seven-goal thriller

 

Relegated Norwich made a blistering start to life back in the Sky Bet Championship as they thrashed Blackburn 4-1 at Ewood Park.

Jacob Murphy, Wes Hoolahan, Cameron Jerome and Steven Naismith all got on the scoresheet inside the first hour as the Canaries ruined Owen Coyle's first competitive match in charge of Rovers.

Blackburn's consolation came from new signing Anthony Stokes.

Burton put up a brave showing on their Championship bow before going down 4-3 in a pulsating derby at Nottingham Forest.

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Albion led with half an hour gone after responding to Britt Assombalonga's early effort with goals in quick succession from Lucas Akins and Lloyd Dyer.

Forest levelled just before the break through Thomas Lam and second-half goals from Oliver Burke and Assombalonga secured victory for new boss Philippe Montanier, although Burton grabbed a late third through Tom Naylor.

Substitute Grant Ward struck a debut hat-trick as Ipswich overcame promoted Barnsley 4-2 at Portman Road.

Ward's first two came either side of an equaliser from Conor Hourihane before a David McGoldrick penalty extended the lead.

Marley Watkins pulled one back for the visitors 16 minutes from time but Ward's third put the result beyond doubt.

Chelsea loanee Tammy Abraham and fellow substitute Bobby Reid struck in the closing minutes as Bristol City came from behind to beat promoted Wigan 2-1 Ashton Gate.

Abraham changed the game when he levelled after 81 minutes and Reid snatched victory with 90 on the clock.

Summer signing Alex Gilbey had given Gary Caldwell's Latics the lead after 32 minutes.

Nigel Pearson's reign as Derby manager began with a goalless draw against Brighton at the iPro Stadium while another new boss, Cardiff's Paul Trollope, saw his side held by the same scoreline at Birmingham.

Ten-man Wolves came from 2-0 down in Walter Zenga's first match in charge to claim a 2-2 draw at Rotherham.

Goals from Danny Ward and Will Vaulks inside the opening 20 minutes got Alan Stubbs' tenure with the Millers off to a flying start but George Saville pulled one back.

Wolves had Dominic Iorfa sent off early in the second half after a bad foul but new signing Jon Dadi Bodvarsson marked his debut with a 65th-minute equaliser.

Substitute Kasey Palmer hit a 79th-minute winner as Huddersfield beat Brentford 2-1 at the John Smith's Stadium.

Nico Yennaris had given Brentford hope of claiming a draw after cancelling out Elias Kachunga's opener just two minutes earlier.

John Swift's 35th-minute goal gave Reading a 1-0 win over Preston in Jaap Stam's first match as Royals manager.