Summary

  • Swansea City come from behind to beat Sheffield United 2-1

  • West Brom beaten 2-1 at home by Bolton

  • Middlesbrough come from 2-0 down to draw at Millwall

  • Brentford hammer Rotherham 5-1, Wigan beat Sheffield Wednesday 3-2

  1. Cooking up a stormpublished at 14:51 British Summer Time 4 August 2018

    Wigan Athletic v Sheffield Wednesday (15:00 BST)

    Paul CookImage source, Getty Images

    Wigan are one of three clubs making their Championship returns after a season away - but they'll have a notable debutant in the dugout.

    Lactics boss Paul Cook will take charge of a Championship game for the first time as his side host Sheffield Wednesday this afternoon.

    But his overall track record is pretty impressive: since he took charge of his first EFL match as manager of Accrington Stanley in February 2012, he's won just the 140 EFL matches (excluding play-offs).

    Only Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has won more - a paltry 142.

    Wigan have yo-yoed between the divisions over the past few seasons, relegated to League One in 2016-17 after gaining promotion to the second tier the year prior.

    They bounced straight back last season, but will be hoping to emulate Wilder's side, who finished 10th as a newly-promoted side last season.

  2. Pulis and Millwall have... historypublished at 14:50 British Summer Time 4 August 2018

    Millwall v Middlesbrough (15:00 BST)

    Tony Pulis MiddlesbroughImage source, Getty Images

    After exchanging Garry Monk for Tony Pulis last December in what was one of the more striking Boxing Day sales swaps, Middlesbrough's search for promotion fell short at the penultimate hurdle when they were beaten in the play-off semi-finals by Aston Villa.

    But they've spent big this summer as they look to secure a return to the Premier League, and as history goes, the portents are favourable: Middlesbrough have faced Millwall on the opening day of two previous occasions, in 1987-88 and 1991-92. And guess what? Both of those seasons ended with Boro promotions.

    Pulis has lost just one of his last nine matches against Millwall, his last defeat coming as Stoke City boss in April 2003.

    Millwall won 3-1 that day, and who scored their opening goal? Lions boss Neil Harris, obviously.

  3. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 14:49 British Summer Time 4 August 2018

    #bbcefl

    Darren MooreImage source, Reuters

    Chad Smith: New season, new players, new manager, new competition and a new beginning. Go my Albion and a big good luck to Darren Moore who deserves every success.

  4. We meet again!published at 14:48 British Summer Time 4 August 2018

    West Brom v Bolton (15:00 BST)

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  5. Can the Baggies boing back at the first attempt?published at 14:47 British Summer Time 4 August 2018

    West Brom v Bolton (15:00 BST)

    West Brom fansImage source, Getty Images

    As West Bromwich Albion return to the second tier for the first time in eight years, our BBC reporters (one of which are writing this page right now!) feel it'll be the play-offs for the Baggies this term.

    Albion, who bounced back at the first attempt in 2010 under Roberto Di Matteo, are predicted to finish fourth by our panel of 23, with only two three thinking they will go up automatically (one thinks they'll win the title.)

    So can the Baggies boing straight back, or will they have a play-off battle to contend with?

    Let us know how you think they will fare using #bbcefl on social media. Darren Moore's side start the new season at home to Bolton (who are tipped for relegation) at 15:00 BST.

  6. How many new EFL bosses can you name?published at 14:45 British Summer Time 4 August 2018

    Bielsa and LampardImage source, Getty Images

    It's been a busy summer of managerial comings and goings across the EFL, but how many of them can you remember?

    Here's your chance to test your wits and see how many of the 21 appointments you can name in four minutes in our new EFL managers quiz.

    I managed a reasonable 17 when I had a go earlier in the week...

  7. Postpublished at 14:43 British Summer Time 4 August 2018

    My word! What an end to that game to kick-off the afternoon and brilliantly delivered Katie.

    Two games down, two injury-time stunning headers to win games. What else have we got in store then?

    The answer - 31 matches across the Championship, League One and League Two all kicking-off in just over 15 minutes.

  8. Match reactionpublished at 14:42 British Summer Time 4 August 2018

    FT: Sunderland 2-1 Charlton

    Sunderland manager Jack Ross told Sky Sports: "It's a fantastic feeling, particularly, I think, in this stadium, with what's gone on in recent times.

    "Hopefully it will be a sea change for us, but it was a tough game. We had to hang on but we deserved it.

    "I think their shape caught us by surprise a little bit because it was something they've not done often. I thought we finished the first half on top and I was keen to get two strikers on the pitch.

    "It's a small step forward for us. There's a long way to go, but I thought the fans were incredibly positive throughout the game, even when we were a goal down.

    "There's a perception that every game in this league should be easy for us but that's far from the case - but the supporters can go home happy tonight."

  9. Match reactionpublished at 14:38 British Summer Time 4 August 2018

    FT: Sunderland 2-1 Charlton

    Sunderland's Chris Maguire told Sky Sports: "We were a bit harshly-done by going in behind.

    "The gaffer changed the system and I think you saw at the end that there was only one team who would go on to win it.

    "We were confident in pre-season about how we've worked and we were confident if we got a goal we could go on and win the game."

  10. Match reactionpublished at 14:36 British Summer Time 4 August 2018

    FT: Sunderland 2-1 Charlton

    Sunderland match-winner Lynden Gooch told Sky Sports: "The club's gone through a rough time in the last few years.

    "I've been here a long time, and this means a lot to everyone.

    "The manager has come in, been confident with everyone and has changed the mood, and you can see that today.

    "This is a Premier League club."

  11. Postpublished at 14:31 British Summer Time 4 August 2018

    FT: Sunderland 2-1 Charlton

    Reaction on the way shortly...

  12. FULL-TIMEpublished at 14:29 British Summer Time 4 August 2018

    Sunderland 2-1 Charlton

    Sunderland v CharltonImage source, PA

    All over! Sunderland win!

    An unbelievable finish, with a 96th-minute winner giving the Black Cats a winning start to the League One season.

  13. goal

    GOAL: Sunderland 2-1 Charltonpublished at 90+6 mins

    Lynden Gooch

    Lynden Gooch - wow!

    Two EFL games, two late goals to decide the result - flashbacks to Reading v Derby from last night!

    It's a sublime delivery from 30 yards from Bryan Oviedo to pick out Gooch, and he launches into a diving header, Robin Van Persie-style, to send Sunderland into raptures.

  14. Postpublished at 90+4 mins

    Sunderland 1-1 Charlton

    The first Sunderland corner is dealt with ably, but a part of you wonders if the Charlton dam could be about to break as Sunderland win another.

  15. Postpublished at 90+3 mins

    Sunderland 1-1 Charlton

    Durham-born Luke Molyneux replaces Jerome Sinclair as Sunderland probe for a winner. The momentum is with them after Charlton dominated the first half, and their new arrival forces a corner.

  16. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 90+1 mins

    #bbcefl

    Jonnets: Charlton - it's like watching Brazil. Great kit!

    I mean, it was like watching Brazil in more ways than one in the first half, but Sunderland have wrested control of this and a point would be a fair result, I think.

  17. Postpublished at 90 mins

    Sunderland 1-1 Charlton

    A big six added minutes ahead...

  18. Championship team news headlinespublished at 14:22 British Summer Time 4 August 2018

    More team news before the 15:00 BST games in the Championship...

    Millwall manager Neil Harris names both new signings Ben Amos and Murray Wallace on the bench as Aden Flint makes his Middlesbrough debut after the switch from Bristol City.

    Andrew Hughes makes his Preston debut as new QPR boss Steve McLaren hands the captain’s armband to his only new signing Toni Leistner.

    Darren Moore gives former Manchester United keeper Sam Johnstone a first start for West Brom along with centre-back Kyle Bartley. Bolton manager Phil Parkinson hands new right-back Pawel Olkowski a debut.

    Paul Cook names new Wigan signings Darron Gibson, Antonee Robinson and Cedric Kipre in his starting XI yet it’s a familiar look for Sheffield Wednesday as they are yet to add to their squad this summer.

  19. Postpublished at 88 mins

    Sunderland 1-1 Charlton

    Naby Sarr replaces the injured Jason Pearce, who leaves the field on a stretcher.

    This Charlton team don't need any more injuries - but it might not be as bad as first feared.

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  20. Postpublished at 85 mins

    Sunderland 1-1 Charlton

    Sunderland's Lynden Gooch has been causing mayhem down the left flank and drew Lewis Page into a yellow in the first half.

    But you have to avert your eyes as he snaps into a tangle of legs with Charlton skipper Jason Pearce.

    Pearce looks in real distress - he's made a big sacrifice in stopping Gooch's cross - and the stretcher is being readied...