Summary

  • Bournemouth and Norwich won on their return to the Championship after being relegated last season

  • Birmingham and Rotherham registered 1-0 wins over Brentford and Wycombe respectively in early Championship kick-offs

  • Harrogate win 4-0 at Southend on EFL debut, fellow newcomers Barrow held at home by Stevenage

  1. Thanks for being with uspublished at 17:14 British Summer Time 12 September 2020

    Well then, an eventful opening Saturday of the new EFL season.

    Just the one draw in the Championship this afternoon is one thing to catch the eye for sure in a division a lot of us are expecting to be tight and tense this season.

    Don't forget - you can keep across all the rest of this weekend's football action on BBC Sport right here.

    Plenty still to come this evening no less from both the Premier League and the Women's Super League.

    We'll also be back with more from the EFL from next Friday evening. Until then, thanks for being with us.

  2. Postpublished at 17:09 British Summer Time 12 September 2020

    Right then, let's see what those results have done to the league tables....

    Only kidding.

  3. League Two full-time headlinespublished at 17:08 British Summer Time 12 September 2020

    Harrogate celebrateImage source, PA Media
    • Harrogate make a brilliant start to life in League Two, beating Southend 4-0 at Roots Hall.
    • Fellow newcomers Barrow, managed by former Blackburn and England midfielder David Dunn, drew 1-1 at home against Stevenage.
    • Bolton were beaten 1-0 at home by Forest Green, while Morecambe came from behind to beat Cheltenham.
    • Ian Holloway's Grimsby lost 1-0 at Walsall.
  4. League One full-time headlinespublished at 17:06 British Summer Time 12 September 2020

    Sunderland celebrateImage source, Rex Features
    • League Two champions Swindon Town make the perfect start to life back in the third tier, beating Rochdale 3-1 at home.
    • Charlton and Hull, both relegated from the Championship last season, record 2-0 wins at Crewe and Gillingham respectively.
    • Last season's beaten play-off finalists Oxford lose 2-0 at Lincoln as the U's finish with 10 men.
    • Chris Maguire salvages a point for Sunderland with a late strike against Bristol Rovers.
  5. Championship full-time headlinespublished at 17:03 British Summer Time 12 September 2020

    Sheffield Wednesday celebrateImage source, Rex Features
    • Bournemouth and Norwich make winning returns to the Championship against Blackburn and Huddersfield respectively.
    • Last season's play-off semi-finalists Cardiff City are beaten at home by Sheffield Wednesday, who chip away at their 12-point deficit at the first time of asking.
    • Reading start life under new manager Veljko Paunovic with an impressive 2-0 win at Derby County.
    • Elsewhere there are wins for Birmingham, Rotherham, Swansea, QPR, Bristol City and Luton Town.
  6. Postpublished at 17:01 British Summer Time 12 September 2020

    Phew - we've forgotten how busy it can be with plenty of games in three different divisions to keep across!

    Let's recap today's main headlines in the EFL, starting in the Championship...

  7. FULL-TIMEpublished at 16:59 British Summer Time 12 September 2020

    QPR 2-0 Nottingham Forest

    And that's it - an opening-day win for QPR.

  8. goal

    GOAL: QPR 2-0 Nottingham Forestpublished at 16:56 British Summer Time 12 September 2020

    Ilias Chair (90+4 mins)

    That's the game for QPR.

    Ilias Chair puts away Lyndon Dykes' rebounded effort which was initially saved.

  9. FULL-TIMEpublished at 16:56 British Summer Time 12 September 2020

    Huddersfield 0-1 Norwich

    Norwich celebrateImage source, PA Media

    Adam Idah's late strike gives Norwich victory in their first match back in the second tier after relegation from the Premier League.

  10. CLOSE!published at 16:55 British Summer Time 12 September 2020

    QPR 1-0 Nottingham Forest

    Lewis Grabban again for Forest.

    He cuts inside and unleashes an effort but it goes just wide.

  11. FULL-TIMEpublished at 16:55 British Summer Time 12 September 2020

    Cardiff 0-2 Sheff Wed

    First-half goals from Josh Windass and Jordan Rhodes give the Owls an opening-day win.

    Wednesday move onto -9 points after their 12-point deduction for breaching EFL spending rules.

  12. FULL-TIMEpublished at 16:55 British Summer Time 12 September 2020

    Barnsley 0-1 Luton Town

    James Collins' thundering strike the difference between these two.

    Barnsley had their chances to draw level, but couldn't keep their composure.

  13. FULL-TIMEpublished at 16:54 British Summer Time 12 September 2020

    Bristol City 2-1 Coventry

    Tomas Kalas' header gives Dean Holden victory in his first league match since being confirmed as Bristol City's full-time head coach.

    Coventry are beaten on their return to the Championship after eight years away.

  14. FULL-TIMEpublished at 16:53 British Summer Time 12 September 2020

    Bournemouth 3-2 Blackburn Rovers

    Bournemouth celebrateImage source, PA Media

    Bournemouth begin life back in the Championship by edging out Blackburn in an entertaining match.

    They had to take the lead three times after Blackburn twice pegged them back.

  15. FULL-TIMEpublished at 16:53 British Summer Time 12 September 2020

    Preston 0-1 Swansea

    Morgan Gibbs-White scores the first goal of his loan spell from Wolves to give Swansea all three points at Deepdale.

  16. FULL-TIMEpublished at 16:53 British Summer Time 12 September 2020

    Derby County 0-2 Reading

    Reading and new boss Velkjo Paunovic begin life together with an impressive win at Derby.

    Lucas Joao and Ovie Ejaria with the goals for the Royals in the first half.

  17. FULL-TIMEpublished at 16:52 British Summer Time 12 September 2020

    Millwall 0-0 Stoke

    Millwall v StokeImage source, PA Media

    Not many chances and it ends as a goalless draw at The Den.

  18. YELLOW CARDpublished at 16:51 British Summer Time 12 September 2020

    Millwall 0-0 Stoke

    Stoke sub Jacob Brown is booked for simulation inside the Millwall box.

    Three additional minutes added on.

  19. Postpublished at 16:49 British Summer Time 12 September 2020

    Bournemouth 3-2 Blackburn Rovers

    Into stoppage time at the Vitality Stadium.

    Are Bournemouth going to start with a victory under Jason Tindall?

  20. goal

    GOAL: Barrow 1-1 Stevenagepublished at 16:48 British Summer Time 12 September 2020

    Inih Effiong pen (85 mins)

    Late disappointment for Barrow on their return to the fourth tier after 48 years away.

    They give away a clumsy penalty and Inih Effiong converts calmly for Stevenage.

    Stevenage scoreImage source, Rex Features