A collection of images from the Championship’s opening weekend.
Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez
This weekend saw the Championship finally get underway giving fans their first taste of football following the long summer break.
This season is expected to be an exciting one to say the least, given the teams currently in the division.
The opening weekend certainly hinted at much to come with the 12 games producing 34 goals, 46 yellow cards and the solitary red for Dominic Iorfa.
Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Norwich City will all be looking to make an instant return to the Premier League after relegation last season.
They face competition though, as the likes of Derby County, Sheffield Wednesday and QPR also eye a place in the top flight.
Things did not get off to a good start for the Magpies or Villa as they suffered defeat, although Norwich made their return with bang, beating Blackburn Rovers 4-1.
Elsewhere, Leeds United were battered 3-0 by QPR while Derby and Brighton played out a boring 0-0 draw.
It was not a good weekend for the promoted teams, with Wigan beaten by Bristol City, Burton losing to Nottingham Forest and Barnsley falling to Ipswich.
Here is a collection of some of the best images that the Championship’s opening weekend had to offer.
Fulham’s Matt Smith scores their first goal against Newcastle
Fulham’s Matt Smith celebrates scoring their first goal against Newcastle with teammates
New Reading manager Jaap Stam
Nottingham Forest’s Oliver Burke celebrates scoring their third goal
New Nottingham Forest manager Philippe Montanier
Derby County’s Darren Bent has an attempt on goal
New Derby County manager Nigel Pearson
Steven Naismith of Norwich City celebrates scoring their fourth goal against Blackburn Rovers
New Blackburn Rovers manager Owen Coyle
QPR’s Nedum Onuoha celebrates with team mates after scoring their first goal against Leeds United
Leeds United’s Toumani Diagouraga looks dejected at the end of the loss to QPR
Sheffield Wednesday manager Carlos Carvalhal with new Aston Villa manager Roberto Di Matteo (R)
Sheffield Wednesday’s Fernando Forestieri celebrates with team mates after scoring against Aston Villa
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