The (Real) Championship: Nottingham Forest Go Top
Welcome back to The (Real) Championship, a wrap up of the action in England’s second, less famous, more glorious division.
On a recent episode of a podcast I listen to, the journalists on it were saying how it’s interesting that league tables are put out after the first game of the season now-a-days, when the Football League used to wait until three games had been played. Well, now three games have been played, and the table doesn’t look any less murky.
Nottingham Forest, Cardiff City, Millwall and Charlton Athletic are all joint top, with 7 points, with Forest in the lead not on goal differential, but on goals scored. I mean, what sort of a table is it when goals scored separates first from second? Seriously.
Forest beat former leaders AFC Bournemouth 2-1 to take the top spot. Bournemouth dominated the game, and new signing Callum Wilson scored in the 58th mintue, following poor communication between the Forest backline. Forest goalie Karl Darlow failed to pounce on a loose ball 8 yards out of goal, and collided with midfielder Chris Burke. The ball fell to Wilson, who had created the chaos, and the English forward didn’t miss his chance. The mishap would be the back line’s, and Darlow’s, only over the course of the game. Forest fans even voted Darlow man of the match of his heroic efforts.
Nottingham, who won European Cups in 1979 and 80 under legendary manager Brian Clough, drew even in the 67th minute through Britt Assombalonga. Forest had won a free kick on the side of the box, and Andy Reid sent the ball in. Assombalonga was able to get enough space from his marker to rise up and head the ball into the bottom of the net.
Karl Darlow was voted Man of the Match by Forest fans for his heroics against league leaders Bournemouth.
Just five minutes later, Forest picked up the shock win, off a Matty Fryatt header. Jack Hunt fought past several Bournemouth defenders, and got to the goal line, just outside the box. With defenders still tight to him, Hunt was forced off balance, and had to lob a cross to the back post. Fryatt rose higher than Steve Cook, and headed the ball straight down, into the net.
Forest finished 11th last season, and will look to return to the Premier League. Under Brian Clough, Nottingham was one of England’s best clubs, winning two European Cups, a League Title, and staying in the top flight for 16 straight years. In the 90s, the club bounced between the first and second division, but since 1999 have failed to make it back to the top.
Cardiff also continued their good form on Tuesday, beating Wigan 1-0. In the 53rd minute, Peter Whittingham took a short corner, with Fabio getting the ball just outside the box. The Brazilian full back lofted a cross to the back post, where Sean Morrison headed the ball back into the box. Kenwyne Jones headed the ball back down, into the path of Nicky Maynard. The former Wigan forward touched the ball into the back of the net, from 3 yards out.
Nicky Maynard won the game for Cardiff Tuesday against Wigan. Cardiff is second in the league, behind Forest only on goal difference.
Cardiff are among the favorites to be promoted. They were absolutely dismal last season in the Premier League, but their good early form has impressed many. While owner Vincent Tan hasn’t changed at all, and the club now being brought into the Malky Mackay scandal, the team is still playing great. The full backs, Fabio and John Brayford, have been fantastic, making great runs down the wing and setting up goal after goal.
Another promotion favorite, Derby County, lost 3-2 to Charlton Athletic. Derby, who almost made it to the Premier League last season, started the season strong, with a win and a draw. However, the wheels came off Tuesday, when the Rams fell to Charlton, who finished 18th in the Championship last season. Charlton looked much better, and opened the scoring in the 11th minute through George Tucudean. Derby had to withstand an early storm from Charlton, but once they got past it, the Rams looked to equalize. Jamie Ward did just that in the 31st minute, hitting the ball into the upper corner of the net.
Then Athletic took control of the game. Tucudean won a penalty in first half stoppage time, which Yoni Buyens put away coolly. Charlton extended their lead in the 78th minute, when Igor Vetokele headed a cross into an open net. The ball had been touched on beautifully by Johann Berg Gudmundsson. Derby was able to pull on back, just a few minutes later, when Ward scored again. Really, Nick Pope, the Athletic goalkeeper, should have done better, the ball slipping between his hand and legs.
Steve McClaren and Derby County lost to Charlton Athletic Tuesday, for the first time this campaign. The Rams weren’t strong enough defensively to overcome strong Athletic pressure.
Fulham continued their dismal run, losing again, this time 1-0 to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Felix Magath started new signing Ross McCormack, and also featured young players Patrick Roberts and Moussa Dembele. The London side have started life in the second division horribly, winning none of their first three games. This leaves Fulham second to last, separated from Blackpool only on goal difference. Magath is already feeling pressure, and the heat will get greater as the season wears on, and Fulham continue to struggle.
At the end of the weekend, I reminded all of the readers that the table doesn’t clear up until November and December. Teams like Charlton and Millwall probably won’t still be in the top six then, but you never know. However, here are the top six (aka promotion) spots. The full table can be found here, and full scores for the midweek found here.
- Nottingham Forest: 7 pts, GD +3
- Cardiff City: 7 pts, GD +3
- Millwall: 7 pts, GD +3
- Charlton Athletic: 7 pts, GD +2
- Bournemouth: 6 pts, GD +6
- Norwich City: 6 pts, GD +6
That’s all for this round. Check back next week, for a wrap up of the Championship, and who you will, and won’t, see in the Premier League next season. You can follow me, James Sutherland, on twitter @thepitchview, and don’t forget to follow We Are Hooligans, @WeRHooligansFS.