Steven Gerrard bemoaned “glaringly obvious” failings after Aston Villa suffered a limp 2-0 loss in their Premier League opener at newly-promoted Bournemouth.Villa struggled to respond to falling behind to Jefferson Lerma’s second-minute goal at the Vitality Stadium and rarely threatened an equaliser before Kieffer Moore’s late header sealed victory for the Cherries.Gerrar...Full Story »

Leyton Orient head coach Richie Wellens called his side “a work in progress” after a superb strike from defender Tom James at Crawley gave the O’s their second successive league victory.James, who scored Orient’s second goal in the opening 2-0 win over Grimsby with another screamer, settled the issue five minutes after the break to delight Wellens and 800 travelling fans....Full Story »

Former Newport manager Michael Flynn alleged that home fans threw stones at him and insulted his wife as his Walsall team claimed a 1-0 win at Rodney Parade.A Mickey Demetriou own goal midway through the second half was enough to give the Saddlers all three points and maintain their 100 per cent start to the season.But Flynn’s return to south Wales, where he was in charge for four-and-a-ha...Full Story »

Scunthorpe tasted victory on their first National League outing as goals from Andrew Boyce and Jacob Butterfield earned them a 2-1 win against Yeovil.Alfie Beestin had already seen two shots saved by Glovers goalkeeper Grant Smith when Boyce broke the deadlock in the 26th minute.Mason O’Malley crossed from the left for defender Boyce to power home a header.O’Malley was denied before ...Full Story »

Airdrieonians and Dunfermline top cinch League One after wrapping up their second successive victories.Calum Gallagher (two), Gabby McGill and substitute Salim Kouider-Aissa were on target as Airdrieonians brushed aside Falkirk 4-0 at Excelsior Stadium.Lewis McCann (two) and Chris Mochrie were on target for the Pars in their 3-0 win at Edinburgh. McCann also had a penalty saved by Robbie Mutch i...Full Story »

Neil Harris described Gillingham’s 1-0 win against Rochdale as the best performance of his seven-month reign so far.Scott Kashket scored the only goal of the game as the Gills, who were relegated from Sky Bet League One last season, claimed their first victory at Priestfield on a Saturday since August 2021.Gillingham opened their League Two account with a 2-0 defeat at AFC Wimbledon and Ha...Full Story »

Bolton boss Ian Evatt refused to get carried away after two-goal Kyle Dempsey inspired Bolton to an impressive 3-0 win over last season’s Sky Bet League One play-off finalists Wycombe.Dempsey struck a brace for the first time in eight years – his goals sandwiching Aaron Morley’s 41st minute effort.“It was a good performance and three points, but that’s all it is,&rd...Full Story »

Swindon manager Scott Lindsey hailed the fight of his players after securing a 0-0 draw at home to Salford despite playing the whole second half with 10 men.Harry McKirdy was sent off just before half-time after picking up a second yellow card but Town held on to claim their first point of the season.Lindsey said: “I don’t think I’ve ever worked so hard for one point if I&rsquo...Full Story »

Bonnyrigg Rose continued their flying start to life in the Scottish Football League with a 3-0 win at East Fife.The newcomers are top of cinch League Two after two games, scoring five goals without reply.Neil Martyniuk’s penalty set them on their way at Bayview and Dean Brett quickly made it 2-0, which was how it remained at half-time.Kevin Smith followed up his goal against Forfar last we...Full Story »

Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna insisted he wants more from his side after they overcome plucky Sky Bet League One newcomers Forest Green.Goals in the first half from Marcus Harness and Sam Morsy handed McKenna’s Tractor Boys their first win of the season.Ian Burchnall’s Rovers improved after the break, substitute Josh March pulling a goal back in the 65th minute on a sun-kissed afternoo...Full Story »

Simon Weaver was disappointed by his players’ defending at set-pieces as Harrogate fell off the tracks in a 3-0 defeat at Crewe.Two headed finishes from Dan Agyei and Kelvin Mellor, both from corners, in the closing minutes of the first half, ensured the Railwaymen got a firm grip on the game.Despite rallying in the second half, Weaver’s side only managed to trouble Crewe keeper Arth...Full Story »

Accrington boss John Coleman praised the character of his battling side as they beat 10-man Shrewsbury 1-0 in Sky Bet League One.Midfielder Tommy Leigh’s 77th-minute header proved the difference between the two sides as Stanley made their one-man advantage pay.Tom Flanagan was sent off in the 57th minute for a second yellow card which ultimately cost the home side dear.Moments earlier the ...Full Story »

Motherwell interim manager Steven Hammell admitted it was a hard one to take as his side conceded a last-minute goal from Stevie May as they lost 2-1 to St Johnstone at Fir Park.The manner of the defeat was particularly sore for the hosts given they had got themselves level only moments earlier, as Sean Goss’ deep corner found its way over the line after touches from Sondre Solholm and Gra...Full Story »

The contributions of strikers Ellis Simms and Ross Stewart delighted Sunderland boss Alex Neil as his newly-promoted side took three deserved points from a 3-2 win at Ashton Gate.Everton loanee Simms marked his debut by shooting the visitors in front inside four minutes and fired a second to equalise after goals from Andreas Weimann and Chris Martin had put City in front.Stewart headed the winne...Full Story »

Reading manager Paul Ince praised son Tom for his “wonder goal” in the 2-1 Sky Bet Championship victory over Cardiff at the SCL Stadium.The Bluebirds had gone in front after just four minutes when Callum O’Dowda nodded home a free-kick from Ryan Wintle.Shane Long levelled from the penalty spot shortly before the half-hour with his first goal for the club in 11 years.The 35-year...Full Story »

Antonio Conte was delighted with Tottenham’s style during their opening-day 4-1 win over Southampton and warned his new signings they must fight to earn a place in his starting line-up.A busy summer for Spurs where they brought in six players increased the optimism and excitement around N17 before kick-off, but James Ward-Prowse’s 12th-minute opener for the visitors threatened to spo...Full Story »

Middlesbrough boss Chris Wilder felt his side’s 3-2 defeat at QPR showed they should not be regarded as promotion contenders.Boro were three down at Loftus Road before mounting a fightback.Wilder believes the squad needs to be strengthened before a promotion challenge can be sustained.“We’re all trying. It’s just such a difficult market to deal in. We’re all trying ...Full Story »

Portsmouth manager Danny Cowley revealed a stomach bug had ripped through his squad before their 0-0 draw at home to former side Lincoln.A dull game produced very little goalmouth excitement in front of a crowd of almost 18,000 at a sun-baked Fratton Park.Cowley said: “The positives of the match was the attitude and application of the players.“We’ve kept a clean sheet and I don...Full Story »

Gary McSheffrey conceded that Doncaster “got away with one” after a dramatic finish saw his side snatch victory against Sutton.Rovers trailed until stoppage time at the end of the game after Donovan Wilson had given the visitors an early lead.But George Miller headed home an equaliser in the second minute of time added on and substitute Kieran Agard fired a winner 90 seconds later.&l...Full Story »

New Blackburn boss Jon Dahl Tomasson praised his side for sticking to the game plan in their 3-0 victory at Swansea that took them to the top of the Sky Bet Championship table.Goals from new signing Sam Szmodics in the first half and Ben Brereton Diaz and skipper Lewis Travis after the break backed up the opening-day win over QPR to give Rovers the perfect start to the season.“The performa...Full Story »