Unhappy return to Championship for Palace - round-up

Crystal Palace endured a torrid return to the Coca-Cola Championship as Luton claimed a notable opening-day victory at Selhurst Park.

The Eagles, relegated from the Barclays Premiership in May, were deservedly beaten 2-1 by the League One champions.

England striker Andrew Johnson, fresh from signing a new five-year contract at Selhurst Park, looked to have rescued a point for the Eagles when he cancelled out Steve Howard’s opening goal, but Ahmet Brkovic earned maximum points for the visitors late on.

Luton’s Kevin Nicholls missed a penalty before Howard rocked Palace by heading the Hatters ahead a minute before half-time, but Johnson then struck from close range after 52 minutes.

Johnson has been assured his England chances will not be affected by staying with Palace and Iain Dowie was indebted to the former Birmingham man, but there was to be a twist, and Brkovic provided it by tucking home a close-range chance in the 79th minute.

Norwich avoided such a shock but had to settle for a point at home against Coventry.

Dean Ashton, who made such an impact after his January arrival from Crewe that Norwich almost escaped relegation from the Barclays Premiership, put the Canaries ahead after 21 minutes.

But Dele Adebola levelled up for the Sky Blues in the 65th minute as the points were shared in a 1-1 draw at Carrow Road.

Sheffield United got off to a winning start in the first game of the Championship season, their lunchtime kick-off against Leicester.

Despite going into the final 10 minutes level at 1-1, Neil Warnock’s Blades finished up 4-1 winners, thanks to substitute Steve Kabba’s penalty and further goals from Paul Ifill and Leigh Bromby.

An Andy Gray penalty had put the Blades ahead after 34 minutes, but David Connolly levelled up for the Foxes five minutes after half-time with a shot which deflected in off Jon Harley.

New signing Nicky Forster was Ipswich’s match-winner at Portman Road as Cardiff returned to Wales empty-handed.

The former Reading striker turned home Darren Currie’s free-kick after 64 minutes to earn the Tractor Boys, who lost Darren Bent to Charlton and Shefki Kuqi to Blackburn in the summer, a 1-0 win.

The Royals missed Forster as they slumped to a 2-1 home defeat against Plymouth.

Veteran Micky Evans put Bobby Williamson’s side ahead after 21 minutes, and although Reading’s record £1million signing Leroy Lita equalised in the 54th minute, substitute Nick Chadwick stole in in the first minute of injury time to earn maximum points for the Pilgrims.

Crewe won 2-1 at home against Burnley, with midfielder David Vaughan deciding the outcome late on.

Billy Jones and Gifton Noel-Williams exchanged goals, but with time running out a draw seemed likely. However, Vaughan had other ideas and found the net from 20 yards in the 89th minute.

Hull’s return to the Championship proved mildly disappointing – a goalless home draw against QPR – while fellow new boys Sheffield Wednesday were also held 0-0 at Stoke, who had Gerry Taggart sent off after 13 minutes for a professional foul on Leon Best.

Derby and Brighton drew 1-1 at Pride Park, after early goals from Dean Hammond and Paul Peschisolido, while Preston’s season began on a winning note – the Lilywhites prevailing 2-1 at Watford.

New Hornets strikers Darius Henderson marked his debut with a ninth-minute headed goal, but Preston’s highly-rated young frontman David Nugent levelled after 22 minutes and Dickson Etuhu notched the winner eight minutes before the break.