Evans marks his return to football with late equaliser
Ched Evans scored on his return to football as Chesterfield drew 1-1 at Oxford United.
The former Sheffield United striker was making his first appearance for his new club since his conviction for rape was overturned on appeal in April, and he equalised with a free-kick from 30 yards out with 14 minutes remaining.
That secured a point for Chesterfield and manager Danny Wilson believes Evans – who had not played a Football League match in four years – will continue to improve. “Everybody was nervous today, I was nervous,” he said. “Ched had two good chances before his goal, he was just a little ring-rusty. Possibly halfway through the season he might have buried them but he always comes up. I was saying to [first-team coach] Chris Morgan we had to keep him on because he’ll score.
“He’s not played that many minutes and sometimes you think it’s right to give him a rest but we know he’s going to score if he gets a chance. That’s what you want, that threat.”
Norwich made a great start to life back in the Championship as they won 4-1 at Blackburn. Alex Neil’s side scored three goals in 13 minutes through Jacob Murphy, Wes Hoolahan and Cameron Jerome, with Steven Naismith making it four before Anthony Stokes headed a consolation.
It was also a day to remember for Grant Ward, who scored a hat-trick on
his Ipswich debut despite only being a half-time substitute. It took Ward, who signed from Tottenham last week, just 30 seconds to open the scoring against Barnsley with a low drive, and he added two more in a comfortable 4-2 win at Portman Road.
The game of the day came at the City Ground, where Nottingham Forest beat Burton Albion 4-3 in a see-saw battle. Burton came from behind to take the lead on their Championship debut but two goals from Britt Assomobalonga on his first start in 18 months proved decisive.
Derby and Brighton are both expected to be among the promotion chasers but they shared a dull goalless draw. Millwall were the big winners in League One as they beat Oldham 3-0, while in League Two Luton Town have taken an early lead at the top of the table after winning 3-0 at Plymouth.