CHAMPIONSHIP

WEEKEND ROUND-UP

FULHAM lost for the first time this season as BLACKPOOL turned the Championship table upside down. Josh Bowler, a former youth team player at Craven Cottage, broke through to poke home the winner four minutes into the second half. The 1-0 success was the first win of Blackpool’s Championship return and their first victory in the second tier since January 31, 2015. ‘This group of players surprise me sometimes,’ said manager Neil Critchley. ‘If you can’t take confidence from beating Fulham then we’re doing something wrong.’ That result allowed WEST BROM to snatch top spot despite being held 1-1 at home by MILLWALL. The Baggies remain unbeaten in their first six league games under Valerien Ismael but couldn’t hold out after Kyle Bartley headed them ahead just after half-time. Millwall punished them when Arsenal loanee Dan Ballard equalised. ‘We have to be more ruthless in our back line — that was our strength in the first five games so we need to get back to that and dominate our opponent,’ said Ismael. STOKE’S strong opening to the season continued with a 2-1 home win over HUDDERSFIELD. Harry Toffolo gave the visitors the lead just after the break but Jacob Brown headed Stoke level shortly afterwards. Matty Pearson diverted Mario Vrancic’s cross into his own net to settle it. BOURNEMOUTH are still undefeated and they underlined their promotion credentials with a 3-0 win over BARNSLEY.