Charlton Take Championship Lead as Southampton Put Five Past Millwall

Charlton moved to the top of the Championship after Karlan Grant scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Preston, leaving the London club as the division’s only team with a perfect record after three matches. The Guardian reported that Grant’s winner was his first Charlton goal since returning on a free transfer from West Bromwich Albion.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kPoiKcDbsg

The three-win opening is Charlton’s best start to a second-tier season since the 1992-93 campaign. Manager Nathan Jones played down any early promotion discussion, emphasizing that only three games have been completed. Charlton have nine points and are scheduled to face Grant’s former club West Brom on Wednesday. Preston, by contrast, remain among the sides struggling in the opening weeks.

Millwall began the day with a perfect record and took an early lead at Southampton through Mark Sykes, but the advantage did not last. Southampton responded with five goals: Cyle Larin scored twice, Finn Azaz converted from close range, Leo Scienza struck from the penalty spot and Tom Fellows registered his first goal for the club. The 5-1 victory also erased Southampton’s four-point deduction from the standings.

Wolves remained unbeaten and climbed to second by recovering from Sam Gallagher’s second-minute goal to defeat Stoke 4-1 at Molineux. Rodrigo Gomes scored twice in three first-half minutes, Raúl Jiménez added a penalty after the break and Jordan James completed the scoring on his home debut. Swansea also stayed unbeaten, winning 3-0 at Derby through goals from Joseph Opoku, Eom Ji-sung and Ronald to reach seven points.

Norwich earned their first league victory of the season with a 4-1 home win over Burnley. Mo Touré and Andre Brooks each scored twice after Norwich struck two goals inside the opening five minutes. Josh Laurent supplied Burnley’s consolation before being sent off for a second booking late in the match. Middlesbrough beat West Brom 3-1 as Will Lankshear scored twice, taking his total to six goals in five games since joining from Tottenham.

Elsewhere, Lincoln recorded their first second-tier victory in 65 years by winning 1-0 at previously unbeaten Bolton. Ben House scored in the 66th minute to secure Lincoln’s first win at this level since April 1961. Cardiff and Sheffield United remained winless following a 2-2 draw, while West Ham were held 1-1 at Watford and Queens Park Rangers came from behind to win 2-1 at Blackburn.