Tairyk Arconte scored his first two goals for Millwall as they beat 10-man Norwich 3-0, making it two wins from two this season. Norwich, tipped to challenge for the playoffs, have lost both opening games and had defender José Córdoba sent off in the second half at The Den.
Arconte double seals Millwall win
Millwall were rewarded for a lively start in the 18th minute when Mark Sykes’s ball found Josh Coburn, whose shot was pushed out by Vladan Kovacevic for Arconte to tap in the rebound on his home debut.
Millwall went 2-0 ahead after 58 minutes when Zak Sturge’s ball into the box was headed back by Jake Cooper for Arconte to steer a volley into the bottom corner. Norwich’s afternoon worsened in the 64th minute when Córdoba was sent off for a second yellow card after bundling over Arconte as he charged towards the area.
Victory was sealed with six minutes remaining when a counterattack ended with Luke Cundle sliding in Millwall’s third.
Millwall manager Alex Neil said: “I thought it was a complete performance from us, probably the most complete performance we’ve had in the nearly 20 months I’ve been here. We were the best team from minute one to the last minute.”
Philippe Clement, whose side have lost their first two league games, said: “In the first half we were bullied. We didn’t win duels, second balls. When they pressed us, we were not brave enough on the ball.”
Portsmouth claim first league win
Portsmouth claimed their first win of the season with a 3-1 success at Lincoln. After losing their first two games by the same scoreline, Portsmouth went ahead through a seventh-minute goal from Ryan Kavuma-McQueen.
Adrian Segecic doubled the lead nine minutes later before Reeco Hackett-Fairchild pulled one back from the spot just past the half-hour mark. Substitute Ebrima Adams made the game safe with a strike after 69 minutes, leaving Lincoln still searching for their first win back in the second tier for more than 60 years.
Portsmouth manager John Mousinho said: “There were two aspects I was pleased with – we stood up to Lincoln’s physical threat pretty well for the most part and then when we settled down and played, we broke through the lines well and had a real attacking threat.”
Lincoln joint head coach Tom Shaw said: “After a good start, the first goal knocked the wind out of our sails. I was pleased with how we responded, but the second half just petered out a bit.”
Late penalty rescues Birmingham
Demarai Gray rescued a point for Birmingham with a late penalty in a 2-2 draw at home to Bristol City. Scott Twine’s 33rd-minute effort gave the visitors the advantage before Carlos Vicente equalised in the 42nd minute.
Dom Ballard converted Rio Cardines’s cross with a flick with his back to goal after 85 minutes to restore Bristol City’s lead, but they could not hold on. Jhon Solis had an 88th-minute equaliser ruled out for offside.
Birmingham manager Chris Davies said: “I was furious and in disbelief to have that goal disallowed for some involvement on the goalkeeper. I just don’t see it and I don’t think they even appealed for it.”
