Middlesbrough delivered a cruel introduction to second-tier football for newly-promoted Lincoln City, coming from behind to win 2-1 thanks to a second-half brace from marquee signing Will Lankshear, ending the Imps' remarkable unbeaten run in the process.
Lincoln, playing in the Championship for the first time in 65 years, made an impressive start at the Riverside and took a 12th-minute lead through Adam Reach. The visitors held firm for long periods, threatening to spoil Middlesbrough's promotion ambitions on the opening weekend. But former Tottenham striker Lankshear, making his first league appearance since his high-profile switch to Teesside, drew the hosts level shortly after the hour mark before poking home a stoppage-time winner to complete the turnaround.
The defeat brought an abrupt end to a 29-game unbeaten streak across all competitions for Lincoln stretching back to early December, a harsh way to begin life back among England's second tier.
Elsewhere, Bolton Wanderers provided the other promoted side with something to celebrate, defeating Preston North End 2-1 in front of a sellout crowd of 26,262 at the Toughsheet Community Stadium. Goals from Sam Dalby and Thierry Gale either side of half-time gave Steven Schumacher's men control of the match, and despite a nervy finish after substitute Jusef Erabi headed in a cross from fellow replacement Andrija Vukcevic with four minutes remaining, Bolton held on to secure their first Championship victory since March 2019 — a significant marker for a club many had tipped to struggle following their return to the division after seven years away.
At Bramall Lane, Sheffield United and Birmingham City could not find a way through each other, settling for a goalless stalemate that offered little indication either club's promotion aspirations will be fulfilled this season.
West Bromwich Albion produced a late smash-and-grab at Carrow Road, overturning a difficult afternoon against Norwich City with two goals in the closing stages. Aune Heggebo and Jimmy-Jay Morgan struck to give West Brom a 2-1 win after enduring sustained pressure from their hosts.
Charlton Athletic completed their own comeback victory, beating Derby County 2-1 courtesy of a stunning strike from young forward Tyreece Campbell in the 80th minute. The result compounded a miserable week for Derby, whose proposed takeover led by Saudi government official and boxing figure Turki Alalshikh collapsed just days earlier.
Queens Park Rangers claimed a notable win at Fratton Park, coming from behind to defeat Portsmouth 3-1 with Ilias Chair scoring twice — marking QPR's first victory at the venue in 26 years.
Swansea City also fought back from a goal down to beat Stoke City 2-1. Eric Bocat had given Stoke an early lead with a deflected effort in the 10th minute, but Joseph Opoku levelled matters with a powerful strike in the 23rd minute after some defensive lapses. Substitute Adam Idah then snatched the winner with his very first touch, capitalising on further uncertainty at the back to net a close-range finish in the 66th minute.
Millwall rounded out the weekend's action with a comfortable 2-0 win away at Bristol City, with Josh Coburn scoring twice against a Robins side reduced to ten men after Adam Randell was sent off for a second bookable offence during a first-half challenge that halted a promising counter-attack.
Based on reporting from Independent (football).