Classy Canaries as low as 4-1 for second-tier title
NORWICH laid down a quick marker for the new season after a resounding 4-1 success at Blackburn saw them cut to as low as 4-1 and a best-priced 8-1 to win the Sky Bet Championship.
The Canaries led 3-0 inside 25 minutes thanks to goals from Jacob Murphy, Wes Hoolahan and Cameron Jerome before Steven Naismith added a fourth. Anthony Stokes later grabbed a consolation for Rovers.
Heavyweights Derby and Brighton played out a goalless stalemate and Norwich were the only road side to win in the division.
Ipswich’s Grant Ward produced a stunning debut, scoring a second-half hat-trick after being brought on at the break as the Tractor Boys beat Barnsley 4-2.
Favourites Newcastle have been eased to 9-4 following their 1-0 loss at Fulham on Friday.
It was a dodgy start for all of the ante-post Sky Bet Football League market leaders with Sheffield United suffering a 1-0 defeat at Bolton.
According to Opta’s statistics the blunt Blades were the only side in the Football League not to have a shot on target.
Sky Bet League Two favourites Portsmouth were held to a 1-1 draw by ten-man Carlisle at Fratton Park. Luton secured the most eye-catching result of the day as they thrashed Plymouth 3-0 at Home Park.
Rangers made a slow start to their Ladbrokes Premiership campaign with a 1-1 draw against Hamilton at Ibrox.
West Ham host Juventus in the Betway Cup on Sunday and the Hammers have been boosted by the news that their £20m bid for Andre Ayew was accepted by Swansea.
Manchester City and Arsenal do battle at Gothenburg’s Ullevi Stadium in another pre-season friendly before the real Premier League stuff begins on Saturday with the start of the new term.
City continued their heavy summer spending spree with the acquisition of Colombian forward Marlos Moreno for £4.75m. Moreno, 19, will spend the season on loan at Deportivo La Coruna.