Premier League
Romelu Lukaku tore Southampton apart at ST Mary’s this afternoon scoring two goals to help Everton to a comfortable 3-0 away win. A fine curling strike from Ross Barclay completed the fine victory away from home for the toffee’s in a dominant display in which Belgian Lukaku reminded everyone why he is one of the top strikers around.
Two on form sides met up Upton park and it was Caludio Ranieri’s Leicester City who took the points to keep their unebaten start going. It was Asia and Africa combining with the goals, Japan’s Shinji Okazaki opened the scoring and Algerian Riyad Mahrez made it two with a powerful strike to make it 2-0. Dimitri Payet got one back for West Ham and Diafra Sakho had a chance to equalise but the effort was well saved by Leicester keeper Kasper Schmiechel to keep Leicester ahead and earn the points
Championship
Despite dominating the game Derby County failed to find a winner to take three points at home to Charlton Athletic. Tony Watt gave the visitors the lead with a deflected shot. The latics defended for most of the game Chris Martin, Tom Ince and Jeff Hendrick all missed chances. It was Martin who got the equaliser for Derby, who also had a chance to win it in injury time, keeper Nick Pope made the save from a header to earn Charlton a point.
Nottingham Forest came from behind to get their first points of the season against Rotherham. Danny Collins gave Rotherham a deserved early lead but the key moment came just before half-time when Matt Mills equalised from a Jamie Ward cross. With the momentum, Forest controlled the second half with the winner, probably inevitably, coming from Michail Antonio from close range. Antonio has been very impressive and will be key to Forest’s hopes this season.
League 1
Blackpool remain without a win this season after being comfortably defeated by Rochdale 2-0. Donal McDermott gave Rochdale the lead just before the hour. With Blackpool pushing for the equaliser, Rochdale struck again four minutes from time as Ian Henderson got a second from close range to secure the points.
League 2
The form book went out the window in the Nottinghamshire Derby at Meadow Lane on Friday night. Notts County went into the game bang in form but were surprisingly lackluster as Mansfield Town dominated the game and came out with a surprise but deserved victory. Matt Green put Chris Clements through to give the stage a half-time lead. Ryan Tafazoll made it to with a header from a free-kick with 10 minutes to go to complete probably Mansfield’s best performance since returning to the Football League.
An injury time equaliser from Stevenage defender Mark Hughes cost Newport County the three points at Rodney Parade. Dipo Akinyemi finished off a fine counter attack to give the visitors the lead. However Newport improved in the second half and turned it around with goals from Aaron Collins before Scott Boden to lead 2-1. Hughes header ensured Newport could not hold on and give Teddy Sheringham’s side a point.
National League
Both Tranmere Rovers and Chester City were held to 0-0 draws by Braintree Town and Dover respectively. The Tranmere game was dull with only one shot on target in the whole 90 minutes. Dover could have had the three points at home to Chester but keeper Jon Worsnop had a fine game making key saves to gain Chester an away point.
Cheltenham Town got their first win of the season with an easy victory against struggling Southport. After a tight first half Aaron Downes gave Cheltenham the lead with a header and from then on the home side dominated. Two further goals from Amari Morgan-Smith gave Cheltenham a 3-0 win in the end and Southport only have one point and may well be looking at a long relegation battle on current form.
Scotland
Queen Of The South dominated most of the game at Livingston but found breaking down a tight defense hard work. After a goalless first half it was Lewis Kidd who broke the deadlock with a long range strike from 25 yards. Derek Lyle missed chances to make the game safe but Livingston offered little going forward and Queens ended up taking the 3 points 1-0
MOON OF LIBERTY SOCCER SCOREBOARD
Premier League
Southampton (0) 0 Everton (2) 3 (Lukaku 2, Barclay) – At ST Mary’s Stadium, Southampton
West Ham United (0) 1 (Payet) Leicester City (2) 2 (Okazaki, Mahrez) – At Upton Park,Newham
Championship
Derby County (0) 1 (Martin) Charlton Athletic (0) 1 (Watt) – At Pride Park, Derby
Nottingham Forest (1) 2 (Mills, Antonio) Rotherham (1) 1 (Collins) – At The City Ground, West Bridgeford
League 1
Blackpool (0) 0 Rochdale (0) 2 (McDermott, Henderson) – At Bloomfield Road, Blackpool
League 2
Notts County (0) 0 Mansfield Town (1) 2 (Clements, Tafazoll) – At Meadow Lane, Nottingham
Newport County (0) 2 (Collins, Boden) Stevenage (1) 2 (Akinyemi, Hughes) – At Rodney Parade, Newport
National League
Braintree Town (0) 0 Tranmere Rovers (0) 0 – At Cressing Road, Braintree
Dover Athletic (0) 0 Chester City (0) 0 – At Crabbie Athletic Ground, River
Cheltenham Town (0) 3 (Downes, Morgan-Smith 2) Southport (0) 0 – At Whaddon Road, Cheltenham
Scottish Championship
Livingston (0) 0 Queen Of The South (0) 1 (Kidd) – At Almondvale Stadium, Livingston
KevFax Sport 