Championship roundup: Millwall defeat Norwich 3-0 at The Den; Portsmouth win 3-1 at Lincoln
On 22 August 2026, Millwall beat Norwich City 3-0 at The Den and Portsmouth defeated Lincoln 3-1 in Championship matches.
Tairyk Arconte scored his first two goals for Millwall on his home debut as the Lions made it two wins from two this season, while Norwich — tipped to challenge for the play-offs — have lost both opening games and saw defender José Córdoba sent off. Portsmouth registered their first league victory after losing their first two games by the same scoreline, and Lincoln remain without a win since their return to the second tier more than 60 years ago.
Millwall opened the scoring in the 18th minute when Mark Sykes’s pass found Josh Coburn; Coburn’s shot was pushed out by Vladan Kovacevic and Arconte tapped in the rebound. The lead was extended after 58 minutes when Zak Sturge’s delivery was headed back by Jake Cooper for Arconte to guide a volley into the bottom corner. Norwich were reduced to ten men in the 64th minute when Córdoba received a second yellow card for bundling over Arconte as he charged towards the area. Millwall sealed the victory with six minutes remaining when a counterattack finished with Luke Cundle sliding in the third goal.
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 commented: “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.”
At Sincil Bank, Portsmouth took control early through a seventh-minute goal from Ryan Kavuma-McQueen and doubled their advantage nine minutes later via Adrian Segecic. Reeco Hackett-Fairchild pulled one back from the penalty spot just past the half-hour mark, but substitute Ebrima Adams made the game safe with a strike after 69 minutes to complete a 3-1 win for Pompey.
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.”
Birmingham drew 2-2 with Bristol City at St Andrew’s, with Demarai Gray converting a late penalty to rescue a point for the hosts. Scott Twine gave Bristol City the lead in the 33rd minute before Carlos Vicente equalised in the 42nd. Dom Ballard restored the visitors’ lead after 85 minutes with a back-to-goal flick following a Rio Cardines’s cross, but an 88th-minute equaliser from Jhon Solis was 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.”
The results leave Millwall with two wins from two league games, Norwich having lost both of their opening matches, Portsmouth recording their first victory of the season and Lincoln still searching for a first win since their return to the second tier more than 60 years ago.