Summary
Four EFL games on opening night of domestic football season
Newly-relegated Sheffield United claim comfortable 2-0 win at Preston
Championship newcomers Derby suffer chastening 4-2 defeat at Blackburn on return to second tier
League One new boys Mansfield Town register deserved shock win at Barnsley
Chesterfield, back in Football League after six-year absence, held by Swindon in League Two
Live Reporting
Jay Freeman, Nathan Albon and Harry Everett
Bye bye for nowpublished at 22:15 British Summer Time 9 August
22:15 BST 9 August
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That just about does us for the opening night of the English Football League season.
We're back in the morning for a bumper day in the EFL as we get under way with a stellar set of Championship fixtures at lunchtime, followed by a flurry of League Two fixtures and then the League One season gets going in earnest at tea time.
The season has well and truly begun.
Thank you for joining us.
'We showed excellent character'published at 22:14 British Summer Time 9 August
22:14 BST 9 August
FT: Blackburn 4-2 Derby
Blackburn boss John Eustace on Sky Sports:
"I thought the lads were excellent. First-half we really stamped our authority on the game.
"The character of the group was excellent and we looked really good on the transition."
'We need to be more assured behind the ball' - Mendez-Laingpublished at 22:13 British Summer Time 9 August
22:13 BST 9 August
FT: Blackburn 4-2 Derby
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing spoke to BBC Radio Derby:
"We had great spells in the game.
"Going forward we did some great stuff, but need to be more assured behind the ball.
"None of us let our heads drop, first game of the season, nothing to get too down about."
'Mansfield showed resilience'published at 22:10 British Summer Time 9 August
22:10 BST 9 August
FT: Barnsley 1-2 Mansfield
Jon D'Laryea
Former Mansfield Town midfielder on BBC Radio NottinghamMansfield started the game as if there was no pressure on them. They just went out and enjoyed it.
The second-half was more cautious as Barnsley gained confidence, but on balance Mansfield deserved the win. They showed resilience.
Friday's EFL resultspublished at 22:10 British Summer Time 9 August
22:10 BST 9 August
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So, victories for Blackburn against Derby and Sheffield United at Preston to get the season going in the Championship.
And what a thumping win that was for Blackburn, who put four past the Rams, while Sheffield United were rarely troubled by an off-the-pace Preston side.
In League One, Barnsley were defeated at home by Mansfield while Chesterfield's return to the EFL saw them draw with Swindon.
'Few of our strikers had efforts on goal'published at 22:06 British Summer Time 9 August
22:06 BST 9 August
FT: Blackburn 4-2 Derby
Eric Steele
Former Derby and Man Utd goalkeeper on BBC Radio DerbyDid we see enough tonight to say we are confident going into future Championship matches?
That is the key question.
You are encouraged, even at 1-1, we got wide in good areas.
But you may be worried about how few of our strikers had efforts on goal.
'This gets us excited'published at 22:01 British Summer Time 9 August
22:01 BST 9 August
FT: Blackburn 4-2 Derby
Player of the Match, Blackburn's Tyrhys Dolan to Sky Sports:
"Last season gave us more motivation to kick on and do well. We know we’re much better than that.
"This just gets us excited about what we can bring."
Derby need to 'spring back in the cup'published at 21:59 British Summer Time 9 August
21:59 BST 9 August
FT: Blackburn 4-2 Derby
Malcolm Christie
Former Derby striker on BBC Radio DerbyThe good thing for me is that we have another game Tuesday (against League Two side Chesterfield in the Carabao Cup).
Yes we need a performance then, Paul Warne will make changes, but we need to use it to spring back ready for next Saturday.
There were glimpses of positives, but you cannot use them to sugar-coat this result.
FULL-TIMEpublished at 21:56 British Summer Time 9 August
21:56 BST 9 August
Chesterfield 1-1 Swindon
Chesterfield’s first game back in the EFL after six years away ends all square.
Armando Dobra’s early rebound got the 9,000-strong home crowd rather excited.
But, Will Wright’s second-half screamer for Swindon means both sides have to settle for a point.
FULL-TIMEpublished at 21:56 British Summer Time 9 August
21:56 BST 9 August
Barnsley 1-2 Mansfield
Mansfield make a winning return to the third tier after a 21-year absence.
Barnsley were slow out of the blocks and made to pay by Mansfield with two goals in the space of five minutes, from Stephen Quinn and Lee Gregory.
Luca Connell’s deflected effort for Barnsley later in the first-half proved futile.
Their 7-0 win over Port Vale on the opening day of last season seems like a long time ago now.
FULL-TIMEpublished at 21:54 British Summer Time 9 August
21:54 BST 9 August
Preston 0-2 Sheff Utd
Sheffield United kick off their Championship campaign with a comfortable win at Preston.
It's a first win for the Blades since 10 February and remarkably their first clean sheet of 2024.
Preston rarely threatened and, having lost their final five games and failing to score in that time to end last season, they've begun the 2024-25 season with a demoralising defeat.
Image source, Getty Images'Derby rolled over by Rovers'published at 21:54 British Summer Time 9 August
21:54 BST 9 August
FT: Blackburn 4-2 Derby
Eric Steele
Former Derby and Man Utd goalkeeper on BBC Radio DerbyIf ever you wanted an example of how big a step from League One into the Championship there is, here it is.
Derby have been dispatched by Blackburn Rovers in 12 minutes when the three substitutes jumped all over Derby and stuck the ball in the net.
They have been punished and have a lot to reflect on before they take on Middlesbrough at Pride Park next Saturday.
Derby rolled over by Rovers.
FULL-TIMEpublished at 21:53 British Summer Time 9 August
21:53 BST 9 August
Blackburn 4-2 Derby
That was an entertaining 90 minutes.
Six goals, goals for debutants Andi Weimann and Yuki Ohashi, and a goal and assist for Sammie Szmodics - it's a thumping opening day win for Blackburn.
Derby showed glimpses of quality but we saw much too little of it.
Image source, PA Mediaget involved Get Involvedpublished at 21:51 British Summer Time 9 August
21:51 BST 9 August
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Nas in Blackburn: The stuff of champions at Ewood Park. It won't be long before this historic club is back in the top flight. A tough lesson for Derby County tonight.
INJURY TIMEpublished at 21:50 British Summer Time 9 August
21:50 BST 9 August
Preston 0-2 Sheff Utd
Six minutes added on.
The stands are beginning to empty at Deepdale already.
INJURY TIMEpublished at 21:50 British Summer Time 9 August
21:50 BST 9 August
Blackburn 4-2 Derby
Five minutes injury time at Ewood Park.
Surely it's too late for any more drama?
Postpublished at 21:48 British Summer Time 9 August
21:48 BST 9 August
Blackburn 4-2 Derby
Malcolm Christie
Former Derby striker on BBC Radio DerbyGood finish from a great ball in.
Wilson just peeled off and he has deserved that, he has worked tirelessly.
There will be a lot of good things to still take from this game, but of course the very steep learning curve too.
GOAL: Blackburn 4-2 Derbypublished at 21:46 British Summer Time 9 August
21:46 BST 9 August
Kane Wilson (88 mins)
A consolation for Derby.
Such muted celebrations from the visiting supporters who've probably not enjoyed themselves much tonight.
Nathaniel Mendez-Liang's corner is headed home by Kane Wilson.
Too little too late?
SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 21:46 British Summer Time 9 August
21:46 BST 9 August
Preston 0-2 Sheff Utd
Robbie Brady is brought off by Preston.
Kian Best comes on.
SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 21:45 British Summer Time 9 August
21:45 BST 9 August
Blackburn 4-1 Derby
Callum Elder, Ben Osborn and David Ozoh are withdrawn for Derby County.
Craig Forsyth, Liam Thompson and Tyrese Fornah are sent on.
Meanwhile, Tyrhys Dolan comes off for Blackburn having got them off the mark earlier tonight. Former Wolves captain Danny Batth comes on to become the latest Rovers debutant to take the field.
