Sky Bet Championship round-up: Sunderland held by Derby as Nottingham Forest beat
(August 04 2017)
A review of Friday's action in the Sky Bet Championship, as Sunderland and Derby drew 1-1 and Nottingham Forest beat Millwall.
Nottingham Forest 1-0 Millwall
Sunderland 1-1 Derby
Lewis Grabban struck from the penalty to save Sunderland from opening-night embarrassment as they began their Sky Bet Championship campaign with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Derby at the Stadium of Light.
The newly-relegated Black Cats, who are 6/1 for promotion with Sky Bet and 20/1 to win the title, were served a stark reminder of the task that awaits them this season as it took Gary Rowett's Rams just 12 minutes to grab the lead when Bradley Johnson lashed home a loose ball in the box.
Grabban equalised just before the break after Jacob Butterfield was judged to have handled, and while Grabban also hit the bar for Sunderland, his side were fortunate when visiting striker Chris Martin wasted a glorious chance to win it late on.
For all the well-meaning bustle of two clubs expecting to find themselves in the promotion frame, the start of another competitive campaign was put in perspective by a pre-match minute's applause for Sunderland fan Bradley Lowery, who lost his battle with neuroblastoma last month.
Barrie McKay's first goal for Nottingham Forest was enough to secure a 1-0 win for Mark Warburton's side at the City Ground – but Millwall boss Neil Harris will be wondering quite how.
The winger's spectacular long-range finish, four minutes before half-time, was far from the game's only decisive moment.
Millwall had a host of chances not only to level, but to take away a win of their own – but this was one of those nights where nothing went for them, as opportunity after opportunity went begging.
Forest are now 11/1 for promotion and 33/1 to win the title.