Championship round-up: Blades axe Blackwell after miserable start to season

Sheffield United fans who chanted "Blackwell out" during their side's 3-0 home defeat by Queens Park Rangers got their way last night when Kevin Blackwell left the club by mutual consent.

United fell three goals behind within the opening 23 minutes, sparking a barrage of abuse from the home support directed at the former Leeds and Luton manager. It did not make it any easier to take that QPR are managed by the Blades fan and former manager Neil Warnock.

United thanked Blackwell for his work since February 2008 but added: "It is time for us to move on because our ambition remains the same in challenging for promotion."

QPR, who thrashed Barnsley 4-0 last week, were inspired by Adel Taarabt, a £1m buy from Tottenham. He played in Hogan Ephraim for the opening goal after 11 minutes, Jamie Mackie headed the second and Taarabt netted a penalty after Heidar Helguson was fouled.

Rangers sit alongside promoted Millwall at the top of the table, who swept aside Hull 4-0 at The Den. Steve Morison, who scored 23 goals last season after joining from Stevenage, claimed another two with headers from corners. Kevin Lisbie and Liam Trotter added the others.

Coventry fell 2-0 behind at Watford with Will Buckley scoring just before first-half and John Eustace adding another after 58 minutes. But in the last two minutes David Bell pulled one back and Lukas Jutkiewicz equalised with a penalty after a foul by Lloyd Doyley on Richard Keogh.

Ipswich were the victims of a late steal by 10-man Burnley, who had David Edgar sent off. They equalised in the last minute through Clarke Carlisle after David Norris appeared to have claimed the points with a goal four minutes earlier.

Michael Chopra set Cardiff on their way to a 2-1 victory at Derby. Tomasz Cywka equalised in the 25th but Chris Burke fired in the winner in the 76th.

Doncaster needing a last-minute penalty by Billy Sharp to salvage a 1-1 draw at home to Bristol City and Grant Holt headed the only goal in the last minute to give Norwich victory at Scunthorpe. Swansea found their form thrashing Preston 4-0 and Patrick McCarthy's own goal gave Barnsley a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace.