Neil Warnock praised the spirit of his QPR side after they scored two stoppage-time goals to draw 2-2 at Derby on Saturday and keep themselves on top of the Championship table.

The FootbalL League column: For people to watch football, modern stadiums are far superior

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway has made no apologies for fielding a weakened side in the Carling Cup. The Premier League newcomers went out of the competition in the second round on Tuesday to MK Dons, two divisions below them.

Neil Warnock's Queen's Park Rangers kept up their perfect start to the Championship season with a 2-0 win over Scunthorpe at home on Saturday. First-half goals from Bradley Orr and Heidar Helguson maintained their place at the summit of the table. Despite not getting on the scoresheet, summer signing Adel Taarabt was the star of the show, causing no end of problems for the Iron defence and setting up both goals.

Round-Up

Celtic revealed a 15 per cent drop in annual turnover yesterday along with an increase in bank debt of more than £4m – a financial performance partly attributed to "unacceptable results" on the field under Tony Mowbray.

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.

Neil Lennon yesterday challenged Paddy McCourt to go that extra mile with his fitness and prove he is up to speed as a potential Celtic replacement for the departing Aiden McGeady.

It's nearly impossible to score a decent interest rate with a football-club-branded financial product

Goalkeeper

David James (Bristol City)

Made debut for Watford 19 years ago and still going strong at 40. Returned from World Cup with England to join City after four seasons at Portsmouth.

Middlesbrough start as Championship favourites, but the last campaign's surprise promotion has spurred a hungry chasing pack. Paul Newman previews the contest

Celtic 2 Sporting Braga 1 <i>(Braga win 4-2 on aggregate)</i>

After just their second promotion in 103 years, Rochdale face the new League One season for once full of hope, writes Chris McGrath

It was the minimum that was required but it was more than enough for England fans who had made their way to Port Elizabeth. All around the stadium provincial banners were draped: Yeovil, Wycombe and Scunthorpe had come in hope more than expectation.