Round up of all the Division 1 action for Saturday

Debut goal
By Paul Holmes
August 10 2002

Round up of all the Division 1 action for Saturday 10th August 2002.

Finally 1st Division Football has returned to our lives....ahhhhhhhhh, bliss.

BUT some fans will no doubt be wishing the season never started.

Brighton made a great start to life in the 1st Division with a 3-1 win at Burnley, goals came from Steve Melton, Paul Brocker and Bobby Zamora before Lee Brisco grabbed a last-minute goal for Burnley. Arthur Gnohere was sent off early in the 2nd half to add to Burnley's misery

Gary McAllister made a steady start to managerial life with a 2-1 win over Sheff Utd. The Blades took the lead early on through Carl Asaba but Jay Bothroyd equalised minutes later. Just before half-time Gary McSheffrey gave the player-boss the 3 points.

It was last season's Prem and Div 2 teams that meet at Pride Park as Derby beat Reading 3-0. Goals coming from Rob Lee, Fabrizio Ravanelli and Malcolm Christie in the 2nd half.

Fellow 1st Division new boys Leicester City got off to a winning start in front of a full house at the Walkers Stadium. Brian Deane grabbed a brace as Watford were defeated 2-0.

Shock of the day came as Millwall, tipped for promotion, crashed at home to Rotherham, tipped for relegation, a staggering... wait for it, 6-0. Darren Byfield grabbed 4 with Martin McIntosh and Chris Sedgwick grabbing 1 each.

Last seasons play-off finalists, Norwich started in good beating Grimsby 4-0 with the Phil Mulryne and Paul McVeigh grabbing two each.

Harry Redkanpp's Portmsouth got off to a good start with a 2-0 win over Nottm Forest. Goals coming from the returning Deon Burton and Vincent Pericard, on loan from Juventus.

Preston debut boy Ricardo Fuller gave The Lilywhites the lead before Palace's very own debut boy Darren Powell equalised straight away. That left the way for Steve Kabba to take the points for Palace with a stunning effort.

Sheff Wed and Stoke played out the only goalless draw of day in front of 26,746 fans.

In a the televised game Ipswich beat Walsall 2-0 with goals coming from Darren Ambrose and Darren Bent.

Gillingham beat Wimbledon 1-0 thanks to a Guy Ipoua goal in front of just 2,476 fans at Selhurst as AFC Wimbledon fans protested outside the ground.