Charlton Athletic have continued their strong start to the 2026-27 Championship season, securing their third consecutive victory to top the league standings. Their 1-0 win over Preston North End at The Valley saw Karlan Grant score the decisive goal shortly after the hour mark. This marks the first time Charlton have begun a second-tier campaign with three wins from three matches since 1992.
Manager Nathan Jones, who returned to the club over the summer on a free transfer from West Bromwich Albion, emphasized caution despite the promising start. “It’s only three games so we won’t be silly,” Jones said, reflecting on the prospects for promotion. “No one wins anything in August. Nine points from three games — that’s the big thing.” He acknowledged the team’s defensive discipline and resilience, noting the importance of building on the momentum while remaining grounded.
Preston North End boss Paul Heckingbottom expressed frustration after his side’s defeat, their third loss in the league. He pointed to defensive mistakes as a key factor in their performance. “Both boxes is where it went wrong,” he said. “We had spells of controlling the game but it’s about winning.” Heckingbottom also highlighted the ongoing issue of converting opportunities and hinted at efforts to strengthen his squad before the transfer window closes.
Charlton’s unbeaten run comes amid a mixed start for other clubs recently relegated from the Premier League. West Ham United remain without a victory in the Championship after drawing 1-1 with Watford before nearly 21,000 fans. Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo acknowledged mounting pressure and called for patience, emphasizing ongoing efforts to build a cohesive team. “We are a big club and favourites to go up,” he said, “but we have two points from three games... I ask again, keep believing, keep trusting us.”
Burnley, another club relegated last season, are also struggling early on. They suffered a 4-1 defeat to Norwich City, with head coach Nicky Hayen recognizing fan frustration but underscoring the need for time to integrate new players and improve performances.
Elsewhere in the Championship, Southampton recorded a 5-1 victory over Millwall, with Canada World Cup star Cyle Larin scoring twice to help the Saints recover points after a four-point deduction related to the ongoing Spygate investigation. Stoke City sit at the bottom of the table after a heavy defeat to Wolves, raising questions about their manager’s future.
In League One, Sheffield Wednesday secured a resounding 7-2 victory against Bromley, while Blackpool maintained their lead at the top of League One with a 4-0 win over Peterborough United. Meanwhile, in League Two, Barnet retained first place despite a 2-2 draw against Cheltenham Town, with five teams closely packed on seven points.
The early stages of the Football League season reveal a range of fortunes, with Charlton emerging as a surprise front-runner in the Championship, while some others are still adapting after relegation or promotion challenges. The coming weeks will likely be crucial in determining which teams can sustain their form and mount genuine promotion bids.