Arconte Double Lights Up The Den as Millwall Sink 10-Man Norwich
Millwall made it two wins from two to start the Championship season, swatting aside Norwich City 3-0 at The Den on a night when their new striker announced himself in style.
Tairyk Arconte scored his first two goals for the club on his home debut, capping a performance that left the visitors looking nothing like the side tipped to challenge for the playoffs. Norwich have now lost both of their opening games of the 2026-27 campaign — a stark start for a club carrying real expectations of a promotion push (The Guardian).
Arconte needed just 18 minutes to open his account. Josh Coburn's shot was pushed away by Norwich goalkeeper Vladan Kovacevic, and the forward reacted quickest, tapping in the rebound from close range. His second, ten minutes into the second half, was the pick of the pair: Jake Cooper headed Zak Sturge's delivery back across goal, and Arconte steered a volley into the bottom corner with the kind of composure that suggested he had been doing this for years rather than minutes (Southwark News).
Norwich's task grew harder in the second half when defender José Córdoba received a second yellow card for a foul on Arconte, leaving his side to chase the game with ten men. Luke Cundle added a third six minutes from time, sliding in to seal a result that felt thoroughly earned.
There is a reversal of fortunes worth noting here. Norwich beat Millwall 2-1 in their last Championship meeting, at Carrow Road in April. Three goals and a clean sheet later, the balance has shifted emphatically (ESPN).
There was drama elsewhere in the Championship on the same night. Portsmouth finally got their season going with a 3-1 win at Lincoln City, turning around a run of two straight defeats — both by the same 3-1 scoreline. Ryan Kavuma-McQueen set them on their way inside seven minutes, Adrian Segecic doubled the lead shortly after, and when Reeco Hackett-Fairchild pulled one back from the penalty spot, substitute Ebrima Adams struck in the 69th minute to make the points safe (The Guardian).
The fixture carried its own significance. Lincoln were playing their first home game in the second tier since 1961 — a 65-year absence — and the occasion drew a crowd eager to see the club back where many felt they belonged. Portsmouth spoilt the party, but the night was still a milestone for a club that has climbed its way back through the leagues (BBC Sport; Sky Sports).
At St Andrew's, Birmingham City needed a late Demarai Gray penalty to salvage a 2-2 draw with Bristol City. Scott Twine had put the visitors ahead before Carlos Vicente levelled on the stroke of half-time. Dom Ballard looked to have won it for Bristol City with an 85th-minute flick from Rio Cardines's cross, only for Gray to convert from the spot in the dying moments.
Three matches, three different stories — a new striker finding his feet, a proud club marking a long-awaited return, and a penalty at the death. The Championship is barely two weeks old, and it is already delivering.
