Championship favourites Leeds in thrilling draw with Portsmouth

English Championship favourites Leeds launched their 2024/25 season by snatching a late equaliser in a dramatic 3-3 draw at home to newly-promoted Portsmouth on Saturday.

It seemed as if the visitors, last term's League One champions, would leave Elland Road with all three points following a late penalty from Callum Lang.

But Brenden Aaronson's goal in the fifth minute ot stoppage time ensured a share of the spoils for Leeds, still in the second tier having been denied a place in the Premier League following a loss to Southampton – Portsmouth's arch rivals – in the Championship play-off final last season.

📰 #LUFC draw 3-3 against Portsmouth in our first game of the season, Struijk, Gnonto and Aaronson on target for the Whites

— Leeds United (@LUFC) August 10, 2024

Pascal Struijk's penalty gave Leeds an early lead, but Pompey hit back through a goal from summer signing Elias Sorensen and Lang's thumping drive.

Willy Gnonto equalised early in the second half but Leeds needed Aaronson's late goal to rescue a point after Lang scored his second from the penalty spot.

Aaronson could have won the game for the hosts in the closing moments, but he dragged his shot wide when well-placed.

Elsewhere, Mileta Rajovic headed as Watford won 3-2 away to Millwall.

Duncan Watmore's second-half double drew south London side Millwall level after Edo Kayembe and Giorgi Chakvetadze had put Watford on top.

HARD-FOUGHT! ✊ pic.twitter.com/V3cG8oZM8d

— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) August 10, 2024

Josh Maja scored a hat-trick as West Bromwich Albion came from behind to defeat Queens Park Rangers 3-1 at Loftus Road.

Lucas Andersen put the west London club ahead in the 16th minute, only for Albion to hit back in style through Maja's treble.

Oh, it's 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 to be back. 😍 pic.twitter.com/qienVCyHqp

— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) August 10, 2024

Oxford enjoyed an ideal start to their first season back in English football's second tier for 25 years, with a 2-0 victory over Norwich.

Goalws in each half by Mark Harris and Cameron Brannagan secured victory for Oxford as new Norwich manager Johannes Hoff Thorup endured a disappointing start to his time in charge.

Middlesbrough won on the opening day for the first time in a decade as Emmanuel Latte Lath scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Swansea.

Oscar Estupinan's last-minute penalty earned Hull a 1-1 draw against Bristol City after Fally Mayulu's 84th-minute strike had put the visitors ahead.

Sunderland started the Regis Le Bris era with a win after goals from Luke O'Nien and Jack Clarke secured a 2-0 victory at Cardiff, while Lewis Baker scored with 12 minutes left to seal a 1-0 win for Stoke at home to Coventry.