Welcome back to the craziest division! Bournemouth and West Bromwich Albion draw in the Championship opener

EFL Championship, the world's best second-tier competition kicked off in a spectacular manner as two candidates for promotion to the Premier League played out an entertaining 2-2 draw. Bournemouth led twice against West Bromwich Albion, but the quality visitors came back twice and even had late chances to snatch all three points from the Cherries.

Brilliant first half ended with goal a piece with Emiliano Marcondes openening the scoring early on for Bournemouth, managed by Scott Parker, the man who was in charge of Fulham last term. Dara O'Shea then responded for West Brom with a close-range header just after the half-hour mark.

There was plenty of action at the Vitality Stadium as WBA's new boss Valerian Ismael wanted to kick off his reign with a good result against one of the rivals in the promotion race.

Through mud to gold: The worlds strongest second division kicks off tonight

This league is certainly not a sprint, but rather a marathon - but it's always good to kick things off on the up. Cheered by a rampant crowd in the south of England, the hosts took the lead again just five minutes into the second half through Phillip Billing, but Callum Robinson levelled again for the visitors with a well-taken half-volley.

Both teams looked determined to win it, but despite chances on either end - the match ended in a 2-2 draw. This competition hardly needs selling, but if you needed an incentive to make you keep an eye on the Championship - this match was it.

EFL Championship - Round 1

Friday

Bournemouth - West Bromwich Albion 2-2 (1-1)

/Marcondes 12, Billing 52 - O'Shea 33, Robinson 67/

Saturday

17.00: (2.25) Blackburn (3.10) Swansea (3.50)

17.00: (2.30) Bristol City (3.15) Blackpool (3.30)

17.00: (2.40) Cardiff City (3.10) Barnsley (3.20)

17.00: (4.50) Derby (3.45) Huddersfield (1.85)

17.00: (2.25) Luton (3.25) Peterborough (3.30)

17.00: (2.55) Preston (3.15) Hull (2.85)

17.00: (2.30) QPR (3.10) Milwall (3.35)

17.00: (1.88) Sheffield Utd (3.40) Birmingham (4.40)

17.00: (2.10) Stoke (3.05) Reading (4.00)

Sunday

16.30: (2.00) Fulham (3.40) Middlesbrough (3.90)

19.30: (2.60) Coventry (3.00) Nottingham Forrest (2.95)