Watford set the early pace in the race for promotion from the Championship with a 4-0 rout of QPR in their opening game of the season on Saturday.

After a disappointing season ended in a mid-table finish, Watford have their sights set on a return to the top-flight and their dominant display at Vicarage Road was the perfect start.

It was also the idea way for new boss Valerien Ismael to kick off his Watford reign.

The Hornets scored all four of their goals in the first half, including the opener after just 33 seconds.

Tom Dele-Bashiru slotted past Asmir Begovic after a sublime reverse pass from the impressive Imran Louza.

Louza doubled the lead with a curling effort from the edge of the box in the 20th minute.

Matheus Martins darted in front of Paul Smyth to nod home Ken Sema's corner in the 38th minute.

Bayo made it four two minutes before half-time when he fired home at the back post from Francisco Sierralta's cross.

Stoke also made a strong start to the season with a 4-1 win over Rotherham.

They led in the fifth minute thanks to Ki-Jana Hoever's opener before Andre Vidigal scored twice in first-half stoppage-time.

Lee Peltier got one back but Cafu's red card ended any hopes of an unlikely comeback, with Jacob Brown adding a late fourth for Stoke.

Plymouth registered their first Championship victory since April 2010 as they beat Huddersfield 3-1.

Last season's League One champions started the season in style as Morgan Whittaker put them ahead after just six minutes.

Michael Helik equalised for the Terriers on the stroke of half-time but Bali Mumba and Ryan Hardie won it for Argyle in the second half.

Two goals in two first-half minutes laid the foundations of Blackburn's 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion.

Dilan Markanday got the first in the 20th minute and then straight after Ryan Leonard stroked home.

Matt Phillips reduced the deficit but a frustrating day for West Brom boss Carlos Corberan ended in him being sent off.

Adam Idah scored deep into stoppage-time to earn Norwich a first home win since February as they beat Hull 2-1.

Romain Esse's 79th-minute goal gave Millwall a 1-0 victory at Middlesbrough in the south London club's first game since the shock death of American owner John Berylson in a car crash.

Bristol City drew 1-1 with Preston, while Swansea and Birmingham shared a 1-1 draw.