The French striker latched onto a loose clearance from Aston Villa midfielder Stephen Ireland before slotting the ball across goalkeeper Shay Given and into the net.
It is the third time Cisse that has scored on his debut, having done so for Liverpool and Sunderland.
His goal arrived after 12 minutes of play.
Restore Data
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | |
| 1 | Leeds UnitedLeeds | 38 | 23 | 11 | 4 | 76 | 25 | 51 | 80 |
| 2 | Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd | 38 | 25 | 7 | 6 | 53 | 28 | 25 | 80 |
| 3 | Burnley | 38 | 21 | 15 | 2 | 52 | 11 | 41 | 78 |
| 4 | Sunderland | 38 | 19 | 12 | 7 | 55 | 37 | 18 | 69 |
| 5 | Coventry CityCoventry | 38 | 17 | 8 | 13 | 55 | 48 | 7 | 59 |
| 6 | West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom | 38 | 13 | 18 | 7 | 48 | 34 | 14 | 57 |
| 7 | Bristol City | 38 | 14 | 15 | 9 | 49 | 41 | 8 | 57 |
| 8 | Middlesbrough | 38 | 15 | 9 | 14 | 57 | 48 | 9 | 54 |
| 9 | Blackburn RoversBlackburn | 38 | 15 | 7 | 16 | 42 | 40 | 2 | 52 |
| 10 | Watford | 38 | 15 | 7 | 16 | 47 | 51 | -4 | 52 |
| 11 | Millwall | 38 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 37 | 39 | -2 | 51 |
| 12 | Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds | 38 | 14 | 9 | 15 | 53 | 59 | -6 | 51 |
| 13 | Norwich CityNorwich | 38 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 60 | 54 | 6 | 49 |
| 14 | Preston North EndPreston | 38 | 10 | 17 | 11 | 39 | 44 | -5 | 47 |
| 15 | Queens Park RangersQPR | 38 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 44 | 50 | -6 | 45 |
| 16 | Swansea CitySwansea | 38 | 12 | 8 | 18 | 38 | 49 | -11 | 44 |
| 17 | Portsmouth | 38 | 11 | 9 | 18 | 46 | 61 | -15 | 42 |
| 18 | Oxford UnitedOxford Utd | 38 | 10 | 12 | 16 | 39 | 55 | -16 | 42 |
| 19 | Hull City | 38 | 10 | 11 | 17 | 39 | 47 | -8 | 41 |
| 20 | Stoke CityStoke | 38 | 9 | 12 | 17 | 37 | 51 | -14 | 39 |
| 21 | Cardiff CityCardiff | 38 | 9 | 12 | 17 | 42 | 62 | -20 | 39 |
| 22 | Derby CountyDerby | 38 | 10 | 8 | 20 | 40 | 51 | -11 | 38 |
| 23 | Luton TownLuton | 38 | 9 | 8 | 21 | 34 | 60 | -26 | 35 |
| 24 | Plymouth ArgylePlymouth | 38 | 7 | 12 | 19 | 40 | 77 | -37 | 33 |
| > Championship Full Table | |||||||||
