FA Cup
The first semi-final in the 2019 FA Cup took place on Saturday afternoon in Wembley Stadium and saw quadruple chasing Manchester City progress to the final with a one nil victory over Chris Hughton‘s Brighton & Hove Albion, for whom Shane Duffy was excellent in central defence.
Premier League
AFC Bournemouth went down to a three one home defeat by visitors Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon. Jeff Hendrick started for the visiting ‘Clarets’ with Robbie Brady, Kevin Long and Stephen Ward unused on the substitute bench.
Championship
Blackburn Rovers included Darragh Lenihan in their starting eleven with Derrick Williams a half-time substitute in their one nil home Championship defeat by visitors Stoke City who included James McClean in their starting eleven at Ewood Park this Saturday afternoon. Troubled Bolton Wanderers, whose players have not been paid this month, were granted permission to play their home fixture against Ipswich Town at the University of Bolton Stadium. Luca Connell was a forty first minute substitute for the ‘Trotters’ as they went down to a two one defeat, with Alan Judge completing the full ninety minutes for the visiting ‘Tractor Boys’. Brentford played host to Derby County and Richard Keogh at Griffin Park where they equalised on three occasions to earn a draw. Alex Pearce started for Millwall with Aiden O’Brien introduced for the final minutes but Shaun Williams remained on the bench for their two nil success over visitors West Bromwich Albion. The Preston North End trio of Alan Browne, Sean Maguire and Callum Robinson all started against visitors Sheffield United who included John Egan, Enda Stevens and David McGoldrick, who scored the only goal, in their starting eleven with Aston Villa loanee Scott Hogan introduced as a late substitute. Keiren Westwood and his Sheffield Wednesday colleagues went down to a three one defeat by in form visitors Aston Villa who included Glenn Whelan in their starting eleven with Conor Hourihane unused on the bench. Goalkeeper Darren Randolph started for Middlesbrough, who continued their dreadful losing run with a three one defeat at Swansea City.
League One
Striker James Collins started for League One leaders Luton Town and scored after just six minutes but was then dismissed on sixty one minutes following a second yellow card offence as his side played out a two all draw with visitors Blackpool at Kenilworth Road this Saturday afternoon. West Ham United loanee Josh Cullen and his promotion chasing Charlton Athletic colleagues made the lengthy journey to face Plymouth Argyle, for whom Graham Carey remains a consistent performer, and secured a two nil victory to maintain their promotion challenge.
Scottish Premiership
The Edinburgh ‘Derby’ between Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian at Tynecastle, headlined the Scottish Premiership early this Saturday afternoon. Jake Mulraney has been in fine form recently and started again this afternoon for the hosts, with Leeds United loanee Conor Shaughnessy together with goalkeeper Colin Doyle and striker Aiden Keena on the substitute bench. The visitors included Daryl Horgan in their starting eleven and he made quite an impact by scoring both goals as his side came from behind to secure a two one victory.