Another busy weekend overseas…10/04/2022

 

Sunday
The battle for survival at the foot of the Premier League continued at Carrow Road on Sunday afternoon with Norwich City defeating Burnley by two goals to nil. Nathan Collins started for the ‘Clarets’ with Kevin Long unused on their substitute bench.  The top two, Manchester City and Liverpool went head to head in the Etihad Stadium where they played out a two all draw. Caoimhin Kelleher was unused on the visiting substitute bench.

Midfielder Connor Ronan, on loan at St Mirren from Wolverhampton Wanderers, was in action for his side who went down to a four nil defeat by visitors Glasgow Rangers in the Scottish Premiership at noon on Sunday.

Midfielder Josh Cullen was in action with RSC Anderlecht who secured  a three two victory at KV Kortrijk this afternoon to go third in the Belgian First Division.

Ireland manager Stephen Kenny is keeping an eye on his former U21 player Zack Elbouzedi who was a second half substitute for AIK Solna who scored  the only goal to defeat IFK Norrkoping in the Swedish Allsvenskan this afternoon.

Saturday
Everton included Seamus Coleman in their side for their one nil Premier League defeat of visitors Manchester United early  on Saturday afternoon. Will Smallbone was an unused substitute for Southampton who crashed  to a six nil defeat by visitors  Chelsea. The late kick-off saw Aston Villa go down to a four nil defeat by an improving Tottenham Hotspur side for whom Matt Doherty started but was forced off through injury after just 21 minutes.

Current leaders Glasgow Celtic crushed visitors St Johnstone by seven goals to nil in the Scottish Premiership at Celtic Park where James McCarthy was a 74th minute substitute for the hosts while Dan Cleary and John Mahon were unused substitutes for the visitors. The ‘Edinburgh Derby’ saw Heart of Midlothian defeat Hibernian by three goals to one with Aaron McEneff a 68th minute substitute while Jake Doyle-Hayes started for the visitors but was withdrawn on 70 minutes.  Motherwell included Jake Carroll in their starting eleven with Ross Tierney introduced from the bench on 67 minutes as they recovered  from a two goal deficit to earn a draw at Livingston.

There was a 12.45pm kick-off  for the Championship meeting of Sheffield United and AFC Bournemouth which ended scoreless. John Egan and Enda Stevens started and loanee Conor Hourihane was an 81st minute substitute for the hosts while Mark Travers started for the visitors and Robbie Brady was an 89th minute substitute. Max O’Leary was involved with our senior squad last week  but was on substitute duty for Bristol City who were held to a one all draw by visitors Peterborough United for whom Jack Taylor and Sam Szmodics both started at Ashton Gate. Loanee Aaron Connolly was in the Middlesbrough side which suffered an unexpected one nil defeat by visitors Hull City and Sean McLaughlin. The City Ground saw hosts Nottingham Forest defeat Birmingham City and Scott Hogan by two goals to nil.   Alan Browne and Greg Cunningham started for Preston North End and Sean Maguire was a half-time substitute in their two one victory over visitors QPR who included Keiren Westwood and  Jimmy Dunne in their side. Cardiff City included Joel Bagan in their starting eleven with Mark McGuinness  an unused  substitute as they came from behind to secure a two one victory at Reading. Michael Obafemi and loanee Cyrus Christie were in the Swansea City side which defeated visitors Derby County by two goals to one, The ‘Rams’ included Eiran Cashin in their starting eleven while Jason Knight and  Festy Ebosele were introduced during the second half. West Bromwich Albion included loanee Jayson Molumby in their starting eleven with Callum Robinson a 58th minute substitute who scored  their goal in a  three one defeat by visitors Stoke City for whom Jack Bonham was in goal while Dara O’Shea was an unused substitute for the ‘Baggies’.

MK Dons continued their pursuit of promotion from League One with a one all draw at AFC Wimbledon on Saturday afternoon. Defender Warren O’Hora and loanees Conor Coventry and Troy Parrott started for the ‘Dons’, with Parrott scoring their goal. Loanees Gavin Bazunu and Aiden O’Brien together with Ronan Curtis, Marcus Harness, Sean Raggett  and Shaun Williams all started  for Portsmouth who went down to a one nil defeat at Cheltenham Town. U21 striker Ademipo Odubeko, on loan at Doncaster Rovers from West Ham United, was a 75th minute substitute for the hosts who defeated visitors Crewe Alexandra by two goals to nil. Anthony Scully scored after 14 minutes for Lincoln City but the ‘Imps’ went down to a three one defeat by promotion chasing Wigan Athletic who included Will Keane, who scored, in their starting eleven while Jamie McGrath was an unused substitute. James McClean was absent through injury which may side line him for some considerable time. Mark Sykes and Luke McNally were in the Oxford United side which went down to a two one defeat by visitors Sunderland and Dennis Cirkin. EFL Trophy winners Rotherham United suffered  a setback in their pursuit of promotion with a one nil home defeat by Charlton Athletic. Chiedoze Ogbene was in action for the ‘Millers’ while Joshua Kayode was an unused substitute.

Teenage striker Callum Kavanagh, on loan from Middlesbrough, was in the Harrogate Town side which went down to a two nil League Two defeat at Salford City. U21 defender Jake O’Brien, on loan from Crystal Palace, was an unused substitute for Swindon Town who suffered  a one nil defeat by visitors Newport County. Another of our U21 players, Lee O’Connor, was in action for Tranmere Rovers who were held to a one all draw by visitors Bristol Rovers.

Our U21 connection continued with Oisin McEntee, on loan at Greenock Morton from Newcastle United, in Scottish Championship action for their one nil victory at Raith Rovers who included Stoke City loanee Ethan Varian in their starting eleven.