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There was a full Championship programme on St Stephen’s Day with current leaders Leeds United coming from behind and scoring twice in added time to defeat their visitors Blackburn Rovers by three goals to two at Elland Road. Darragh Lenihan and Derrick Williams both started for the ‘Riversiders’ with Williams conceding an ‘own goal’ for the Leeds opener. Improving Birmingham City moved into seventh place with a two nil victory over visitors Stoke City who included James McClean in their starting eleven. The host ‘Blues’ had the in-form Lukas Jutkiewicz leading their line and he may be another Mick McCarthy target for Ireland assuming his eligibility is confirmed. Callum O’Dowda started for Bristol City and Alan Judge was a late substitute for Brentford in their one all draw at Ashton Gate. Goalkeepers Darren Randolph for Middlesbrough and Keiren Westwood for their visitors Sheffield Wednesday were in opposition with Westwood playing just his second match of the season and keeping his second clean sheet in a one nil victory for the ‘Owls’. Alan Browne was again on the scoresheet for Preston North End but to no avail as visitors Hull City secured a two one victory. The Sheffield United quartet of John Egan, Enda Stevens, David McGoldrick and Jack O’Connell all started the three one victory over visitors Derby County and Richard Keogh with McGoldrick again on the scoresheet. Conor Hourihane scored the only goal for Aston Villa as they overcame their hosts Swansea City. Glenn Whelan also started for the visitors but Scott Hogan remained unused on the substitute bench.  

Everton included Seamus Coleman in their starting eleven for the Goodison Park visit of Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon. The ‘Toffees’ opened brightly and took an early lead but their optimism was short lived as they were emphatically put to the sword by their buoyant visitors who emerged victorious by six goals to two. The fit again James McCarthy may find himself ever closer to a first team return following this afternoon’s defensive midfield frailties.
The Aston Villa duo of Conor Hourihane and Glenn Whelan both started in the early kick-off Championship contest with high flying Leeds United at Villa Park where the hosts led by two goals to nil at half-time with Hourihane scoring the second. There was to be bitter disappointment however for the hosts as a vibrant visiting side scored three times in the second half for victory and a return to the summit of the division. Scott Hogan was introduced from the bench for the final ten minutes but could make little impression for a bitterly disappointed home side.  

There was a 12.30pm kick-off for Burnley who included Jeff Hendrick and Kevin Long in their starting eleven with injury ruling out Robbie Brady in their three one defeat by Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon. Injury also ruled out Ciaran Clark for Newcastle United who played out a scoreless draw with visitors Fulham who included Cyrus Christie in their starting eleven at St James Park while Declan Rice started for West Ham United who went down to a two nil home defeat by Watford at the London Stadium. Michael Obafemi was introduced from the Southampton bench at Huddersfield Town on sixty five minutes and six minutes later scored the decisive third goal which ensured a three one success for the visiting ‘Saints’. There was a 5.30pm kick-off between  Cardiff City and visitors Manchester United who trounced their hosts by five goals to one. Harry Arter and Greg Cunningham both started for the vanquished ‘Bluebirds’.

The Championship continued it’s lengthy journey on Saturday afternoon with Blackburn Rovers, who included Darragh Lenihan in their starting eleven with Derrick Williams a half-time substitute, going down to a one nil defeat by visitors Norwich City at Ewood Park while Brentford, with Alan Judge an eightieth minute substitute, defeating visitors Bolton Wanderers by one goal to nil at Griffin Park. Derby County included Richard Keogh in defence as they were held to a one all draw by visitors Bristol City at Pride Park where Callum O’Dowda was in action for the visitors. The Sheffield United quartet of John Egan, Jack O’Connell, Enda Stevens and David McGoldrick all started the one all draw with Ipswich Town at Portman Road. Middlesbrough and Darren Randolph recovered from their shock League Cup defeat on Tuesday night with a one nil victory over Reading at the Madejski Stadium. Rotherham United include Richie Towell, Anthony Forde and  Ryan Manning in their starting eleven as they crashed to a four nil defeat by visitors West Bromwich Albion while Preston North End introduced Alan Browne and Graham Burke from the bench in the second half of their one nil defeat by struggling Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough where Keiren Westwood was restored to action after a lengthy absence. Stoke City included James McClean in their side for their one nil victory over visitors Millwall for whom Aiden O’Brien was a seventy first minute substitute at the bet365 Stadium.
League One leaders Portsmouth defeated visitors Sunderland by three goals to one at Fratton Park with Ronan Curtis scoring the second goal on fifty three minutes.  

Matt Doherty and his Wolverhampton Wanderers colleagues went down to a two nil defeat by current Premier League leaders Liverpool at Molineaux on Friday evening. Dubliner Doherty had a particularly strong first half and while less involved in the second period should be reasonably happy with his performance. The visiting ‘Reds’ monopolised possession and provided clinical finishing for both of their goals while the hosts created a number of fine opportunities to score but their finishing was quite amiss. 

The SSE Airtricity League fixtures for the 2019 season have been released this afternoon.

The Premier Division kicks off on Friday the 15th February 2019 with the following opening fixtures.
Bohemian v Finn Harps
Derry City v UCD
Dundalk v Sligo Rovers
St Patrick’s Athletic v Cork City
Waterford v Shamrock Rovers

The First Division will commence one week later on Friday the 22nd February 2019 with the following opening fixtures.
Athlone Town v Wexford
Cabinteely v Bray Wanderers
Drogheda United v Cobh Ramblers
Galway United v Shelbourne
Limerick v Longford Town

Darren Randolph, who was rested in the earlier rounds, started for Middlesbrough, who currently sit sixth in the Championship, as they went down to a shock one nil home defeat in this evening’s English Football League Cup quarter-Final against mid-table League One side Burton Albion who included former Ireland midfielder Stephen Quinn in their starting eleven with former Ireland U21 defender Damian McCrory on the substitute bench.