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In form Aston Villa had Conor Hourihane and Scott Hogan, who opened the scoring in their starting eleven for the three two Championship victory over visitors Burton Albion on Saturday afternoon. Second place Derby County had skipper Richard Keogh in defence for their three nil defeat of visitors Brentford for whom Alan Judge was a late substitute while Norwich City scored the only goal to defeat Middlesbrough (Darren Randolph) at Carrow Road. Preston North End came from behind, with Greg Cunningham scoring the equaliser and Alan Browne converting a penalty in their two one victory over visitors Hull City for whom David Meyler started with Will Keane a late substitute at Deepdale. Sunderland (John O’Shea and late substitute, Aiden McGeady) went down to a two nil defeat by visitors Ipswich Town (Stephen Gleeson) at the Stadium of Light. The late kick-off saw clear leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers (Matt Doherty) overcome Sheffield United (Enda Stevens) by three goals to nil at Molineaux.

The inclusion of Seamus Coleman in the Everton starting eleven and his completion of the full ninety minutes in the two one Premier League victory over visitors Leicester City this Wednesday evening gives a filip to Irish football. Newcastle United had Ciaran Clark in their starting eleven for the visit of Burnley who included Jeff Hendrick and Kevin Long in their starting eleven as the sides played out a one all draw at St James Park. Shane Long and Shane Duffy were in direct opposition when Southampton and South Coast rivals Brighton & Hove Albion played out a one all draw at St Marys Stadium. Also back in first team action was James McClean whose West Bromwich Albion went down to a three nil defeat at Manchester City.

The Premier League resumed on Tuesday evening with London rivals West Ham United and Crystal Palace in action at the London Stadium. Declan Rice has been in the news in recent hours with positive vibes now emanating in relation to his international commitment to Ireland. He completed the full ninety minutes this evening with our U21 captain Josh Cullen unused on the substitute bench as the sides played out a one all draw.

Aiden McGeady was a late substitute for Sunderland who went down to a three one Championship defeat at Birmingham City. Will Keane was a late substitute for Hull City in their scoreless draw with visitors Leeds United who lost Conor Shaughnessy to injury after just six minutes. Middlesbrough had Darren Randolph in their starting eleven with Cyrus Christie unused on the bench for the scoreless draw with visitors Sheffield Wednesday. Richard Keogh started and Alex Pearce was unused on the bench for Derby County who were held to a scoreless draw by Millwall at the Den. Nottingham Forest welcomed Preston North End to the City Ground where Alan Browne started with Daryl Horgan a very late substitute in their three nil victory. Enda Stevens started for Sheffield United who went down to a one nil defeat by visitors Aston Villa who had Conor Hourihane and Scott Hogan in their starting eleven with Glenn Whelan unused on the bench at Bramall Lane.

The FA Cup continued on Sunday afternoon when Chelsea comfortably defeated Newcastle United by three goals to nil at Stamford Bridge. Ciaran Clark started for the ‘Magpies’ but there was no squad place for Rob Elliot. The late kick-off saw Manchester City ease past their hosts Cardiff City by two goals to nil. Anthony Pilkington was a late substitute for the ‘Bluebirds’.

Nottingham Forest striker Daryl Murphy has announced his retirement from international football. The Waterford man earned thirty three caps and scored three goals, most notably the late equaliser against Serbia during the recent World Cup qualifying campaign. With ill health having already forced the retirement of Kevin Doyle, one wonders if another Waterford man John O’Shea may also be thinking along those lines while very limited match time for Wes Hoolihan at Norwich City may also trigger retirement thoughts.