Thursday
Burnley included Robbie Brady, Kevin Long and Jimmy Dunne in their side for the visit of Sheffield United for whom David McGoldrick started and scored after 4 minutes at Turf Moor on Thursday evening. However, it was not enough as the ‘Clarets’ equalised and took the contest to a penalty shoot-out where they prevailed on a 5-4 scoreline with Brady converting the winning kick.
Wolverhampton Wanderers hosted Championship side Stoke City and suffered a shock one nil defeat to exit the competition. Nathan Collins and James McClean both started for the successful visitors.
Brighton & Hove Albion included Jayson Molumby in an unfamiliar right wing back role as they secured a comfortable four nil victory over League One Portsmouth at the Amex Stadium. Ronan Curtis, Marcus Harness and Sean Raggett all started for the visitors.
Wednesday
The second round of the 2020/21 EFL(Carabao)Cup continued on Wednesday evening with West Bromwich Albion defeating newly promoted League Two side Harrowgate Town by three goals to nil at the Hawthorns. Dara O’Shea started in central defence for the ‘Baggies’ while Calum Robinson was a 73rd minute substitute and scored four minutes later. Alan Judge was a 69th minute substitute for Ipswich Town who lost to the only goal from visitors Fulham at Portman Road. Seamus Coleman was an unused substitute for Everton who overcame League Two Salford City by three goals to nil in Goodison Park. Ireland eligible goalkeeper Max O’Leary started for Bristol City who defeated Northampton Town by four goals to nil at Ashton Gate. Southampton suffered a two nil home defeat by Brentford with Shane Long and Michael Obafemi only introduced from the substitute bench on 84 minutes while Will Smallbone remained unused.
Scottish Premier League
Shane Duffy both started and scored his second goal for Glasgow Celtic who defeated St Mirren by two goals to one at Love Street in the Scottish Premier League on Wednesday evening. The hosts, who are managed by Jim Goodwin, included five Irish men in their starting eleven – Conor McCarthy, Joe Shaughnessy, Sam Foley, Jamie McGrath and Dylan Connolly.
Tuesday
The second round of the 2020/21 EFL(Carabao)Cup commenced on Tuesday evening with James Collins an unused substitute for Luton Town who scored the only goal to defeat their hosts Reading. Jason Knight started and scored for Derby County but his effort was in vain as visitors Preston North End, who included Alan Browne and Sean Maguire in their starting eleven, scored twice in the latter stages at Pride Park. Lincoln City included Anthony Scully in their starting eleven and he scored after six minutes of their crushing five nil victory at Bradford City where Zak Elbouzedi and Sean Roughan were unused substitutes. Oxford United included Anthony Forde in their starting eleven with Liam Kelly a 66th minute substitute as they exited the competition in a three nil penalty shoot-out following a one all draw with visitors Watford. The contest between Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers saw Ciaran Clark return to the ‘Magpies’ starting eleven with Jeff Hendrick an unused substitute in their one nil victory over their visitors who included Daragh Lenihan and Derrick Williams in their starting eleven. Rochdale included Gavin Bazunu in their starting eleven for the two nil defeat by visitors Sheffield Wednesday while West Ham United included Darren Randolph and Josh Cullen in their starting eleven with Conor Coventry an 84th minute substitute in their three nil victory over visitors Charlton Athletic. James McCarthy was an unused substitute for Crystal Palace who exited the competition in an 11-10 penalty shoot-out following a scoreless draw at AFC Bournemouth for whom Mark Travers and Gavin Kilkenny were unused substitutes. Glenn Whelan and Paddy Madden started for Fleetwood Town and Madden opened the scoring in their two one home victory over Port Vale.