Football action on Sunday afternoon…23/12/2018

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.