Friday
There was Championship action on Friday evening with the top two, Fulham and AFC Bournemouth playing out an exciting one all draw at Craven Cottage. Mark Travers was in excellent form for the visiting ‘Cherries, while Robbie Brady made his debut as an 88th minute substitute. There was disappointment for young Gavin Kilkenny who was unused on the substitute bench.
The second round of the FA Cup saw Rotherham United progress to round three with a one nil victory over visitors Stockport County. Chiedoze Ogbene started for the hosts while Joshua Kayode was an unused substitute.
Thursday
There was more Premier League action on Thursday night with Tottenham Hotspur defeating visitors Brentford by two goals to nil at the London Stadium where Matt Doherty was again unused on the host substitute bench.
The Scottish Premiership saw Glasgow Celtic, who included James McCarthy on their substitute bench, score the only goal to defeat visitors Heart of Midlothian for whom Aaron McEneff started in midfield. There was no place in the home squad for Liam Scales which must be of some concern for the Dubliner given that two regular defenders are currently unavailable through injury
Wednesday
The Premier League continued on Wednesday evening with Southampton, who named Shane Long and Will Smallbone on their substitute bench, playing out a two all draw with visitors Leicester City at St Mary’s Stadium. West Ham United welcomed Brighton & Hove Albion, for whom Shane Duffy was named on their substitute bench and introduced to the action on 36 minutes at the London Stadium. The ‘Hammers’ took an early lead but the the visiting ‘Seagulls’ equalised in the closing minutes with substitute Duffy named ‘man of the match’. Wolverhampton Wanderers played out a scoreless draw with visitors Burnley who included Nathan Collins in their starting eleven with Kevin Long on the substitute bench. The ‘Merseyside Derby’ saw Seamus Coleman in action for Everton who went down to a four one defeat while Caoimhin Kelleher was named on the Liverpool bench at Goodison Park.
The Scottish Premiership featured St Mirren duo Jamie McGrath and Connor Ronan in action against visitors Ross County in a contest which finished scoreless with Ronan named ‘man of the match’.
Young defender Ciaran Brennan and QPR loanee Olamide Shodipo were in the Sheffield Wednesday starting eleven for their EFL Trophy encounter with visitors Hartlepool United at Hillsborough where the visitors secured a three nil victory.
Tuesday
The ninth minute dismissal of Ciaran Clark left Newcastle United with a mountain to climb in their crucial Premier League relegation battle with fellow strugglers Norwich City at St James Park this Tuesday evening. The ‘Magpies’ took the lead just after the hour mark from the penalty spot but were unable to hold on as the visiting ‘Canaries’ equalised on 79 minutes to secure a one all draw. Adam Idah was a 67th minute substitute for the visitors while Andrew Omobamidele remained unused on the bench as did Jeff Hendrick for the hosts.
There was EFL Trophy action for Joshua Kayode and Kieran Sadlier with Rotherham United who progressed to the next round with a 5-3 penalty shoot-out success against visitors Port Vale following a one all draw with Sadlier a successful penalty taker. MK Dons also progressed to the next stage with a 5-4 penalty shoot-out success at Leyton Orient following a scoreless draw. Troy Parrott started this evening but was dismissed in the first minute of added time at the end of the match.
Monday
There was late disappointment for the Irish at Derby County as they went down to a two one Championship defeat by visitors QPR in Pride Park this Monday evening. Jason Knight started for the ‘Rams’ who took an early lead which they held until the 50th minute when QPR equalised. Festy Ebosele replaced Knight on 79 minutes as their side suffered anguish in the closing minutes with the concession of the winning goal. Jimmy Dunne started in central defence for the victors while young Louie Watson was unused on the home bench.
Zack Elbouzedi continued his impressive form for Swedish Allsvenskan side AIK Solna who climbed to second on the table with a four two victory at fourth place IF Elfsborg. The victors twice came from behind with Elbouzedi providing the assist for the first equaliser.