Sunday
The Premier League continued on Sunday afternoon with Aston Villa going down to a three two added time defeat by visitors Tottenham Hotspur. Conor Hourihane was an unused substitute for the hosts. Later in the afternoon, Arsenal defeated visitors Newcastle United by four goals to nil. Ciaran Clark was in central defence for the ‘Magpies’ but suffer a nasty looking ankle injury and was withdrawn after 83 minutes.
Saturday
The Premier League continued on Saturday afternoon with Southampton going down to a two one home defeat by visitors Burnley in a 12.30pm kick-off at St Mary’s Stadium. The hosts included Shane Long in their starting eleven with Michael Obafemi a 73rd minute substitute and Will Smallbone unused on the bench while the visiting ‘Clarets’ included Jeff Hendrick in their starting eleven with Robbie Brady an unused substitute.
Current leaders West Bromwich Albion briefly extended their lead at the summit of the Championship with a two all draw with visitors Nottingham Forest in the early kick-off at the Hawthorns. Ireland U21 defender Dara O’Shea and loanee Callum Robinson were in action for the ‘Baggies’ with Robinson scoring the opening goal after 37 minutes. Birmingham City loanee Scott Hogan, who has rediscovered his goal scoring form with the ‘Blues’, was in action at St Andrew’s in the one all draw with visitors Brentford, the club with which he came to prominence three seasons ago. West Ham United loanee Josh Cullen was in midfield action with his loan club Charlton Athletic who went down to a two nil defeat by visitors Blackburn Rovers and Daragh Lenihan at the Valley. Jason Knight was unused on the bench for Derby County who were held to a one all draw by Huddersfield Town at Pride Park. Harry Arter was a 54th minute substitute while Cyrus Christie was unused by Fulham who suffered a shock three nil defeat by visitors Barnsley at Craven Cottage. Callum O’Dowda was an early substitute for Bristol City who went down to a one nil defeat at Leeds United. James Collins started for Luton Town who shocked Middlesbrough with the only goal at the Riverside Stadium. Alan Browne started but was substituted on 65 minutes while Sean Maguire was introduced form the bench after 76 minutes as their Preston North End lost to the only goal from visitors Millwall for whom Jayson Molumby and Alex Pearce started while Aiden O’Brien was unused on the substitute bench. Queens Park Rangers included Ryan Manning in their starting eleven with Conor Masterson unused on the substitute bench for the four two victory over visitors Stoke City for whom James McClean was absent after suffering a medial ligament knee injury in Wednesday night’s defeat by Preston North End while Nathan Collins was unused on the substitute bench.
In League One, Accrington Stanley secured a four three success over visitors Lincoln City, who included Irish U21 international Anthony Scully, who opened the scoring, in their starting eleven with fellow U21 internationals Conor Coventry and Zack Elbouzedi unused on the substitute bench at the Crown Ground this afternoon. Bristol Rovers defeated visitors Blackpool by two goals to one at the Memorial Ground where two further U21 internationals, Josh Barrett and Connor Ronan were in opposition. Glenn Whelan and Paddy Madden were in the Fleetwood Town side which defeated in-form visitors Peterborough United and their U21 international midfielder Jack Taylor by two goals to one. Yet another U21 squad member, Thomas O’Connor was in the Gillingham side who also secured a two one success over visitors Doncaster Rovers and Kieran Sadlier. Ipswich Town had Alan Judge in their starting eleven and he scored in their four one success against visitors Burton Albion for whom goalkeeper Kieran O’Hara was forced off through injury just before half-time. In form Portsmouth included Ronan Curtis in their starting eleven for the two nil defeat of visitors Shrewsbury Town, for whom loanee goalkeeper Max O’Leary returned to a starting position. Leaders Rotherham United included Chiedoze Ogbene in their starting eleven for the visit of AFC Wimbledon who secured an unexpected two all draw.
Friday
The Premier League meeting of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leicester City ended in a scoreless draw at Molineaux on Friday evening. The contest lacked sparkle with the crimson flow from a head injury sustained by Matt Doherty catching the eye on several occasions.
The Championship contest between Hull City and Swansea City at the KCOM Stadium saw eight goals shared with Sean McLoughlin retaining his starting position for the host ‘Tigers’.
The first semi-final of the Tunnocks Caramel Wafer Challenge Cup at Firhill Stadium between Partick Thistle and Raith Rovers ended in a two one victory for the visitors and disappointment for Ireland U21 international Lee O’Connor, who is on loan with the defeated hosts from Glasgow Celtic.