Premier League
First into Premier League action on Saturday afternoon were Brighton & Hove Albion who welcomed Tottenham Hotspur to the Amex Stadium. Nineteen year old Galway man Aaron Connelly started his first Premier League fixture for the hosts and emerged with all the plaudits following two goals in a ‘man of the match’ performance as the ‘Seagulls’ dismantled their visitors in a comfortable three nil victory. Jeff Hendrick scored the only goal for Burnley in their victory over Turf Moor visitors Everton who had captain Seamus Coleman dismissed after 56 minutes. Robbie Brady and Kevin Long were unused substitutes for the host ‘Clarets’. Conor Hourihane was on the scoresheet for Aston Villa who crushed their hosts Norwich City by five goals to one at Carrow Road where Adam Idah was an unused substitute for the vanquished hosts. John Egan, Enda Stevens and Callum Robinson all started for Sheffield United who played out a scoreless draw at Watford. James McCarthy got his first start and completed 81 minutes for Crystal Palace who defeated their hosts West Ham United by two goals to one at the London Stadium.
On Sunday afternoon, Ciaran Clark started his first Premier League match of the season for Newcastle United who defeated their visitors Manchester United with the only goal at St James Park. Matt Doherty was a 68th minute substitute for Wolverhampton Wanderers who shocked hosts Manchester City with a two nil victory at the Etihad Stadium. Shane Long started for Southampton and was replaced by Michael Obafemi after seventy three minutes of their four one defeat by Chelsea at St Mary’s Stadium.
Championship
Midfielder Daniel Crowley caught the eye for Birmingham City who defeated visitors Middlesbrough and Darren Randolph by two goals to one in the Championship at St Andrew’s on Friday evening.
Fulham and Charlton Athletic shared the spoils in a two all draw at Craven Cottage early on Saturday afternoon where Harry Arter started for the hosts but was substituted at half time while Josh Cullen was again in splendid form for the visitors. Callum O’Dowda started for Bristol City who defeated visitors Reading with the only goal at Ashton Gate where Josh Barrett was a 74th minute substitute for the visiting ‘Royals’. Jason Knight was an unused substitute for Derby County who defeated visitors Luton Town and James Collins by two goals to nil at Pride Park. Loanee Jayson Molumby started for Millwall and Shaun Williams was an early substitute as the ‘Lions’ defeated visitors Leeds United by two goals to one at the new Den. Alex Pearce and Aiden O’Brien were unused substitutes for the hosts. Alan Browne, Sean Maguire and Joe Rafferty all started for Preston North End who crushed visitors Barnsley by five goals to one at Deepdale. Ryan Manning was again in fine form for QPR who defeated visitors Blackburn Rovers by four goals to two at Loftus Road. Greg Cunningham and Darragh Lenihan were both forced off through injury but Derrick Williams survived to the end and was summoned to replace his two colleagues in the Ireland squad. Scott Hogan was a 65th minute substitute for Stoke City who stunned pre match leaders Swansea City with a two one success at the Liberty Stadium where Hogan scored the late winner. Dara O’Shea was an unused substitute for new leaders West Bromwich Albion who defeated visitors Cardiff City by four goals to two at the Hawthorns.
League One
Alan Judge was an unused substitute for Ipswich Town who extended their lead at the League One summit with the only goal at Fleetwood Town. Loanee goalkeeper Kieran O’Hara kept a clean sheet for Burton Albion who secured a three nil victory at MK Dons.
Scottish Premiership
Glenn Whelan was in action for Heart of Midlothian who went down to a one nil Tynecastle defeat by vistors Kilmarnaock in the Scottish Premiership. Jake Mulraney also started for the hosts and was replaced by Aiden Keena after eighty minutes while Colin Doyle was unsed on the substitute bench. The victorious visitors had former underage internationals Gary Dicker and Alan Power in their side.