Sunday
John Egan and Enda Stevens both started for Sheffield United with fit again David McGoldrick on the substitute bench for their Premier League encounter with visitors AFC Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon. The ‘Blades’ came from behind to secure a two one victory which moves them up to fifth place on the league Table.
Ireland manager Mick McCarthy was believed to be in attendance at the New Den on Sunday afternoon when Millwall played host to current Championship leaders West Bromwich Albion. Jayson Molumby, Shaun Williams and Aiden O’Brien started for the ‘Lions’ with Alex Pearce unused on the substitute bench while Dara O’Shea and loan signing Callum Robinson were named in the visitors starting eleven. In very difficult conditions the visiting ‘Baggies’ secured a deserved two nil victory to extend their lead at the summit to four points. The day was particularly memorable for Ireland U21 defender O’Shea who capped another fine display in an unfamiliar right back position with the second goal, his first for the club. For the hosts, his Ireland U21 captain Molumby produced another fine midfield display.
Saturday
Shane Duffy returned to the Brighton & Hove Albion starting eleven for their one all Premier League draw with visitors Watford on Saturday afternoon while Aaron Connolly was an unused substitute for the hosts. The early kick-off saw club captain Seamus Coleman return to the Everton starting eleven as they defeated visitors Crystal Palace by three goals to one at Goodison Park. James McCarthy was again in the starting eleven for Palace but was withdrawn on 68 minutes.
Alan Browne and Sean Maguire both started for Preston North End who secured a two one Championship victory in the early kick-off at Wigan Athletic. Cyrus Christie was an unused substitute for Fulham who defeated hosts Blackburn Rovers, captained by Daragh Lenihan, with the only goal at Ewood Park. Derrick Williams was an unused substitute for the home side. Conor Masterson was again in central defence for QPR who went down to a two nil defeat at Huddersfield Town while Ryan Manning was an unused substitute. James Collins was in the Luton Town which went went down to the only goal from Cardiff City at Kenilworth Road. James McClean opened the scoring for Stoke City who defeated visitors Charlton Athletic and Josh Cullen by three goals to one. Defender Nathan Collins was an unused substitute for the victorious ‘Potters’. Jason Knight started for Derby County who secured a three two victory at Swansea City but was withdrawn on 61 minutes. Former Cork City centre back Sean McLoughlin, who was on loan with Scottish Premiership side St Mirren during the first half of the season, made his Championship debut for Hull City in their one all draw at Reading this afternoon.
Glenn Whelan was in the Fleetwood Town side which secured a two one League One victory at AFC Wimbledon where 65th minute substitute Paddy Madden scored the winning goal. Kieran O’Hara kept a clean sheet for Burton Albion in their scoreless draw with visitors Gillingham who included Thomas O’Connor in their starting eleven. Jack Taylor was in midfield for Peterborough United who defeated visitors Oxford United by four goals to nil at London Road where Liam Kelly was a 67th minute substitute for the visitors. Ronan Curtis was in action for Portsmouth who secured a two nil victory over their hosts Tranmere Rovers. Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Connor Ronan was named ‘man of the match’ for Blackpool in their two one victory over Southend United this afternoon.
Transfer window signings Conor McCarthy and Jamie McGrath started for St Mirren who drew one each with visitors Motherwell in the fifth round of the Scottish FA Cup.
Friday
Transfer window loan signing Scott Hogan scored the opening goal for Birmingham City in their three one victory over Bristol City in the Championship at Ashton Gate on Friday evening. Callum O’Dowda was an unused substitute fir the defeated hosts.
There was disappointment for U21 internationals Conor Coventry and Zack Elbouzedi in League One on Friday evening as the West Ham United loanee was an unused substitute while the Dubliner was excluded from the Lincoln City matchday squad. The ‘Imps’ went down to a one nil home defeat by League leaders Rotherham United for whom Chiedoze Ogbene was in midfield action while Trevor Clarke was an unused substitute. Anthony Scully, who joined Lincoln in midweek from West Ham United, was a 72nd minute substitute.