Monday
Daragh Lenihan was in Championship action for Blackburn Rovers on Monday evening and was joined by fellow defender Derrick Williams who returned to action following his injury layoff. The contest with bottom side Wigan Athletic finished scoreless at Ewood Park.
Sunday
Callum O’Dowda was in Championship action for Bristol City on Sunday afternoon as they went down to a one nil defeat at Sheffield Wednesday for whom Keiren Westwood was named on the substitute bench following his six match injury absence.
Saturday
The pre Christmas Saturday in the Premier League saw Aston Villa, with Conor Hourihane in their starting eleven, go down to a three one home defeat by visitors Southampton for whom Shane Long started with Michael Obafemi replacing him on 82 minutes. Gavin Kilkenny was an unused substitute for AFC Bournemouth who lost to the only goal from their visitors Burnley for whom Jeff Hendrick started but was withdrawn on 65 minutes while Robbie Brady was introduced from the bench on 82 minutes with Kevin Long an unused substitute. Brighton & Hove Albion introduced fit again Aaron Connolly from the bench at half-time in their one nil home defeat by visitors Sheffield United while Shane Duffy was an unused substitute. John Egan, Enda Stevens and David McGoldrick all completed ninety minutes for the victorious ‘Blades’ while fit again Callum Robinson was an unused substitute. Newcastle United scored the only goal to defeat visitors Crystal Palace for whom James McCarthy completed the full 90 minutes at St James Park. Norwich City went down to a two one defeat by visitors Wolverhampton Wanderers for whom Matt Doherty was in action at Carrow Road.
There was an early (12.30pm) Championship kick-off for Preston North End who included Alan Browne and Sean Maguire in their side as they played out a scoreless draw at Cardiff City. Cyrus Christie retained his starting position for Fulham who defeated Leeds United by two goals to one at Craven Cottage. Luton Town had James Collins in their side as they went down to a one nil home defeat by visitors Swansea City while Millwall had Jayson Molumby and Shaun Williams in their starting eleven as they went down to a two one home defeat by Barnsley at the New Den. Sixtieth minute substitute Aiden O’Brien scored the goal for the ‘Lions’. Jason Knight completed the full ninety minutes for Derby County who suffered a three nil defeat at Reading after having a defender red carded after just four minutes. Dara O’Shea was a half-time substitute for current leaders West Bromwich Albion who came from behind to draw one each with visitors Brentford.
League One saw Gillingham, who included Southampton loanee Thomas O’Connor in their starting eleven, defeat visitors MK Dons by three goals to one in the early kick-off at Priestfield. Portsmouth defeated Fratton Park visitors Ipswich Town by one goal to nil with Ronan Curtis the goalscorer while Alan Judge was a 38th minute substitute for the ‘Tractor Boys’.