Sunday
Ireland and Everton captain Seamus Coleman, having recovered from injury, was in the starting eleven for this afternoon’s Premier League engagement with West Ham United at Goodison Park which went the way of the visiting ‘Hammers’ by one goal to nil. There were many eyes on St James Park when Newcastle United, under their new stewardship, took on Tottenham Hotspur and they got off to a dream start with a goal inside three minutes. But that was as good as it got as the visitors took command and scored three times before the hosts got a very late consolation second goal. Ciaran Clark started for the hosts while Jeff Hendrick was unused on the substitute bench.
There was a noon kick-off time for the Championship meeting of Swansea City and Cardiff City at the Liberty Stadium. Ryan Manning, who was forced to withdraw from our international squad last week, started for the the hosts who secured a three nil victory. Mark McGuinness started for Mick McCarthy‘s ‘Blues’ who have been misfiring badly in recent weeks. James Collins was a 68th minute substitute for the visitors while Joel Bagan was an unused substitute.
Josh Cullen recovered from the injury he sustained on international duty last week and started for RSC Anderlecht who were held to as two all draw at St -Truidense VV in the Belgian First Division.
Zack Elbouzedi was in action with AIK Solna who went down to a one nil defeat at Hammarby IF in the Swedish Allsvenskan this Sunday afternoon.
Saturday
Goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher started for Liverpool in their five nil defeat of hosts Watford in the Premier League early on Saturday afternoon and had even less involvement that his international stint last Tuesday evening. Defender Nathan Collins started for Burnley in their two nil defeat at Manchester City while long time injury absentee Kevin Long returned on the substitute bench. Andrew Omobamidele was unused while Adam Idah was a 90th minute substitute as Norwich City played out a scoreless draw with visitors Brighton & Hove Albion who included Shane Duffy in their starting eleven with Aaron Connolly unused on the bench. Shane Long was an unused substitute for Southampton who defeated visitors Leeds United by one goal to nil in St Mary’s Stadium.
Jamie McGrath started alongside loanee Connor Ronan for St Mirren who defeated their hosts Ross County by three goals to two in the Scottish Premiership. Liam Scales was again an unused substitute for Glasgow Celtic who secured a two nil victory at Motherwell.
Callum O’Dowda started for Bristol City who went down to a two nil defeat by AFC Bournemouth at Ashton Gate in the Championship where Mark Travers and Gavin Kilkenny both started for the visitors. West Ham United loanee Conor Coventry was an unused substitute for Peterborough United who went down to a two nil defeat at Middlesbrough while midfielder Jack Taylor and Sammy Szmodics, in an unusual striking role, both started for the visitors. Alan Browne started for Preston North End who played out a scoreless draw with visitors Derby County at Deepdale where Jason Knight and Festy Ebosele started for the visiting ‘Rams’ while Louie Watson was an unused substitute. John Egan and Enda Stevens started for Sheffield United with Aston Villa loanee Conor Hourihane a 71st minute substitute in their two one defeat of visitors Stoke City. International retiree David McGoldrick was a 77th minute substitute for the ‘Blades’ set up the first and scored the winner with an assist from Enda Stevens.
In League One, James McClean scored twice and set up Will Keane for the opener as Wigan Athletic defeated their hosts Bolton Wanderers by four goals to nil. Daryl Horgan was a 77th minute substitute for Wycombe Wanderers who defeated their hosts Doncaster Rovers by two goals to nil. Anthony Scully started for Lincoln City who defeated visitors Charlton Athletic and Harry Arter by two goals to one. Chiedoze Ogbene was a54th minute substitute and Joshua Kayode was introduced on 81 minutes by Rotherham United who defeated visitors Portsmouth and Gavin Bazunu by four goals to one. Tottenham Hotspur loanee Troy Parrott started for MK Dons but was withdrawn after 75 minutes of their one nil defeat at Shrewsbury Town.
Friday
Five goal International week striker Callum Robinson started for his his club West Bromwich Albion but was withdrawn at half-time of a very poor Championship match against Birmingham City at the Hawthorns which the hosts won with the only goal on Friday evening. Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Jayson Molumby, who missed the international week through suspension, was a 62nd minute substitute for the ‘Baggies’ while one time Ireland striker hope Scott Hogan started for the visiting ‘Blues’.
There was significant Irish involvement in the League One fixture between Burton Albion and Morecambe at the Pirelli Stadium. The hosts recovered from the concession of a third minute goal to prevail by three goals to two. Midfielder Thomas O’Connor scored twice for the victors while Conor Shaughnessy scored the other goal. For the visitors, Anthony O’Connor provided the assist for their late consolation goal while Ryan Delaney was unused on the substitute bench.