Premier League
There was an early Saturday afternoon start for Sheffield United and their Irish trio of John Egan, Enda Stevens and Callum Robinson as they went down to a disappointing and undeserved one nil defeat by Premier League leaders Liverpool at Bramall Lane. The winning goal came courtesy of a calamitous error from the ‘Blades’ goalkeeper. Enda Stevens, who misses our match in Georgia through suspension, was excellent throughout while John Egan was commanding in central defence. Goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher was named on the substitute bench for the visitors. Conor Hourihane was included in the Aston Villa starting eleven for the two all draw with visitors Burnley for whom Jeff Hendrick started with Robbie Brady an 83rd minute substitute. Kevin Long did not make the matchday squad. Aaron Connolly was a 65th minute substitute for Brighton & Hove Albion who went down to a two nil defeat by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Shane Long and Michael Obafemi were both very late substitutes for Southampton who went down to a two one defeat at Tottenham Hotspur. Matt Doherty scored after 18 minutes for Wolverhampton Wanderers who defeated visitors Watford by two goals to nil. James McCarthy was a 79th minute substitute for Crystal Palace who defeated Norwich City by two goals to nil at Selhurst Park. Adam Idah was an unused substitute for the ‘Canaries’. The late kick-off between Everton and Manchester City went the way of the visitors by three goals to one at Goodison Park. Despite the result, the ‘Toffees’ captain Seamus Coleman had an excellent game.
Championship
There was an early 12.30pm start for QPR and WBA who met at Loftus Road in the Championship. Ryan Manning was in action for the hosts who went down to a two nil defeat. Our U21 central defensive duo, Conor Masterson and Dara O’Shea, were unused on their respective substitute benches. The Blackburn Rovers trio of Greg Cunningham, Daragh Lenihan and Derrick Williams started against James Collins who scored for visitors Luton Town who claimed a two one success. Josh Cullen was in the Charlton Athletic side who scored the only goal to defeat visitors Leeds United at The Valley. Teenager Jason Knight was a very late substitute for Derby County who scored a three two success over visitors Birmingham City and Daniel Crowley. The Millwall trio of Aiden O’Brien, Alex Pearce and Shaun Williams started their one all draw at Huddersfield Town with loanee Jayson Molumby unused on the substitute bench. Goalkeepers Darren Randolph and Keiren Westwood were in opposition when Middlesbrough played host to Sheffield Wednesday at the Riverside Stadium. Westwood enjoyed much the happier afternoon as the ‘Owls’ cruised to a four one victory. The Preston North End duo of Sean Maguire and Joe Rafferty started with Alan Browne a 62nd minute substitute for the visit of Bristol City for whom Callum O’Dowda was also a 62nd minute substitute in a three all draw. U21 midfielder Josh Barrett was a half-time substitute for Reading who came from behind to earn a one all draw at Swansea City.
League One
Alan Judge started for current League One leaders Ipswich Town who increased their lead at the summit with a four one victory over Tranmere Rovers at Portman Road while Ronan Curtis was withdrawn by Portsmouth after 62 minutes of their one nil victory over visitors Bolton Wanderers at Fratton Park.
Scottish Premier League
Glenn Whelan started for Heart of Midlothian alongside Jake Mulraney in the Scottish Premier League at St Mirren where the contest ended scoreless. Colin Doyle and Aiden Keena were both unused on the ‘Jam Tarts’ substitute bench.