League action during the week…05/02/2021

Friday
The top two sides in the Championship met on Friday evening with current leaders Norwich City visiting Swansea City. Loan signing Conor Hourihane started for the host ‘Swans’, scored an excellent  goal in their two nil victory and was named ‘man of the match’.  Ryan Manning was an unused substitute for the victors while Adam Idah was a 57th minute substitute for the visiting ‘Canaries’.

There was also League One action at Priestfield where Gillingham went down to a three nil defeat by visitors Lincoln City who go three points clear at the summit of the league table. Southampton loanee Thomas O’Connor was a 67th minute substitute for the hosts while Anthony Scully was unused on the visitors substitute bench.

Midweek signing Aaron McEneff, who joined Heart of Midlothian from Shamrock Rovers, was an unexpected inclusion on the ‘Jam Tarts’ substitute bench for their Scottish Championship clash with Ayr United at Somerton Park this evening. McEnefff was introduced on 66 minutes as his side secured a one nil success to extend their lead at the summit of the league table.

Thursday
There was another Premier League contest completed on Thursday evening with Tottenham Hotspur going down to a one nil defeat by London Stadium visitors Chelsea. Matt Doherty was again an unused substitute for the hosts. 

Wednesday
The Premier League continued on Wednesday evening with Burnley playing host to Manchester City at Turf Moor. Injury ruled out Robbie Brady while Kevin Long and Jimmy Dunne were unused on the substitute bench as the visitors secured  a two nil victory. Seamus Coleman was an unused substitute bench for Everton who defeated Leeds United by two goals to one at Elland Road. Aaron Connolly was an 83rd minute substitute for Brighton & Hove Albion who shocked  Liverpool with the only goal at Anfield where goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher started for the defeated hosts. Aston Villa went down to a three one defeat by visitors West Ham United for whom teenage striker Ademipo Odubeko was an unused substitute.

There was also Championship action with Rotherham United defeating visitors Derby County by three goals to nil. Jason Knight started for the defeated ‘Rams’ while teenager Louie Watson was an unused substitute.

Tuesday
Sheffield United and West Bromwich Albion, the two sides currently occupying the bottom positions in the Premier League met on Tuesday evening at Bramall Lane. The hosts came from behind to secure a vital two one victory to close the gap to their opponents. John Egan and David McGoldrick were in action with the ‘Blades’ while the visiting ‘Baggies’ included Dara O’Shea and Callum Robinson in their starting eleven. Ciaran Clark and Jeff Hendrick were in the Newcastle United side which went down to a two one defeat by visitors Crystal Palace at St James Park.

In the Championship, goalkeeper Keiren Westwood retained his starting role for Sheffield Wednesday who secured  a two one victory at AFC Bournemouth. Cyrus Christie and Nottingham Forest travelled to face Coventry City at St Andrews in Birmingham where they secured  a two one victory. Danny McNamara started for Millwall who played out a scoreless draw with visitors Norwich City for whom Adam Idah was a very late substitute. 

Loanees Mark Travers and Conor Masterson were in League One action with Swindon Town who scored the only goal to defeat Wigan Athletic at the County Ground.

There was EFL Trophy action on Tuesday evening with Sunderland progressing to the Northern semi-final stage with a three nil victory at MK Dons. Aiden O’Brien started for the ‘Makems’ and was replaced on 60 minutes by Aiden McGeady who scored shortly after his introduction while Warren O’Hora was in action with the hosts. Also through to the semi-final stage are Oxford United who defeated their visitors AFC Wimbledon by three goals to one. Anthony Forde, Olamide Shodipo, who scored, Liam Kelly and Mark Sykes all started for the victors. Tranmere Rovers included veteran goalkeeper Joe Murphy and Glasgow Celtic loanee Lee O’Connor in their side for their two one victory over visitors Peterborough United. The fourth quarter-final saw Lincoln City prevail 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out after they and their hosts Hull City played out a one all draw. Anthony Scully converted his penalty for the victors while Sean McLaughlin was in defence for the defeated hosts.