Thursday
West Ham United played out a one all draw with French side Lyon at the London Stadium in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final. The ‘Hammers’ played the second half with ten men following the dismissal of Cresswell just before the half-time break and are likely to be satisfied with the result in the circumstances. Darren Randolph was named on the substitute bench.
Wednesday
Struggling Premier League sides Burnley and Everton met at Turf Moor with Nathan Collins starting and Kevin Long on the ‘Clarets’ bench while Seamus Coleman was on the bench for the ‘Toffees’. Collins gave the hosts the lead on 12 minutes but the visitors equalised from the penalty spot six minutes later and took the lead on 41 minutes, again from the penalty spot. The second half brought a response from Burnley who scored twice for the victory which gives a lift to their survival hopes while drawing Everton closer to the relegation zone.
Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Aaron Connolly was on the Middlesbrough bench for the visit of runaway Championship leaders Fulham who scored the only goal for victory at the Riverside Stadium. Stuttering West Bromwich Albion named Dara O’Shea, Callum Robinson and loanee Jayson Molumby on their bench for the visit of second place AFC Bournemouth for whom Mark Travers was on net minding duty. The hosts scored twice early on and retained their lead throughout for victory. The Irish trio were all introduced from the bench during the latter stages of the contest.
Tuesday
The remaining Airtricity League Premier Division fixture postponed earlier in the season took place this evening with Sligo Rovers going down to a one nil defeat by visitors Bohemian in the Showgrounds.
Liverpool included Caoimhin Kelleher on their bench for their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Benfica which they won by three goals to one in Lisbon this evening.
The Championship marathon continued this evening with Millwall and Danny McNamara going down to a one nil defeat by visitors Swansea City who include Ryan Manning, Michael Obafemi and Fulham loanee Cyrus Christie in their side. Peterborough United duo, Jack Taylor, who started and 74th minute substitute Sam Szmodics contributed to their one all draw with visitors Luton Town and Peter Kioso. Preston North End include Alan Browne and Greg Cunningham in their starting eleven for their one nil victory over visitors and near neighbours Blackpool. Bramall Lane hosted the meeting of Sheffield United and QPR which saw John Egan and Enda Stevens start for the ‘Blades’ who won with the only goal. Loanee Conor Hourihane was an unused substitute for the victors while Keiren Westwood, Jimmy Dunne and loanee Jeff Hendrick started for the ‘Rs’ with Hendrick withdrawn on 68 minutes.
The League One journey is also a lengthy one and tonight MK Dons and their Irish trio, Warren O’Hora and loanees Conor Coventry and Troy Parrott defeated visitors Crewe Alexandra by two goals to one with Parrott and Coventry scoring the goals. Midfielder Mark Sykes and defender Luke McNally were in action with Oxford United who went down to a two one defeat at Morecambe. Will Keane started and scored for Wigan Athletic in their three nil success against visitors Accrington Stanley while Jamie McGrath was a 90th minute substitute. Loanee Gavin Bazunu started for Portsmouth together with Marcus Harness, Sean Raggett and another loanee Aiden O’Brien who scored their goal in a one all draw at Bolton Wanderers for whom Kieran Sadlier was their scorer from the penalty spot. Ronan Curtis and Shaun Williams were very late substitutes for ‘Pompey’.
Monday
Two of the Airtricity League Premier Division fixtures postponed during the early weeks of the season took place this evening with UCD going down to a two nil defeat by early leaders Derry City in The Bowl which sees the ‘Candystripes’ go six points clear at the summit while Finn Harps and Drogheda United played out a two all draw in Finn Park.
There was also a previously postponed Airtricity League First Division fixture played this evening with Treaty United defeating visitors Athlone Town by two goals to nil in the Markets Field.