Friday
The Championship clash of West Bromwich Albion and Huddersfield Town at The Hawthorns saw a dramatic climax with the hosts recovering from a two goal deficit to secure a two all draw. Callum Robinson completed the full ninety minutes for the ‘Baggies’ while Dara O’Shea and loanee Jayson Molumby were unused substitutes.
Thursday
Shane Long won his fitness battle and together with Will Smallbone was named on the substitute bench for Southampton who suffered a two one defeat by Newcastle United in the Premier League on Thursday evening. Long was introduced to in the 79th minute but to little avail.
West Ham United included Darren Randolph on their substitute bench as they went down to a one nil defeat by Sevilla in the first leg of their Europa League round of sixteen contest in Spain this afternoon.
Wednesday
The second semi-final in the EFL Trophy saw League Two Hartlepool United play host to a much changed Rotherham United who included Chiedoze Ogbene on their substitute bench. The hosts twice led but ‘The Millers’ equalised on both occasions with 61st minute substitute Ogbene providing the second assist two minutes after his arrival on the pitch. The contest went to a penalty shoot-out where the League One leaders prevailed on a five four scoreline.
The Irish contingent of Joe Shaughnessy, Charles Dunne, Alan Power and loanee Connor Ronan started with Conor McCarthy on the bench for St Mirren who scored the only goal through a Ronan header in the third minute of added time to defeat Dundee in the Scottish Premiership this Wednesday evening.
Tuesday
Caoimhin Kelleher was on substitute duty for Liverpool who went down to a one nil defeat by visitors Inter Milan in the Champions League round of 16 second leg on Tuesday evening. The ‘Reds’ held a two nil goal advantage from the away first leg and progress to the last 8 in a two one aggregate scoreline.
The Championship marathon continued this evening with Blackburn Rovers and Darragh Lenihan welcoming Millwall and Danny McNamara to Ewood Park where James Browne was unused on the host bench as the sides played out a scoreless draw. AFC Bournemouth and Mark Travers played out a one all draw with Peterborough United for whom Jack Taylor started after a lengthy injury absence. He was replaced by Sam Szmodics on 60 minutes. Sheffield United named John Egan in their starting eleven with loanee Conor Hourihane a 39th minute substitute for their four one defeat of visitors Middlesbrough and their loanee Aaron Connolly. Swansea City went down to a five one defeat by leaders Fulham at the Liberty Stadium. The ‘Swans’ started brightly and had the better of the opening 40 minutes but the dismissal of Ryan Manning on 42 minutes signalled a change in fortune and they were overrun in the second half. Michael Obafemi started but was withdrawn on the hour mark while loanee Cyrus Christie was unable to play against his parent club.
Crewe Alexandra went down to a three one defeat by visitors Portsmouth in League One. Loanee Gavin Bazunu started alongside Ronan Curtis and Sean Raggett while another loanee Aiden O’Brien was a 71st minute substitute but Marcus Harness was suspended. Ipswich Town defeated Lincoln City by two goals to nil at Portman Road where Anthony Scully was a 69th minute substitute for the visitors. MK Dons named Warren O’Hora and loanees Conor Coventry and Troy Parrott in their starting eleven with Parrott scoring twice in their three one victory over visitors Cheltenham Town. Dennis Cirkin was in action for Sunderland who secured a three one success over visitors Fleetwood Town at the Stadium of Light.
Crystal Palace loanee Jake O’Brien started for Swindon Town but was withdrawn on 70 minutes as his side went down to a three one League Two defeat at Exeter City.
Wigan Athletic included James McClean and Jamie McGrath in their starting eleven for their EFL Trophy semi-final engagement with League Two Sutton United while Will Keane was introduced from the bench on 65 minutes as the sides played out a one all draw with McClean scoring an impressive goal. Wigan then suffered a 7-6 penalty shoot-out defeat with all three Irish internationals converting their spot kicks.
Monday
Matt Doherty and Seamus Coleman were in Premier League opposition on Monday evening when Tottenham Hotspur played host to Everton. The hosts tormented their visitors with Doherty providing the assist for two of their goals in a five nil victory.