Thursday
Tottenham Hotspur went down to a three one home defeat by Liverpool this Thursday evening in a Premier League clash vital to both sides. Matt Doherty started in an unusual left wing back position but was switched to a right back position in the second half but to little avail as his side were completely outclassed. Caoimhin Kelleher was again an unused substitute for the victorious visitors.
Wednesday
The Premier League continued on Wednesday evening with Burnley twice coming from behind to secure a three two victory over visitors Aston Villa at Turf Moor. Robbie Brady started for the ‘Clarets’ and was withdrawn on 60 minutes while Kevin Long and Jimmy Dunne were unused on the substitute bench. Brighton & Hove Albion and Fulham played out a scoreless draw with Aaron Connolly unused on the substitute bench for the hosts. Goodison Park hosted the meeting of Everton and Leicester City with Seamus Coleman a very late substitute as the sides played out a one all draw. Sheffield United produced the shock result of the season with a two one victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford where the ‘Blades’ were without suspended captain John Egan and the injured Enda Stevens while David McGoldrick did start and completed 80 minutes.
There was Championship action at St Andrew’s Stadium at 7pm with temporary tenants Coventry City defeating Sheffield Wednesday by two goals to nil. The visiting ‘Owls’ included Keiren Westwood in their starting eleven but young centre back Ciaran Brennan was unused on the substitute bench. Aston Villa Loanee Conor Hourihane started and scored the equaliser for Swansea City in their one all draw with fellow promotion aspirants Brentford. Ryan Manning was introduced from the ‘Swans’ bench for the final six minutes. New manager Mick McCarthy took charge of Cardiff City for the first time at his home town club Barnsley, with whom he commenced his professional football career, and saw his side recover from a two goal deficit to earn a point in a two all draw.
There was something of an Irish Gala Night at Tannadice in the Scottish Premiership where visitors St Mirren, managed by Jim Goodwin, crushed their hosts Dundee United by five goals to one. Joe Shaughnessy opened the scoring on 30 minutes with an assist from fellow centre back Conor McCarthy while Jamie McGrath scored twice from the penalty spot just before the interval. Substitute Dylan Connolly also joined the scoresheet following his seventy first minute introduction. Glasgow Celtic included Shane Duffy in their side for the two nil victory over Mamilton Accademical at Celtic Park. There should be an interesting encounter on Saturday next when St Mirren are the visitors.
Tuesday
The one remaining FA Cup fourth round tie between AFC Bournemouth and Crawley Town took place in the Vitality Stadium this Tuesday evening with the hosts progressing on a two one scoreline. Young midfielder Gavin Kilkenny was unused on the host’s substitute bench.
The Premier League resumed on Tuesday evening with Crystal Palace welcoming West Ham United to Selhurst Park where James McCarthy was an unused substitute for the hosts while Mipo Odubeko was unused on the visitors substitute bench as they secured a three two victory. Ciaran Clark was an injury absentee for struggling Newcastle United who went down to a two one defeat by Leeds United at St James Park where Jeff Hendrick was in the starting eleven for the defeated ‘Magpies’. Southampton went down to a three one home defeat by Arsenal at St Mary’s Stadium where Shane Long and teenage midfielder Will Ferry were unused substitutes for the hosts. Dara O’Shea and Callum Robinson started for West Bromwich Albion in their crushing five nil defeat by visitors Manchester City with Robinson withdrawn at half-time.
Millwall included Danny McNamara in their starting eleven with Troy Parrott unused on the substitute bench as they played out a scoreless Championship draw with visitors Watford. Goalkeeper Max O’Leary was an unused substitute for Bristol City who defeated Huddersfield Town, who include Richard Keogh in their starting eleven, by two goals to one at Ashton Gate.
Jack Taylor was in midfield action for League One promotion chasers Peterborough United who were held to a scoreless draw by London Road visitors Bristol Rovers. Portsmouth included Ronan Curtis and Marcus Harness in their starting eleven as they went down to a one nil defeat by Fratton Park visitors Lincoln City who included Anthony Scully in their starting eleven. Loanees Mark Travers and Conor Masterson were in the Swindon Town side which suffered a two nil home defeat by visitors Plymouth Argyle. Ipswich Town included Mark McGuinness and Stephen Ward in their starting eleven while Aaron Drinan was s 55th minute substitute as they lost to visitors Sunderland who included Aiden McGeady and Aiden O’Brien in their starting eleven for their one nil victory.