Thursday
Matt Doherty and his Wolverhampton Wanderers colleagues were unable to halt the Premier League runaway express called Liverpool when the sides collided at Molineaux this Thursday evening. The visitors took an early lead but thereafter the hosts matched them throughout the first half with Doherty being off target with two efforts on goal which he might have done better with. Wolves dominated much of the second half and equalised on 51 minutes and had a number of goal attempts foiled by goalkeeper Alisson thereafter. The champions elect went sixteen points clear at the summit with the winning goal arriving on 84 minutes.
Wednesday
There was more Irish involvement in the Premier League on Wednesday evening with Jeff Hendrick giving a solid midfield performance for Burnley who defeated Manchester United by two goals to nil at Old Trafford. Robbie Brady and Kevin Long were unused substitutes for the victorious ‘Clarets’. Darren Randolph was in goal for West Ham United who suffered a four one defeat at Leicester City where his performance helped to keep the scoreline down.
Josh Cullen returned to the Charlton Athletic starting eleven after his lengthy injury absence and completed the full ninety minutes of their scoreless draw with visitors Fulham in the Championship.
Tuesday
There was Irish involvement in the Premier League on Tuesday evening but not for Conor Hourihane who was an unused substitute for Aston Villa who came from behind to defeat visitors Watford by two goals to one at Villa Park. Aaron Connolly was a 60th minute substitute for Brighton & Hove Albion who went down to a three one defeat at AFC Bournemouth while Shane Duffy was an unused substitute. James McCarthy was again in central midfield for Crystal Palace but his side suffered a two nil home defeat by Southampton for whom Shane Long and Michael Obafemi started as the forward pairing. Seamus Coleman was introduced from the substitute bench for Everton on 71 minutes as they saw a two goal lead wiped out in the 4th and 5th minute of added time by Goodison Park visitors Newcastle United for whom Ciaran Clark started in their back three but was substituted on 70 minutes. John Egan and Enda Stevens started for Sheffield United who went down to a one nil Bramall Lane defeat by Manchester City while Callum Robinson entered the fray on 78 minutes.
Alan Browne started for Preston North End and was joined on 67 minutes by substitute Sean Maguire as the ‘Lilywhites’ secured an emphatic three nil Championship victory at Barnsley.
U21 midfielder Jack Taylor scored his first League One goal for new club Peterborough United as they crushed second place visitors Wycombe Wanderers by four goals to nil at London Road.
Monday
James McClean was in his usual industrious form for Stoke City who shocked current Championship leaders West Bromwich Albion with the only goal at the Hawthorns on Monday evening. As the ‘Potters’ fought a steely defensive battle in the closing stages, he was joined by eighteen year old centre back Nathan Collins who was imperious during his short tenure.