Sunday
There was a 2pm kick-off for three contests in the Premier League with Arsenal playing out a scoreless draw with visitors Burnley for whom Nathan Collins and Kevin Long were unused substitutes. Crystal Palace went down to a three one defeat by visitors Liverpool for whom Caoimhin Kelleher was an unused substitute. Chelsea defeated visitors Tottenham Hotspur by two goals to nil with Matt Doherty given a starting berth following his positive contribution as a half-time substitute in Wednesday night’s three two victory at Leicester City.
Josh Cullen and RSC Anderlecht travelled to Mechelen in the Belgian First Division where they secured a one nil victory this Sunday afternoon.
Saturday
The early kick-off in the Premier League saw managerless Everton go down to a one nil defeat by visitors Aston Villa at Goodison Park where Seamus Coleman was an unused substitute for the hosts. Leeds United welcome Newcastle United to Elland Road where Ciaran Clark, while not appearing to be in the new manager’s future plans. was included on the substitute bench alongside Jeff Hendrick. Goalkeeper Darren Randolph is on the West Ham United substitute bench at Manchester United. The late kick-off saw Southampton hold Manchester City to a one all draw with Shane Long an unused substitute on the ‘Saints’ bench while Will Smallbone remains on the injury list.
The early Championship meeting of Bristol City and Cardiff City went the way of the hosts at Ashton Gate. Callum O’Dowda and Max O’Leary both started for the victors while Mark McGuinness and James Collins, who scored, started for the visitors with Joel Bagan unused on their substitute bench. East Midland rivals Nottingham Forest and Derby County met at the City Ground where the hosts prevailed by two goals to one. Jason Knight and Festy Ebosele started for the visiting’ Rams’ while Eiran Cashin was unused on their substitute bench. AFC Bournemouth included Mark Travers in their starting eleven with Gavin Kilkenny an unused substitute as they suffered a shock one nil home defeat by visitors Hull city and Sean McLoughlin. Promotion chasing QPR included Jimmy Dunne in the starting eleven for their two one victory at Coventry City. John Egan and Aston Villa loanee Conor Hourihane started for Sheffield United in their two nil victory over visitors Luton Town and Peter Kioso. Swansea City included Ryan Manning, who scored the only goal, and Fulham loanee Cyrus Christie in their starting eleven with Michael Obafemi unused on their bench for the visit of Preston North End for whom Alan Browne and Greg Cunningham started with Sean Maguire an unused substitute. West Bromwich Albion named Callum Robinson and Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Jayson Molumby on their substitute bench and both were introduced on 75 minutes and helped spark a late three goal salvo for victory over visitors Peterborough United for whom Jack Taylor started with Sam Szmodics a 69th minute substitute.
League One promotion chasers MK Dons included Warren O’Hora, Tottenham Hotspur loanee Troy Parrott and new loanee arrival Conor Coventry from West Ham United in their side for the one nil defeat by visitors Doncaster Rovers. Both loanees were withdrawn on 75 minutes. Daryl Horgan was a 75th minute substitute for Wycombe Wanderers who suffered a three two defeat at Morecambe for whom captain Anthony O’Connor scored their opening goal. Mark Sykes and Oxford United came from behind to defeat visitors Sheffield Wednesday by three goals to two. Anthony Scully and Lincoln City made the lengthy journey to Plymouth Argyle where they also came from behind to secure a two one victory. Rotherham United included Chiedoze Ogbene in their starting eleven with Joshua Kayode unused on the bench for their one nil victory over visitors Cheltenham Town. Dennis Cirkin and Sunderland defeated visitors Portsmouth by one goal to nil. ‘Pompey’ included Manchester City loanee Gavin Bazunu, Ronan Curtis, Marcus Harness and Sean Raggett in their starting eleven with Curtis withdrawn on 71 minutes. Wigan Athletic duo Will Keane and James McClean started against their visitors Gillingham with Keane scoring twice in their three two victory which sees them return to the top of the table.
The 1pm League Two meeting of Swindon Town and Bristol Rovers featured Crystal Palace loanee Jake O’Brien in action with the hosts who were held to a one all draw. Crawley Town went down top a one nil defeat by visitors Tranmere Rovers and their Glasgow Celtic loanee Lee O’Connor. Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Lewis Richards was in the Harrogate Town side for their three nil defeat of visitors Oldham Athletic.
The Scottish Cup fourth round saw St Mirren secure a two nil victory at Ayr United with Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Connor Ronan in their starting eleven but Jamie McGrath, who is in some conflict with the club, was missing again. The late kick-off featured League One Alloa Athletic and Glasgow Celtic who included Liam Scales in their starting eleven with James McCarthy a half time substitute in their two one victory.