Sunday
Crystal Palace introduced James McCarthy from their substitute bench in the 79th minute of their scoreless draw with visitors Fulham in the Premier League early this Sunday afternoon. Tottenham Hotspur crushed Burnley by four goals to nil at the London Stadium with Matt Doherty introduced from the bench on 81 minutes while Kevin Long and Jimmy Dunne were confined to the ‘Clarets’ substitute bench. David McGoldrick and Enda Stevens were in the Sheffield United starting eleven for the two nil Bramall Lane defeat by visitors Liverpool.
Josh Cullen was in Belgian First Division action with RSC Anderlecht who secured a three one victory at Standard Liege early this Sunday afternoon.
Wycombe Wanderers introduced Daryl Horgan from their substitute bench in the 67th minute of their two nil Championship defeat by leaders Norwich City at Adams Park. The visitors introduced Adam Idah from their bench on 84 minutes and three minutes later he scored the defining second goal.
Saturday
Darren Randolph started for West Ham United in their Premier League meeting with leaders Manchester City which ended in a two one defeat early this Saturday afternoon in the Etihad Stadium. Eighteen year old striker Ademipo Odubeko was unused on the substitute bench. Dara O’Shea started while Callum Robinson was an unused substitute for West Bromwich Albion who scored the only goal to defeat visitors Brighton & Hove Albion at the Hawthorns. Aaron Connolly started for the visitors but was substituted on 61 minutes shortly after a quite awful miss. The late kick-off saw Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers play out a one all draw with Ciaran Clark in good form for the hosts while Jeff Hendrick was unused on the substitute bench.
There are a number of Irish Championship players currently sidelined through injury including Stoke City duo Nathan Collins (metatarsal) and James McClean (foot), Keiren Westwood (rib fracture) Sheffield Wednesday, Callum O’Dowda (hamstring) Bristol City.
AFC Bournemouth included loanee Shane Long, Mark Travers and Gavin Kilkenny on the substitute bench for their one nil Championship victory over visitors Watford. Long was introduced to the action on 80 minutes. Scott Hogan started for for Birmingham City who came from behind to defeat visitors QPR by two goals to one. Alan Browne and loanee Greg Cunningham started for Preston North End who defeated visitors Huddersfield Town by three goals to nil. Jayson Molumby was introduced for the final few minutes of the contest. Huddersfield Town included the veteran Richard Keogh.in their starting eleven. Promotion chasing Swansea City included loanee Conor Hourihane in their starting eleven as they went down to a surprise three one home defeat by visitors Bristol City. Ryan Manning was an unused substitute for the hosts.
In form Sunderland were held to a two all draw at Crewe Alexandra in League One with starters Aiden McGeady and Aiden O’Brien withdrawn on 59 minutes. Ipswich Town included loanee Troy Parrott and Alan Judge in their starting eleven with Judge scoring the openier in their two one victory over visitors of Doncaster Rovers at Portman Road. Current leaders Peterborough United included midfielder Jack Taylor in their side for the two one victory over visitors Wigan Athletic. Taylor is one who may be summoned by Stephen Kenny when he announces his next senior international squad. Anthony Scully is another who may be on the Kenny radar as he has been consistently finding the net for second place Lincoln City but not today as they went down to a three two defeat at Plymouth Argyle. Portsmouth duo Ronan Curtis and recent international declaree Marcus Harness started the one all draw with visitors Gillingham who included Southampton loanee Thomas O’Connor in their starting eleven. Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, on loan at Rochdale from Manchester City, is another who may be on the senior international radar. He started this afternoon’s two nil defeat by visitors Burton Albion this afternoon. Fellow netminder Kieran O’Hara was again an unused substitute for the visitors.