News

Monday
Arsenal eased to a comfortable three nil Premier League victory over a toothless Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium this evening. Ciaran Clark started for the ‘Magpies’ while Jeff Hendrick was a 78th minute substitute. 

Sunday
The Premier League continued at 2pm on Sunday with the Bramall Lane meeting of Sheffield United and Tottenham Hotspur which saw the visitors prevail by three goals to one. Enda Stevens returned to action alongside John Egan and David McGoldrick for the hosts with McGoldrick scoring the ‘Blades’ goal. Caoimhin Kelleher was on the substitute bench for Liverpool who played out a scoreless draw with Anfield visitors Manchester United. In the late kick-off, James McCarthy was in the  Crystal Palace side which went down to a four nil defeat at Manchester City.

Saturday
Molineaux hosted the Black Country Derby meeting of Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League at 12.30pm on Saturday afternoon. The visiting ‘Baggies’ included Dara O’Shea and Callum Robinson in their starting eleven as, having taken an early lead, they conceded twice before the half-time break and then themselves scored twice early in the second half for a three two victory. Darren Randolph returned to the West Ham United substitute bench where he was joined by teenage striker Ademipo Odubeko for the one nil victory over Burnley at the London Stadium. Robbie Brady started for the ‘Clarets’ with Kevin Long on the substitute bench. The King Power Stadium meeting of Leicester City and Southampton went the way of the hosts by two goals to nil. The ‘Saints’ included Will Smallbone in their starting eleven but injury forced his withdrawal on 61 minutes. Shane Long was a 72nd minute substitute while young Will Ferry was unused on the substitute bench.

The early Championship kick-off saw Scott Hogan score the only goal for Birmingham City to earn victory at Middlesbrough. Current leaders Norwich City secured  a two one victory at Cardiff City where substitute teenage defender Andrew Omobamidele played the final minute. Ewood Park hosted the meeting of Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City which ended in a one all draw. Darragh Lenihan started for the hosts while the visitors included Nathan Collins in their starting eleven. The Vitality Stadium saw hosts AFC Bournemouth go down to a one nil defeat by visitors Luton Town. Gavin Kilkenny was an unused substitute for the hosts while James Collins started for the visitors. Bristol City defeated Preston North End by two goals to nil at Ashton Gate where the visitors included club captain Alan Browne and Sean Maguire in their starting eleven with loanee Jayson Molumby replacing Maguire on 79 minutes. Derby County went down to a one nil home defeat by Rotherham United at Pride Park with teenage midfielder Jason Knight in their starting eleven. Chris Hughton appears to have resolved some of the problems at Nottingham Forest and his side continued their upward curve with a three one victory over City Ground visitors Millwall. Cyrus Christie started for the hosts while young Irish duo Danny McNamara and loanee Troy Parrott both started for the defeated ‘Lions’. Ryan Manning was unused on the substitute bench for Swansea City who secured a two nil victory at Barnsley to consolidate their second place.

Loanee Ryan Cassidy was a late substitute for Accrington Stanley who went down to a one nil League One defeat by visitors Gillingham who included fellow loanee Thomas O’Connor in their starting eleven. Kieran O’Hara was on the Burton Albion substitute bench for the visit of Ipswich Town who included Arsenal loanee Mark McGuinness who scored  the only goal on 73 minutes for victory. Stephen Ward and Alan Judge also started while Aaron Drinan was a 59th minute substitute. U21 midfielder Jack Taylor and his Peterborough United colleagues secured a comfortable three nil victory over visitors MK Dons.

In League Two, Aston Villa loanee Tyreik Wright was unused on the  Walsall substitute bench for the one all draw with visitors Oldham Athletic at the Bescot Stadium.

Despite speculation of a loan move to Nottingham Forest, Shane Duffy started for current loan club Glasgow Celtic who were held to a scoreless Scottish Premiership draw by visitors Livingston at Celtic Park. Eighteen year old striker Armstrong Okoflex was an 80th minute substitute for the hosts while fellow teenager Luca Connell was an unused substitute.

 

Thursday
The Premier League continued on Thursday evening with Arsenal playing out a scoreless draw with Crystal Palace for whom James McCarthy was introduced from the substitute bench for the final five minutes of action at the Emirates Stadium.

Wednesday
There was further Premier League action on Wednesday evening with Matt Doherty unused on the substitute bench for Tottenham Hotspur who were held to a one all draw by visitors Fulham in a late re-arranged contest.

The Football League Trophy continued with League Two Tranmere Rovers defeating a Leicester City U21 side in Prenton Park. The hosts included veteran goalkeeper Joe Murphy in their starting eleven while the visitors included youngsters Darragh O’Connor, Ali Reghba and Shane Flynn in their starting eleven. Dubliner Flynn, who played with Bray Wanderers prior to his move to Leicester, was excellent for the ‘Foxes’ and is one to keep an eye out for.

Tuesday
The Premier League resumed on Tuesday evening with the Bramall Lane meeting of Sheffield United and Newcastle United which saw the host ‘Blades’ finally achieve their first league victory this season with a fully deserved one nil success. The hosts included John Egan and David McGoldrick in their starting eleven but injury again ruled out Enda Stevens while Ciaran Clark and Jeff Hendrick started for the visitors. The Molineaux meeting of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton saw the visiting ‘Toffees’ emerge victorious by two goals to one. Seamus Coleman was an 86th minute substitute for the victors. At the same time, Burnley went down to a one nil defeat by visitors Manchester United at Turf Moor where Robbie Brady started but was withdrawn on 65 minutes while Kevin Long was an unused substitute.

The Championship meeting of AFC Bournemouth and Millwall at the Vitality Stadium ended in a one all draw. Young Gavin Kilkenny was an unused substitute for the hosts while both Troy Parrott and Danny McNamara started for the ‘Lions’ with Parrott withdrawn on 78 minutes. James Collins started for Luton Town who went down to a two nil defeat by visitors QPR at Kenilworth Road where Conor Masterson was an unused substitute.

The Football League Trophy featured the meeting of Lincoln City and Accrington Stanley with Anthony Scully and Zack Elbouzedi starting for the ‘Imps’ while the visitors included loanee Ryan Cassidy in their starting eleven as they crashed to a four nil defeat. Elbouzedi opened the scoring on 32 minutes and also provided a later assist. The London Road meeting of Peterborough United and Portsmouth saw Jack Taylor open the scoring for the ‘Posh’ as they cruised to a five one success.   

 

Monday
The remaining FA Cup Round Three contest between National League North side Stockport County and West Ham United took place in Edgeley Park on Monday evening and saw the Premier League side progress with a very late goal. The hosts, managed by Jim Gannon, performed extremely well and their quality of football was very good. Darren Randolph started for the ‘Hammers’  while eighteen year old striker Ademipo Odubeko was introduced from the substitute bench for the final five minutes.

Glasgow Celtic may well have conceded the Scottish Premiership title as they played out a one all home draw with Hibernian this evening. Shane Duffy started for the hosts while teenager Armstrong Okoflex was introduced from the substitute bench on 61 minutes. Fellow teenagers Barry Coffey and Luca Connell were also named on the substitute bench.

Sunday
There was further FA Cup Round Three action on Sunday afternoon with Championship side Barnsley defeating League Two Tranmere Rovers by two goals to nil. The visitors included Glasgow Celtic loanee Lee O’Connor in their starting eleven. Bristol City defeated League One Portsmouth by two goals to one at Ashton Gate with new international recruit Marcus Harness starting alongside eligible central defender Sean Raggett for the visitors.  Things have certainly not gone as the once prolific striker Scott Hogan would have wished and a trip with Birmingham City to face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium was unlikely to bring much reward and so it proved as they went down to a three nil defeat with Hogan withdrawn at half-time. Northern Premier League side Marine FC played host to Tottenham Hotspur who included Matt Doherty in their starting eleven as they cruised to a five nil victory. The late kick-off at Rodney Parade between League Two Newport County who included Padraig Amond and Jamie Devitt in their starting eleven and Brighton & Hove Albion, for whom Aaron Connolly was absent through injury, came to a dramatic finish with the Premier League side scoring the first goal on 90 minutes only for the hosts to equalise in the sixth minute of added time. There were no further scores in extra-time and the penalty shoot-out went the way of the visiting ‘Seagulls’ following a host of failures by both sides. 

Saturday
The FA Cup Round Three continued on Saturday afternoon with several contests scheduled for a noon kick-off. Millwall included Spurs loanee Troy Parrott in their starting eleven for their visit to National League South Boreham Wood where they prevailed by two goals to nil. ‘Man of the Match’ for the ‘Lions’ was Danny McNamara who returned from his loan spell with St Johnstone last weekend. Seamus Coleman and Everton were given an almighty scare by Championship strugglers Rotherham United who took them to extra-time before the host ‘Toffees’ prevailed by two goals to one. Championship sides Nottingham Forest and Cardiff City met at the City Ground where Harry Arter started while Cyrus Christie was an unused substitute as the hosts scored the only goal after just four minutes. There was a 12.15 kick-off time for the meeting of National League North Chorley FC who welcomed Derby County to Victory Park where the visiting ‘Rams’ fielded a side comprised of U23 and U18 players following a Covid-19 outbreak within their management and senior player ranks. The task was too much for the youngsters, who introduced Festy Ebesole as a 64th minute substitute in their two nil defeat. Darragh Lenihan was in the Blackburn Rovers side which suffered a shock one nil defeat by League One Doncaster Rovers at Ewood Park. Fellow League One side, Blackpool also created  a surprise with a three two penalty shoot-out success over West Bromwich Albion following a two all draw after extra-time. Dara O’Shea was a 96th minute substitute for the defeated ‘Baggies’. Struggling Premier League side Sheffield United included skipper John Egan and David McGoldrick in their side as they prevailed by three goals to two at League One side Bristol Rovers. Another League One side, MK Dons included veteran Richard Keogh in their side for the visit to Burnley for whom Robbie Brady started as they were given quite a stern test before prevailing in a penalty shoot-out following a one all draw after extra-time.  Young midfielder Gavin Kilkenny was in the AFC Bournemouth side which defeated League Two Oldham Athletic by four goals to one at the Vitality Stadium. Conor Masterson was a 90th minute substitute for QPR who went down to a two nil extra-time defeat by near neighbours Fulham at Loftus Road. Ryan Manning was in the Swansea City side which secured a two nil victory at League Two Stevenage while Stoke City included James McClean in their starting eleven with Nathan Collins a 65th minute substitute as they crashed to a four nil home defeat by Leicester City. Daryl Horgan was a 57th minute substitute for Wycombe Wanderers who defeated visitors Preston North End by four goals to one. Loanee Jayson Molumby started for the defeated ‘Lilywhites’ while Alan Browne and Sean Maguire were second half substitutes. Ciaran Clark and Jeff Hendrick were in the Newcastle United side which went down to a two nil extra-time defeat by hosts Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. 

There was League One action early on Saturday afternoon with current leaders Lincoln City playing out a one all draw with visitors Peterborough United. Anthony Scully started and scored the equaliser for the hosts in a ‘Man of the Match’ performance. Zack Elbouzedi was an unused substitute while Jack Taylor started for the visitors. Southampton loanee Thomas O’Connor was in action for Gillingham who went down to a one nil home defeat by struggling Burton Albion for whom Kieran O’Hara was relegated to the substitute bench following his recent torrid time. Arsenal loanee Mark McGuinness together with Ipswich Town colleagues Alan Judge, Stephen Ward and Aaron Drinan started the three two Portman Road defeat by visitors Swindon Town for whom loan signing Mark Travers started. Judge was prominent for the defeated hosts and scored their second goal. In the late kick-off, Sunderland included Aiden McGeady in their starting eleven and he scored with an uncharacteristic header in their one all draw with visitors Hull City.

In the Scottish Cup second round, Glasgow Celtic loanee Jonathan Afolabi was a 56th minute substitute for  Dundee who welcomed the quaintly name Lowland League club Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic to the Kilmac Stadium. The visitors led through a 25th minute penalty until Afolabi scored the equaliser in the fourth minute of added time to take the contest into extra-time. The non-league side regained the lead in extra-time, again from the penalty spot, but it was not to be as Dundee recovered to score twice for a three two victory. 

Friday
The 2021 FA Cup Round Three commenced on Friday evening with the all Premier League clash of Aston Villa and Liverpool at 7.45pm in Villa Park. With confirmation of a Covid-19 outbreak within the Villa camp it was revealing to see how both clubs approached the competition. With Conor Hourihane being a member of the the hosts first team squad, he missed out on a starting opportunity while fellow Cork native Tyriek Wright, who has been catching the eye in the U21 side, had high hopes of involvement but he was not included in the 20 man squad which involved seven from the U21s and four from the U18s. Another Cork man, Caoimhin Kelleher started as expected for the visitors who were given something of a first half jolt as the sides went in at half time level on one goal apiece. In the second half Liverpool eventually eased away to a four one victory. Also gaining a starting berth this evening was James McCarthy whose Crystal Palace went down to a one nil defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers where McCarthy was withdrawn on 70 minutes.

The Valley hosted the League One encounter between Charlton Athletic and Accrington Stanley which the visitors won by two goals to nil.  Watford loanee Ryan Cassidy was a 66th minute substitute for the victorious visitors.

 

 

Monday
Current Premier League goal difference leaders Liverpool failed to extend their lead when they went down to a one nil defeat at Southampton on Monday evening. Caoimhin Kelleher was unused on the visiting substitute bench while the host duo Shane Long and Will Smallbone were also unused substitutes.  

Sunday
There was further Premier League action this Sunday afternoon with Newcastle United going down to a two one defeat by Leicester City in St James Park. The hosts included Ciaran Clark in their starting eleven while Jeff Hendrick was again an unused substitute.

Saturday
First into Premier League action on Saturday were Tottenham Hotspur who included Matt Doherty in their starting eleven for their three nil victory over visitors Leeds United. Doherty was dismissed two minutes into added time for a second bookable offence. James McCarthy was again an unused substitute for Crystal Palace who defeated Sheffield United and their Irish trio of John Egan, Enda Stevens and David McGoldrick by two goals to nil at Selhurst Park. Aaron Connolly started and scored after xx minutes but was withdrawn at half-time as his Brighton & Hove Albion side conceded three goals before the break to visitors Wolverhampton Wanderers. The hosts recovered after the break to score twice and earn a point. Jayson Molumby was an unused substitute for the ‘Seagulls’. Troubled West Bromwich Albion included Dara O’Shea and Callum Robinson in their starting eleven for the visit of Arsenal which ended in a resounding four nil victory for the visiting ‘Gunners’.

Glasgow Rangers overcame Glasgow Celtic in the Scottish Premiership with the only goal at Ibrox Stadium to go nineteen points clear at the summit. It is extremely doubtful that, even with three matches in hand, the Parkhead side can mount a successful challenge. Shane Duffy was a 65th minute substitute for Celtic. Millwall loanee Danny McNamara gave another fine performance for St Johnstone in their one all draw at Ross County.

Two sides struggling for Championship form, Birmingham City and Blackburn Rovers met at St Andrew’s with the visitors securing a two nil victory. Darragh Lenihan. was in the victors starting eleven while Scott Hogan was a 76th minute substitute for the defeated hosts. The New Den hosted the meeting of Millwall and Coventry City which went the way of the visitors by two goals to one. Tottenham Hotspur loanee Troy Parrott was a second half substitute for the hosts.  Preston North End named Sean Maguire in their starting eleven for the the visit of Cyrus Christie and Nottingham Forest with the visitors scoring the only goal from the penalty spot for a desperately needed victory. Harry Arter was a very late substitute for the victors. Daryl Horgan started for Wycombe Wanderers who went down to a three one defeat by visitors Middlesbrough. There iwas a 7.45pm kick-off time for the meeting of Stoke City and AFC Bournemouth which went the way of the visitors by one goal to nil.  Nathan Collins and James McClean both started for the hosts while Mark Travers and Gavin Kilkenny were unused substitutes for the visitors.

Anthony Scully started while Zack Elbouzedi was an unused substitute for Lincoln City who stayed top of League One with a two one victory at AFC Wimbledon. Kieran O’Hara and Burton Albion continued their recent dismal defensive displays when they crashed to a five one home defeat by Oxford United who included Olamide Shodipo and Anthony Forde in their starting eleven with Shodipo scoring twice in the opening half. U21 international Thomas O’Connor started for  loan club Gillingham who went down to a one nil defeat at Plymouth Argyle.

U21 international Joshua Kayode scored  for loan club Carlisle United in their two nil League Two victory at Walsall.

U19 international Jonathan Afolabi, on loan at Scottish Championship side Dundee from Glasgow Celtic, was introduced from the bench on 69 minutes of their encounter with league leaders Heart of Midlothian and helped consolidate their three one victory when converting from the penalty spot on 84 minutes after he himself had been fouled.

Friday
First into New Year Premier League action were Everton and West Ham United who went head to head in Goodison Park at 5.30pm this Friday afternoon with the visitors scoring the only goal for victory. Club Captain Seamus Coleman started for the hosts while Darren Randolph was a very late inclusion in the visitors starting eleven who are managed by former ‘Toffees’ boss David Moyes. High flying Aston Villa travelled to Old Trafford to take on another uplifted side Manchester United with Conor Hourihane again unused on the visitors substitute bench as they went down to a two one defeat.

There was a 5.30pm kick-off time for Championship side Sheffield Wednesday who welcomed Derby County to Hillsborough. The visitors included Jason Knight in their starting eleven while teenage midfielder Louie Watson was an unused substitute as the ‘Rams’ suffered a one nil defeat despite dominating the great majority of the game.

 

 

 

Wednesday
The Premier League continued on Wednesday evening with Newcastle United playing out a scoreless draw with league leaders Liverpool. Ciaran Clark started for the ‘Magpies’ with Jeff Hendrick unused on the substitute bench while Caoimhin Kelleher was on the visitors substitute bench.

There were also two Championship fixtures completed today with the early kick-off seeing Brentford defeat visitors AFC Bournemouth by two goals to one. Mark Travers and Gavin Kilkenny were both unused substitutes for the visitors. Swansea City played out a scoreless draw with visitors Reading at the Liberty Stadium where Ryan Manning was an unused substitute for the hosts. 

The Scottish Premiership saw Glasgow Celtic defeat visitors Dundee United by three goals to nil but Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Shane Duffy was again unused on the substitute bench despite the 51st minute injury withdrawal of central defender Jullien. Millwall loanee Danny McNamara was in the St Johnstone side which played out a scoreless draw with Hamilton Accademical at McDiarmid Park.

Tuesday
There was a quick turnaround for clubs in all Divisions with the Premier League resuming action at 6pm when Brighton & Hove Albion went down to a one nil defeat by visitors Arsenal at the AMEX Stadium. Aaron Connolly and Jayson Molumby were unused substitutes for the hosts. Burnley included Robbie Brady in their starting eleven with Kevin Long and Jimmy Dunne unused on the substitute bench as they added top the woes of visitors Sheffield United with a one nil victory. John Egan, Enda Stevens and David McGoldrick all started for the ‘Blades’. Southampton were held to a scoreless draw by visitors West Ham United at St Mary’s Stadium where Shane Long was a 58th minute substitute with Michael Obafemi and Will Smallbone unused on the substitute bench as was Darren Randolph for the visitors. Dara O’Shea and Callum Robinson were in the West Bromwich Albion side which crashed to a five nil defeat by visitors Leeds United.

Two sides struggling for Championship form, Birmingham City and Derby County met at St Andrew’s where the visiting ‘Rams’ secured a comprehensive four nil victory with Jason Knight scoring the fourth and earning the ‘man of the match’ accolade. Nineteen year old midfielder Louie Watson was introduced for his senior debut in the final few minutes. Darragh Lenihan and his Blackburn Rovers colleagues suffered  a two one defeat at Huddersfield Town while James Collins and Luton Town overcame Bristol City by two goals to one at Kenilworth Road. Conor Masterson was unused on the QPR substitute bench for their one all draw at current leaders Norwich City for whom Andrew Omobamidele was also an unused substitute. Preston North End included Alan Browne and Sean Maguire in their starting eleven for their two nil victory over visitors Coventry City with Maguire scoring the second goal. Daryl Horgan started for  Wycombe Wanderers who defeated visitors Cardiff City by two goals to one. Greg Cunningham remained unused on the visiting substitute bench. Stoke City included Nathan Collins and James McClean in their starting eleven for the one all draw with visitors Nottingham Forest who included Cyrus Christie in their starting eleven while Harry Arter was unused on the substitute bench.  

In League One, goalkeeper Kieran O’Hara, who conceded five at Lincoln on Saturday, suffered further disappointment with Burton Albion who went down to a four three defeat by visitors Wigan Athletic. Southampton loanee Thomas O’Connor and his Gillingham colleagues suffered  a three one defeat at Northampton Town.

Glasgow Celtic loanee Jonathan Afolabi was a 76th minute substitute for Dundee who secured  a three one Scottish Championship victory over visitors Alloa Athletic. 

 

Monday
The Premier League saw further action on Monday afternoon with Crystal Palace playing out a one all draw with Leicester City at Selhurst Park where James McCarthy was an unused substitute for the hosts. Aston Villa continued their fine form with a one all draw at Chelsea later on Monday afternoon. Conor Hourihane was again an unused substitute for the visitors.

Sunday
There was more Premier League action scheduled for Sunday with Leeds United defeating Burnley with the only goal at Elland Road in a noon kick-off. Robbie Brady was ruled out for the ‘Clarets’ following his injury withdrawal on Monday last while Kevin Long and Jimmy Dunne were unused on the substitute bench. Goalkeeper Darren Randolph was an unused substitute for West Ham United who were held to a two all draw by visitors Brighton & Hove Albion at the London Stadium. Caoimhin Kelleher was unused on the Liverpool substitute bench when West Bromwich Albion stunned Anfield with a late equaliser in the  4.30pm kick-off. The ‘Baggies’ included Dara O’Shea and Callum Robinson in their starting eleven with O’Shea having a fine game in central defence. The day was rounded off at 7.15pm with the meeting of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur at Molineaux where Matt Doherty was in action against his former club. The visitors took the lead inside the first minute but the hosts persevered throughout and finally equalised with just four minutes remaining.

Saturday
In the Premier League, high flying Aston Villa defeated Crystal Palace by three goals to nil at Villa Park on Saturday afternoon despite playing the second half with ten men following the dismissal of Mings. Both of their respective midfielders Conor Hourihane and James McCarthy were unused on the substitute bench. Shane Long started for Southampton who played out a scoreless draw at Fulham where Michael Obafemi and the fit again Will Smallbone were unused on the substitute bench. There was an 8pm kick-off for Newcastle United who went down to a two nil defeat at Manchester City where Ciaran Clark was in in their starting eleven. The travails of Sheffield United continue as they suffered another home defeat going down to a late goal from visitors Everton at Bramall Lane. John Egan, Enda Stevens and David McGoldrick all started while Seamus Coleman was a 66th minute substitute for the ‘Toffees’.

In the Scottish Premiership, Aberdeen defeated visitors St Johnstone and Danny McNamara by two goals to one while Shane Duffy was an unused  substitute for Glasgow Celtic who scored a three nil victory at Hamilton Academicals.

The Championship saw Darragh Lenihan in action with Blackburn Rovers who were held to a one all draw by visitors Sheffield Wednesday and returning goalkeeper Keiren Westwood at Ewood Park. Callum O’Dowda started for Bristol City who secured  a two one success over Wycombe Wanderers and Daryl Horgan at Ashton Gate. Nathan Collins and James McClean started for Stoke City who played out a scoreless draw at St Andrew’s, temporary home of Coventry City. Jason Knight and Derby County were reduced to ten men after just 20 minutes and suffered a one nil defeat by visitors Preston North End for whom Alan Browne scored the winner in the 6th minute of added time. Sean Maguire also started while Adam O’Reilly was an unused substitute. Teenager Louie Watson was an unused substitute for the host ‘Rams’. Harry Arter was an unused substitute for Nottingham Forest while Cyrus Christie started their scoreless draw with Birmingham City and Scott Hogan at the City Ground. Conor Masterson was an unused substitute for QPR who went down to a two nil home defeat by Swansea City for whom  former player Ryan Manning was also an unused substitute. Luton Town and James Collins made the short journey to Reading where they went down to a two one defeat. 

In League One Anthony Scully started and scored for Lincoln City who crushed visitors Burton Albion and Kieran O’Hara by five goals to one.Fellow U21 international Zak Elbouzedi replaced Scully on 76 minutes.  

Rotherham United loanee Joshua Kayode was in action with Carlisle United who were held to a three all League Two draw by visitors  Bolton Wanderers at Brunton Park while Glasgow Celtic loanee Lee O’Connor was an unused substitute for Tranmere Rovers who went down to a one nil home defeat by visitors Bradford City.

Another Glasgow Celtic loanee Jonathan Afolabi, was an eightieth minute substitute for Dundee who defeated hosts Queen of the South by three goals to one in the Scottish Championship.

 

Wednesday
The second pair of League Cup Quarter-Finals took place on  Wednesday with the other surviving Championship side Stoke City going down to a three one defeat by visitors Tottenham Hotspur  while Goodison Park hosted the 8pm clash of Everton and Manchester United. Nathan Collins and James McClean were in the ‘Potters’ side while Matt Doherty was also in action with the visitors. Captain Seamus Coleman started for the ‘Toffees’ on Merseyside and was about the best of the hosts in what was a very poor performance which the visitors won comfortably although they left it very late.

In the Scottish Premiership, Ireland U21 defender Danny McNamara was in the St Johnstone starting eleven but was withdrawn on 77 minutes of their three nil defeat by Glasgow Rangers in McDiarmid Park.

Tuesday
There were two League Cup Quarter-Finals completed this Tuesday with Championship side Brentford defeating Newcastle United with the only goal at the new Community Stadium. Ciaran Clark started and Jeff Hendrick was an unused substitute for the ‘Magpies’. In the second contest, hosts Arsenal suffered a four one defeat by Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium.