Saturday
The Premier League featured Brentford hosting Southampton on Saturday afternoon with Shane Long an unused substitute for the ‘Saints’ who suffered a three nil defeat . Burnley included Nathan Collins in their starting eleven while Kevin Long was a 47th minute substitute as they went down to a three one defeat by visitors Aston Villa. Dara Costelloe was an unused substitute for the hosts. There was a 5.30pm kick-off for the meeting of Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester United at the AMEX Stadium where the hosts secured a four nil victory. Shane Duffy and Evan Ferguson were unused substitutes for the hosts. Liverpool included Caoimhin Kelleher on their bench for their one all draw with visitors Tottenham Hotspur.
The Scottish Premiership saw Glasgow Celtic move closer to the title when they came from behind to defeat visitors Heart of Midlothian by four goals to one. James McCarthy was an unused substitute for the hosts. St Mirren were without injured loanee Connor Ronan who has returned to parent club Wolverhampton Wanderers for treatment. Joe Shaughnessy and Conor McCarthy started their two nil victory over visitors Dundee.
The regular Championship season reached a finale on Saturday with all matches kicking off at 12.30pm. Promoted AFC Bournemouth included Mark Travers, Robbie Brady and Gavin Kilkenny in their starting eleven for their one nil victory over visitors Millwall and Dan McNamara. Relegated Derby County included young Eiran Cashin and Jason Knight in their starting eleven while Festy Ebosele, whose final game it was for the ‘Rams’ as he joins Italian club Udinese this summer, was a 65th minute substitute for the visit of Cardiff City and their Irish trio of Joel Bagan, who started and unused substitutes Mark McGuinness and James Collins. Relegated Peterborough United included Sam Szmodics and Jack Taylor in their starting eleven for their five nil drubbing of visitors Blackpool with Szmodics scoring twice and Taylor scoring the fifth goal. Alan Browne started and scored for Preston North End in their four one victory over Middlesbrough for whom loanee Aaron Connolly was a 66th minute substitute. Greg Cunningham and Sean Maguire were unused substitutes for the victors. Sheffield United included John Egan and Enda Stevens in their side for their four nil victory over champions Fulham with Stevens finding the net. Loanee Conor Hourihane was a 75th minute substitute for the ‘Blades’. Swansea City included Ryan Manning, Michael Obafemi and loanee Cyrus Christie in their side for their one nil defeat by visitors QPR. West Bromwich Albion named Dara O’Shea and Jayson Molumby in their starting eleven with Callum Robinson a 71st minute substitute in their four nil victory over visitors Barnsley.
The Championship play-off semi-finals will see Luton Town host Huddersfield Town on Friday the 13th May at 7.45pm with the reverse fixture scheduled for Monday the 16th May at 7.45pm while Sheffield United will take on Nottingham Forest at 3pm on Saturday the 14th May with the second leg set for Tuesday the 17th May at 7.45pm.
Despite their one nil victory at Leyton Orient, Lee O’Connor and his Tranmere Rovers colleagues missed out on the League Two play-off positions while Swindon Town and their loanee Jake O’Brien, reached the play-offs with a three nil victory at Walsall.
The League Two play-off semi-finals will see Mansfield Town host Northampton Town on Saturday the 14th May at 7.45pm with the reverse fixture scheduled for Wednesday the 18th May at 7.45pm while Swindon Town will take on Port Vale at noon on Sunday the 15th May with the second leg set for Thursday the 19th May at 7.45pm.
AIK Solna and Zack Elbouzedi were in Swedish Allsvenskan action when they played host to IFK Goteborg at 2pm on Saturday afternoon and secured a one nil victory.
Sunday
Everton and captain Seamus Coleman continued their Premier League survival battle when they travelled to Leicester City for a 2pm kick-off on Sunday afternoon where they collected all three points with a two one victory.
The second leg in the first League One semi-final play-off took place in Stadium MK on Sunday evening with Wycombe Wanderers and Daryl Horgan going through to the play-off final on a two one aggregate success against MK Dons and their Irish trio of Warren O’Hora and loanees Conor Coventry and Troy Parrott. The hosts, seeking to overturn their two nil first leg deficit, dominated throughout and a fine headed goal by Parrott gave them hope but despite their total dominance they could not find the second goal to force extra-time.
Josh Cullen and his RSC Anderlecht colleagues travelled to face Royal Antwerp in the Belgian First Division on Sunday afternoon where they secured a four nil victory.