Sunday
Seamus Coleman and his Everton colleagues suffered another Premier League defeat on Sunday afternoon, losing to the only goal at newly promoted Brentford.
There was better news in the Championship for the Sheffield United quartet of John Egan, Enda Stevens, David McGoldrick and Aston Villa loanee Conor Hourihane who all started their two nil victory over Bristol City and Callum O’Dowda at Bramall Lane.
James McCarthy completed the full 90 minutes for Glasgow Celtic in their two one Scottish Premiership victory over visitors Aberdeen. Liam Scales was again an unused substitute for the victors.
Saturday
First into Premier League action on Saturday afternoon were Arsenal and Newcastle United who met in the Emirates Stadium where the hosts secured a comfortable two nil victory. Ciaran Clark was relegated to the ‘Magpies’ substitute bench where he was joined by Jeff Hendrick. with neither seeing any action. There was also no match involvement for Southampton duo Shane Long and Will Smallbone both of whom remained on the substitute bench as their side suffered a four nil defeat at Liverpool. Norwich City named Andrew Omobamidele and Adam Idah on their substitute bench for the visit of Wolverhampton Wanderers where they remained as the sides played out a scoreless draw. The late kick-off saw Brighton & Hove Albion and visitors Leeds United play out a scoreless draw which was dominated by the hosts with their failure to convert any of their many chances proving frustrating. Shane Duffy is likely to have been disappointed with his relegation to the substitute bench.
St Mirren included Jamie McGrath and Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Connor Ronan in their starting eleven for their two nil Scottish Premiership defeat by hosts Heart of Midlothian at Tynecastle.
The early Championship kick-off featured Alan Browne in action with Preston North End together with Sean Maguire as they held leaders Fulham to a one all draw at Deepdale. AFC Bournemouth, who currently lie second on the table, played host to resurgent Coventry City and included Mark Travers and Gavin Kilkenny in their starting eleven as they dropped two points by conceding two late goals following their red card reduction to ten men. Troubled Cardiff City collected the points with a two one victory at Luton Town where Mark McGuinness and James Collins both started for the victors. Peterborough United included Jack Taylor and West Ham United loanee Conor Coventry in their starting eleven for their scoreless draw with visitors Barnsley. Ryan Manning started and scored for Swansea City who suffered a surprise three two home defeat by visitors Reading.
Portsmouth travelled to Gillingham in League One where Manchester City loanee Gavin Bazunu and Ronan Curtis were in their starting eleven as they scored the only goal in added time. The reason for the absence of Troy Parrott from the last two MK Dons matchday squads is not clear but the Tottenham Hotspur loanee was named on the substitute bench for their four nil victory at Morecambe and was introduced for the final three minutes. Chiedoze Ogbene started and Joshua Kayode was an 83rd minute substitute for Rotherham United who played out a scoreless draw at Oxford United. James McClean and Will Keane were in the Wigan Athletic side which made the lengthy journey to Plymouth Argyle where they secured a two one victory with Keane on the scoresheet. Young defender Cillian Brennan retained his starting role with Sheffield Wednesday who were held to a two all draw by Wycombe Wanderers at Hillsborough where Daryl Horgan was a 69th minute substitute for the visitors.
Josh Cullen was again in midfield action for RSC Anderlecht who secured a three one Belgian First Division victory at Charleroi.