Thursday
This was another busy night in the Premier League with James McCarthy starting for Crystal Palace in their two nil defeat by Manchester United at Selhurst Park. Seamus Coleman for Everton and Conor Hourihane for Aston Villa both completed the full contest as their respective sides played out a one all draw at Goodison Park. The Sheffield United trio of John Egan, Enda Stevens and David McGoldrick all started their two nil defeat at Leicester City with McGoldrick withdrawn at half-time. The South coast meeting of Southampton and Brighton & Hove Albion ended in a one all draw. The hosts included Michael Obafemi and Will Smallbone in their starting eleven with Shane Long an unused substitute while Aaron Connolly and Shane Duffy were unused on the visitors substitute bench.
Wednesday
Turf Moor hosted the Premier League meeting of Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers this Wednesday afternoon which saw the hosts equalise from the penalty spot in the 6th minute of added time. Kevin Long started for Burnley while Robbie Brady was an 85th minute substitute with Jimmy Dunne an unused substitute. Matt Doherty was introduced from the visitors substitute bench on 70 minutes and played a part in their goal before being unfortunate to concede the late penalty.
Tuesday
Adam Idah was a 79th minute substitute for already relegated Norwich City who went down to a one nil defeat by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this Tuesday evening.
Monday
The Southampton quartet of Shane Long, Michael Obafemi, Will Smallbone and Will Ferry were all named on the substitute bench for this evening’s meeting with Manchester United in Old Trafford. The visiting ‘Saints’ took an early lead but the hosts responded with two goals in quick succession midway through the first half. Thereafter the contest was quite competitive with little between the two sides. Shane Long was introduced on 65 minutes followed five minutes later by Will Smallbone and both made an impact. The third Irish substitute Michael Obafemi entered the fray on 87 minutes and his contribution was the equaliser, following a corner in the sixth minute of added time.
Sunday
Molineaux hosted the meeting of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton at noon on Sunday where Matt Doherty started for the hosts while Seamus Coleman was named on the opposition bench but an injury brought Coleman into the fray on 31 minutes. The ‘Toffees’ were bitterly disappointing and Wolves secured a comfortable three nil victory. Relegation threatened Aston Villa played host to Crystal Palace at 2.15pm and secured a two nil victory to keep their survival hopes alive. Conor Hourihane started for the hosts and was involved in both of their goals. James McCarthy was a half-time substitute for the ‘Eagles’ but made little impact in a match dominated by the hosts.
Saturday
Carrow Road hosted the Premier League meeting of Norwich City and West Ham United at 12.30pm on Saturday afternoon which saw the hosts relegated following a four nil defeat. Adam Idah was a 69th minute substitute for the ‘Canaries’ while Darren Randolph was unused on the substitute bench for the visiting ‘Hammers’. Kevin Long started with Robbie Brady and Jimmy Dunne unused on the substitute bench for Burnley who earned a one all Anfield draw with champions Liverpool. David McGoldrick passed a late fitness test and joined John Egan and Enda Stevens in the Sheffield United starting eleven for the visit of Chelsea. McGoldrick earned the ‘man of the match’ award with an excellent performance embellished by two goals, his first in Premier League football, as the ‘Blades’ secured a three nil success. In the late kick-off, Aaron Connolly started for Brighton & Hove Albion while Shane Duffy was an unused substitute as they were crushed by five goals to nil by AMEX Stadium visitors Manchester City.