The festive season schedule continues…30/12/2020

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.