Sunday
Darren Randolph was again an unused substitute for West Ham United who shocked their hosts Leicester City with a three nil victory in the Premier League at noon on Sunday. At the same time Southampton overcame visitors West Bromwich Albion by two goals to nil at St Mary’s Stadium where Shane Long was an 84th minute substitute with Michael Obafemi and Will Smallbone remaining on the substitute bench while Dara O’Shea and Callum Robinson both started for the visitors with Robinson withdrawn on 60 minutes. Another trio, John Egan, Enda Stevens and David McGoldrick, started for Sheffield United who went down to a two one defeat at Arsenal with McGoldrick scoring the goal for the ‘Blades’. In the 4.30pm kick-off, Matt Doherty was unused on the Tottenham Hotspur substitute bench for their six one crushing of Manchester United at Old Trafford. Conor Hourihane was an unused substitute for Aston Villa who demolished visitors Liverpool by seven goals to two in this evening’s late kick-off. Goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher is probably happy to have remained on the visiting substitute bench.
In the Championship, Alan Browne and Sean Maguire both started for Preston North End who recovered from a two goal half-time deficit to secure a four two victory over their hosts Brentford with Maguire scoring the fourth goal. Stoke City, for whom James McClean was an 81st minute substitute, played out a one all draw with visitors Birmingham City who introduced Scott Hogan from their substitute bench in the 87th minute.
Shane Duffy and his Glasgow Celtic colleagues secured a very late two nil Scottish Premiership victory at St Johnstone for whom Millwall loanee Danny McNamara was again in action.
Saturday
James McCarthy was in Premier League action on Saturday afternoon when his Crystal Palace made the short trip to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge where they suffered a four nil defeat with McCarthy being substituted on 67 minutes. Later in the afternoon, Everton defeated Brighton & Hove Albion by four goals to two with Seamus Coleman in excellent form until his 57th minute injury withdrawal which raises a doubt concerning his availability to link up with the international squad. Aaron Connolly had little opportunity to make an impact for the ‘Seagulls’ before his 66th minute withdrawal. Later this evening, Jeff Hendrick completed the full 90 minutes against his former club Burnley when his Newcastle United secured a three one victory at St James Park. Kevin Long started for the visiting ‘Clarets’ with Jimmy Dunne and Robbie Brady unused on the substitute bench.
First into Championship action on Saturday afternoon was our U21 midfielder Jason Knight whose seemingly limitless energy proved vital in the one nil victory for Derby County at Norwich City for whom Adam Idah was a 57th minute substitute. Derrick Williams was in action with Blackburn Rovers who played out a scoreless draw with visitors Cardiff City at Ewood Park. Nottingham Forest included Harry Arter and Cyrus Christie in their starting eleven for their two one defeat by visitors Bristol City for whom Callum O’Dowda was an unused substitute after his injury absence. Arter was a 68th minute injury withdrawal the extent of which is as yet unknown.
U21 striker Zach Elbouzedi has seen very little League One action with his club Lincoln City so far this season and was again an unused substitute in their three two victory at Blackpool. Jack Taylor was in action with Peterborough United who defeated visitors Swindon Town by three goals to one while Manchester City loanee Gavin Bazunu was in goalkeeping action with Rochdale who overcame visitors Fleetwood Town by two goals to one.
Loanee striker Joshua Kayode was in action with League Two side Carlisle United who scored the only goal to defeat visitors Barrow while fellow loanee Lee O’Connor was in the Tranmere Rovers side which defeated visitors Scunthorpe United by two goals to nil.
Friday
Goalkeeper Mark Travers was on the AFC Bournemouth bench for their three one Championship victory at Coventry City on Friday evening.