Weekend action at home and abroad…25/04/2021

 

Sunday
The Premier League continued at noon on Sunday with Wolverhampton Wanderers  crashing to a four nil defeat by visitors Burnley at Molineaux.  The visiting ‘Clarets’ included Jimmy Dunne on their substitute bench but injury ruled out  Kevin Long and Robbie Brady who is likely to be out for the remainder of the season. The ‘Midlands Derby’ meeting of Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion is scheduled for 7pm with Dara O’Shea and Callum Robinson in the visiting ‘Baggies’ matchday squad.

There was also a noon kick-off  for the Championship contest between Reading and Swansea City which ended in a two all draw.  Aston Villa loanee  Conor Hourihane was in action for the visiting ‘Swans’.  Later at 1pm, Bristol City played host to Luton Town  at Ashton Gate where the hosts led by two goals to nil at half-time.  James Collins was introduced from the ‘Hatters’ bench for the second half and scored on 59 minutes. His side followed this with two further goals for a three two victory.

Saturday

First into Premier League action on Saturday afternoon were Liverpool and Newcastle United who played out a one all draw at Anfield. The visiting ‘Magpies’ included Ciaran Clark in their starting eleven  but he was withdrawn on 64 minutes while  Jeff Hendrick  was unused on their substitute bench.  Conor Coventry and Ademipo Odubeko together with fit again Darren Randolph were unused substitutes for  West Ham United who went down to a one nil defeat by  Chelsea at the London Stadium. Relegated Sheffield United included  John Egan and Enda Stevens in their starting eleven  together with David McGoldrick who scored the only goal after 19 minutes for victory over visitors  Brighton & Hove Albion for whom Aaron Connolly was a 67th minute substitute.

Promotion chasers AFC Bournemouth and Brentford locked Championship  horns in the Vitality Stadium at 12.30pm with the visiting ‘Bees’ securing a one nil success. Mark Travers and Gavin Kilkenny were unused on the bench for the host ‘Cherries’.  Darragh Lenihan and Blackburn Rovers defeated Huddersfield Town and Richard Keogh by five goals to two at Ewood Park. Daryl Horgan was an unused substitute for Wycombe Wanderers who went down to two one defeat at Mick McCarthy‘s Cardiff City. Alan Browne, scored  the only goal from the penalty spot for Preston North End at Coventry City where Sean Maguire started and was withdrawn on 66 minutes while loanees  Greg Cunningham and  Jayson Molumby were unused substitutes.  Jason Knight started while Festy Ebosole and Louie Watson were unused substitutes for struggling Derby County who went down to a two one home defeat by Birmingham City.   Keiren Westwood started for Sheffield Wednesday who suffered  a three one defeat at Middlesbrough.  Loanee Cyrus Christie was in action  for Nottingham Forest who played out a one all draw with visitors  Stoke City.  Teenage centre back Andrew Omobamidele was in the Norwich City side which secured  a three one victory at QPR.  Young Danny McNamara started for Millwall whio went down to a one nil defeat at  Watford, a result which guaranteed promotion for the ‘Hornets’.   f

The battle for promotion continued at the summit of League One with Hull City securing the first slot with a two one victory at Lincoln City who included Anthony Scully in their starting eleven. Ronan Curtis scored  the only goal for Portsmouth to secure victory over visitors Bristol Rovers while Jack Taylor was in midfield action for Peterborough United who defeated hosts Charlton Athletic with the only goal at The Valley. Ipswich Town stumbled again as they were held to a scoreless draw by AFC Wimbledon at Portman Road.  The veteran Stephen Ward and Arsenal loanee Mark McGuinness  were in defence for the ‘Tractor Boys’ while Aaron Drinan was a 68th minute substitute.

Rotherham United loanee Joshua Kayode scored  the Carlisle United goal in their one all draw with  League Two visitors Harrowgate Town.  Aston Villa loanee Tyreik Wright was in action with Walsall who defeated their hosts Scunthorpe United and Mason O’Malley by two goals to nil.  Glasgow Celtic loanee Lee O’Connor was in action with Tranmere Rovers who defeated visitors Barrow by one goal to nil.

Glasgow Celtic loanee Jonathan Afolabi was an unused substitute for Dundee  who secure  a two one Scottish Championship victory over visitors Raith Rovers.  Aaron McEneff scored  for Heart of Midlothian in their three nil victory over visitors Inverness Caledonian Thistle.