Sunday
Burnley followed their midweek Premier League victory over Aston Villa with a trip to face Chelsea in Stamford Bridge at noon where they went down to a two nil defeat. Robbie Brady was again in the starting eleven while Kevin Long and Jimmy Dunne were unused on the substitute bench. Later at 4.30pm West Ham United faced Liverpool in the London Stadium where goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher was an unused substitute for the visitors who secured an excellent three one victory. Aaron Connolly was introduced from the Brighton & Hove Albion substitute bench in the 79th minute of their one nil victory over visitors Tottenham Hotspur for whom Matt Doherty was an unused substitute.
Saturday
Everton and Seamus Coleman suffered a two nil Premier League defeat by Newcastle United at Goodison Park in today’s early kick-off. Jeff Hendrick started for the ‘Magpies’ while Ciaran Clark, on his return following injury, was introduced from the substitute bench on 54 minutes of a fully deserved victory. James McCarthy started for Crystal Palace and was having a fine match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Selhurst Park before injury struck again and forced his withdrawal at half-time. His Palace side scored the only goal in the second half for victory. Sheffield United were not expected to replicate their result of Wednesday last when they returned to Manchester where current table toppers City were their hosts and so it was. The ‘Blades’ conceded a very early goal which proved to be the winner as they defended stoutly thereafter. John Egan returned following his suspension while David McGoldrick was introduced from the substitute bench on 62 minutes. West Bromwich Albion included Dara O’Shea and Callum Robinson in their starting eleven for the visit of Fulham but O’Shea was withdrawn on 24 minutes despite not showing any sign of injury with Robinson withdrawn at half-time as the sides played out a two all draw. The 8pm kick-off sees Southampton welcome Aston Villa to St Mary’s Stadium with Shane Long likely to be on the home substitute bench.
Current Championship leaders Norwich City were held to a scoreless draw by Middlesbrough at Carrow Road in the early kick-off. Teenage striker Adam Idah returned on the substitute bench following his lengthy injury absence and was introduced for the final six minutes of the contest. Scott Hogan and his Birmingham City colleagues played out a one all draw with their temporary tenants Coventry City. Blackburn Rovers and Darragh Lenihan defeated Luton Town by one goal to nil at Ewood Park where James Collins started for the ‘Hatters’ but was withdrawn on 64 minutes. Having faced hometown and first love Barnsley in his maiden outing as Cardiff City manager, Mick McCarthy saw his side secure a one all draw with visitors Millwall, the club at which he cut his managerial teeth as player manager. The visiting ‘Lions’ included Danny McNamara in their starting eleven with Troy Parrott unused on their substitute bench alongside veterans Alex Pearce and Shaun Williams. Midfielder Jason Knight started for Derby County with Louie Watson on the substitute bench for their one nil victory over visitors Bristol City at Pride Park. Richard Keogh started for Huddersfield Town who played out a one all draw with visitors Stoke City and their Irish duo Nathan Collins and James McClean. The City Ground hosted the meeting of Nottingham Forest and Barnsley where Cyrus Christie was in action with the hosts as the contest finished scoreless. Aston Villa loanee Conor Hourihane started and scored after 28 minutes for promotion chasing Swansea City who defeated hosts Rotherham United by three goals to one. Ryan Manning was an unused substitute for the ‘Swans’. Keiren Westwood started for Sheffield Wednesday in their one nil Hillsborough victory over visitors Preston North End who included Alan Browne and loanee Jayson Molumby in their starting eleven while another loanee, Greg Cunningham was a 78th minute substitute.
First into League One action on Saturday afternoon were Sunderland and Gillingham who played out a two all draw in the Stadium of Light. The hosts included Aiden McGeady and Aiden O’Brien in their starting eleven. Crewe Alexandra played out a one all draw with visitors Ipswich Town for whom Alan Judge and Arsenal loanee Mark McGuinness started with Stephen Ward and Aaron Drinan on the substitute bench. Drinan made quite an entry, scoring the equaliser within seconds of his 75th minute introduction. Swindon Town went down to a one nil defeat at league leaders Hull City where loanees Mark Travers and Conor Masterson were in their starting eleven. Anthony Scully was a 77th minute substotute for Lincoln City who suffered a one nil defeat by visitors Doncaster Rovers. Midfielder Jack Taylor started for Peterborough United at Shrewsbury Town but was forced off through injury on 43 minutes with his side conceding twice in the second half for a two nil defeat.
Loanee Joshua Kayode was a 55th minute substitute for Carlisle United in their one nil League Two victory over visitors Exeter City. Another loanee, Zack Elbouzedi was a 79th minute substitute for Bolton Wanderers who defeated visitors Leyton Orient by two goals to nil with Eoin Doyle again on the scoresheet.