Sunday
The FA Cup fourth round continued on Sunday afternoon with Chelsea defeating Championship side Luton Town by three goals to one. James Collins was a 60th minute substitute for the defeated ‘Hatters’. Burnley included Kevin Long in their starting eleven for their three nil victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage. Long had a fine match and capped it by scoring the third goal. Young defender Jimmy Dunne was also introduced for the final seven minutes. Caoimhin Kelleher was on the substitute bench for Liverpool who went down to a three two defeat at Manchester United. Goodison Park hosted the meeting of Everton and Sheffield Wednesday with Seamus Coleman starting for the ‘Toffees’ who secured a comfortable three nil victory. 20 year old Ciaran Brennan filled a centre back position for the visiting ‘Owls’ and was excellent throughout.
There was a Championship outing for Preston North End and Reading at 12.30pm with Alan Brown and Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Jayson Molumby starting for the hosts as the sides played out a scoreless draw. Darragh Lenihan and his Blackburn Rovers colleagues travelled to Miidlesbrough and secured three points from a one nil victory.
Saturday
There was FA Cup fourth round action in St Mary’s Stadium early on Saturday afternoon when Southampton defeated visitors Arsenal by one goal to nil. Shane Long started their hard fought two nil victory over Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday night but was a very late substitute this afternoon. There were a number of all Championship ties with Barnsley defeating Norwich City with the only goal at Oakwell. The ‘Canaries’ included eighteen year old Andrew Omobamadele on their substitute bench. Danny McNamara was an unused substitute while Troy Parrott started for Millwall who crashed to a three nil defeat by visitors Bristol City who included goalkeeper Max O’Leary in their starting eleven. Midweek loan signing Conor Hourihane started for Swansea City alongside Ryan Manning as they crushed visitors Nottingham Forest by five goals to one. Cyrus Christie was an unused substitute for the visitors. Sheffield United included John Egan and Enda Stevens in their starting eleven as they progressed to round five with a two one victory over League One side Plymouth Argyle.
There was Premier League action on Saturday evening with Aston Villa comfortably defeating visitors Newcastle United by two goals to nil. Jeff Hendrick was in midfield action with the defeated ‘Magpies’ but injury ruled out Ciaran Clark.
The Championship saw QPR go down to a one nil defeat by Derby County and Jason Knight at Loftus Road where young Louie Watson was an unused substitute for the victorious ‘Rams’.
Loan signings Mark Travers and Conor Masterson were in the Swindon Town side which drew two each with Charlton Athletic at The Valley in League One. Loanee Thomas O’Connor and his Gillingham colleagues were held to a two all draw by vicirors Rochdale who included loanee Gavin Bazunu in their starting eleven alongside Jimmy Kwho scored both of their goals. The Ipswich Town quartet of Arsenal loanee Mark McGuinness, Stephen Ward, Alan Judge and Aaron Drinan started as they went down to a one nil defeat by visitors Peterborough United and Jack Taylor. Joint leaders Lincoln City included Anthony Scully in their starting eleven and he scored in their two one success over visitors Northampton Town. Ronan Curtis and Marcus Harness started for Portsmouth who crashed to a four nil defeat by visiting joint leaders Hull City.
Aston Villa loanee Tyreik Wright and Liam Kinsella were in the Walsall side for their three one League Two victory at Port Vale while Tranmere Rovers defeated visitors Bolton Wanderers by two goals to one. Loanee Zack Elbouzedi together with Eoin Doyle and Ryan Delaney started for the visitors with Elbouzedi withdrawn at half time and Delaney dismissed on 75 minutes.