February 19th
English Championship
Derby County held onto 19th spot in the Championship despite losing away to Watford on Friday night. Jason Knight got 90 minutes of action.
February 20th
English Premier League
Dara O’Shea’s services were required in West Brom’s clash with Burnley. He filled in for Semi Ajayi who was sent off after 32 minutes. Despite playing against ten men, Burnley were unable to find a breakthrough and the game finished 0-0.
Everton won their first game against their rivals Liverpool at Anfield since 1999 on Saturday evening. Seamus Coleman started in a more advanced role on the right for the Toffees who secured the three points and a historic win thanks to goals from Richarlison and a Gylfi Sigurdsson penalty.
Enda Stevens returned from injury in Sheffield United’s 1-0 loss to fellow strugglers Fulham. The Dubliner came close to equalizing for the Blades but his tame effort was denied by Fulham keeper Areola.
English Championship
To Sheffield first where Scott Hogan scored the only goal of the game against Sheffield Wednesday in a crucial fixture at the bottom of the table. The striker has now scored three goals in his last four games with Birmingham moving out of the bottom three.
Shane Long was also on the scoresheet for Bournemouth, netting his first for the club. However, QPR went on to win the tie in 83rd minute through a Todd Kane goal.
The final Irish goalscorer in the Championship on Saturday was that man again, Conor Hourihane, who scored his fourth goal in five games for Swansea. The Corkman curled in a terrific free-kick that was worthy of winning any game… but unfortunately for the Swans it would only be a consolation. Huddersfield Town, sitting in 18th, scored three goals in quick succession in the second-half to complete a 4-1 rout.
Elsewhere, there were minutes on the pitch for James McClean and James Collins as Stoke City beat Luton Town 3-0. Nottingham Forest returned to winning ways against Blackburn Rovers (who were without the injured Darragh Lenihan) with Cyrus Christie featuring for Forest. While Daryl Horgan, Jayson Molumby, Alan Browne and Ryan Manning all added to their playing time this season for their respective teams.
English League One
Goals galore in the third tier with Seamus Conneely, Paddy Madden, Peter Kioso and Anthony Scully all finding the net.
After a bit of pinball in the box, Accrington Stanley captain Conneely buried a volley past the Shrewsbury Town keeper. The finish was enough to earn them a draw but not enough to take them into the top six above Sunderland.
Paddy Madden finished off a well-worked move from Fleetwood Town to equalize against Charlton Athletic.
At Wigan, Anthony Scully’s second goal in as many games kick-started a comeback from Lincoln City who remained top of the league thanks to Tom Hopper’s winner.
MK Dons and Northampton Town traded blows, both taking the lead on separate occasions until the Dons scored two in the final ten minutes to clinch the win. Peter Kioso scored Northampton’s third of the game, while Joe Mason assisted Will Grigg for MK Dons’ second goal.
From the goalscorers to the goal providers, and to Burton Albion’s 3-3 draw with Sunderland where Aiden McGeady was at it again. It is now eight assists in the last five games for McGeady who found Grant Leadbitter for Sunderland’s opener.
Nothing could separate Gillingham or Bristol Rovers at half-time which is when Thomas O’Connor was called upon from Gillingham’s bench. The 21-year-old went on to set up their first goal of an afternoon that ended in victory.
Finally to Rochdale where U-21 keeper Gavin Bazunu celebrated his 19th birthday with a clean sheet in their goalless draw with Plymouth Argyle.
English League Two
Morecambe move up to fourth in League Two win their win over Barrow. John O’Sullivan impressed on the right wing, earning him a spot in the Whoscored.com League Two ‘Team of the Week’.
A Bradford City back four containing Irish trio Paudie O’Connor, Niall Canavan and Anthony O’Connor kept out third place Cheltenham Town with the game finishing 2-0 to Bradford.
Walsall midfielder Liam Kinsella was sent off ten minutes into the second-half against Stevenage. His team held on for a well-earned point.
Scottish Premiership
In Scotland, St. Mirren’s Conor McCarthy will not be in a rush to remember Saturday’s clash with Livingston. The defender put the ball in his own net after just eight minutes, however his team pulled one back and the game finished 1-1.
February 21st
English Premier League
Matt Doherty replaced Japhet Tangana at half-time with the aim of inspiring a comeback for Spurs. It was not to be as West Ham doubled their lead early in the second-half and despite a goal from Lucas Moura followed by a flurry of chances, Spurs would go home empty-handed.
Ciaran Clark started in Newcastle United’s 3-1 defeat to Manchester United.
February 23rd
English Championship
Derby County leapfrog Huddersfield Town in the league with their 2-0 victory on Tuesday evening. Both Jason Knight and Richard Keogh featured.
Chris Hughton’s Nottingham Forest team won their second successive game and also kept their fourth clean sheet in five games. Cyrus Christie impressed in the win.
English League One
In League One Sunderland continue their climb up the table. Their 2-0 win over Fleetwood Town takes them up to fifth in the division. Aiden McGeady yet again with another assist, this time for Aiden O’Brien who found the net for Sunderland’s first.
It was also a huge night for Peterborough United who celebrated their fifth win on the trot by overtaking Lincoln City and claiming top spot in the league. Jack Taylor’s 25-yard screamer was the pick of the bunch for Peterborough. The Irish midfielder doesn’t do tap-ins…
There was another goalless draw and clean sheet for Gavin Bazunu and his fellow Irish teammates for Rochdale, this time against Northampton Town.
Finally, there was late drama at Wimbledon who snatched a winner against Gillingham. Shane McLoughlin set up Jack Rudoni for the all-important goal in the 89th minute. The win takes Wimbledon out of the relegation zone.
English League Two
Joshua Kayode opened the scoring for Carlisle United after just two minutes in their game with Tranmere Rovers. It marked the striker’s fifth goal of the campaign and his first since the win over Walsall on January 2nd. Unfortunately for Kayode and Carlisle, they went on to lose the match 3-2.
It is now four wins in a row for Bolton Wanderers who beat Scunthorpe United 2-0. Eoin Doyle scored the first from the penalty spot.
Sean Long’s strike for Cheltenham Town was enough to seal the win against Cambridge United. They are now just two points behind Cambridge with two games in hand.
One goal was all Barrow needed to win in their game away to Oldham Athletic. Jamie Devitt assisted Scott Quigley for the last minute winner.
February 24th
Europa League
It was another comfortable win for Spurs against Wolfsberger in the second leg of their Europa League tie. There was also another assist for Matt Doherty, who teed up Dele Alli in the box for an audacious bicycle kick to open the scoring for the London club.
English Championship
Two goals in two games for Shane Long at new club Bournemouth. The striker was introduced at half-time by manager Jonathan Woodgate and headed home what would be a consolation goal halfway through the second-half.
Conor Hourihane was involved in the goals again on Wednesday evening, this time as a provider. His corner was headed home by Ben Cabango to seal the win for Swansea against Coventry City in the 54th minute.
Both Alan Browne and Greg Cunningham started in Preston’s goalless draw at home to QPR.
Scottish Premiership
It was also goalless at St. Mirren who were up against Motherwell. Jake Doyle-Hayes and Jamie McGrath returned to the starting eleven after short injury spells but it was defender Joe Shaughnessy who received the plaudits for his man of the match performance at the back.