January 15th
Belgian Pro League
Josh Cullen continued his run in the Anderlecht starting eleven, completing 90 minutes for a seventh consecutive game. Unfortunately for Anderlecht they lost the game 2-0 to KAS Eupen.
January 16th
English Premier League
The Black Country derby was a thrilling affair on Saturday as West Brom came from one goal down to beat Wolves 3-2. Callum Robinson played his part in the win after he was brought down twice in Wolves’ box. Matheus Pereira converted the resulting penalties.
Robbie Brady started his eight consecutive game for Burnley in their 1-0 loss to West Ham while at Leicester, Shane Long featured for the final twenty minutes as Southampton lost their first game since their defeat to Manchester City in December.
Will Smallbone got his first taste of action since September’s defeat to Spurs but disaster struck when the U-21 international was forced off after an hour through injury. The midfielder will now miss the remainder of the season.
English Championship
In the Championship, Scott Hogan’s goal proved decisive as Birmingham held on to claim all three points against Middlesborough. A real poacher’s finish which ended Hogan’s eight game run without a goal.
Centre-halves Nathan Collins and Darragh Lenihan came head to head but neither Stoke City nor Blackburn Rovers could find a winning goal with the game ending all square. James McClean missed the game after breaching COVID-19 guidelines.
Both James Collins and Glen Rea featured in Luton Town’s superb win over third place Bournemouth. At Bristol City, there were starts for Sean Maguire and Alan Browne as Preston suffered their third successive defeat in all competitions. Jayson Molumby had to settle for a seat on the bench before replacing Maguire for the final stages of the game.
At the top of the table, Norwich City maintain their four point lead over second place Swansea City. They beat Cardiff City 2-1 and Irish youngster Andrew Omobamidele was introduced for the final minutes of the tie marking his senior debut for the club.
It was also a momentous day for Jason Knight. He captained Derby County in Wayne Rooney’s first game as the official manager. A great achievement for the 19-year-old who is clearly a firm favourite under Rooney. Unfortunately for the Rams they lost to fellow strugglers Rotherham United by one goal to nil.
Cyrus Christie, Troy Parrott, Danny McNamara and Alex Pearce all featured in Nottingham Forrest’s 3-1 victory over Millwall.
English League One
Sunderland are now unbeaten in seven games under new boss Lee Johnson and move to eight in the league after comfortably beating Wimbledon by three goals to nil. Aiden O’Brien set up Sunderland’s first of the afternoon.
However, assist of the weekend goes to Ireland U-21 shot stopper Gavin Bazunu who launched a ball from one box to the other for Jake Beesley to bravely nod home. It’s not every day you see an assist like that! Will Keane scored Wigan’s third of the game but Rochdale drew level in the 95th minute and the game finished 3-3.
Meanwhile at Ipswich Town fellow Ireland U-21 international Mark McGuinness continues to impress during his loan spell from Arsenal. The defender headed home Alan Judge’s free kick in the 72nd minute. A winning goal and a clean sheet. He’ll take that.
21-year-old Southampton loanee Thomas O’Connor started his twelfth game of the season for Gillingham. They beat Accrington Stanley 1-0.
Jack Taylor played the full ninety in Peterborough United’s 3-0 win against MK Dons while Portsmouth beat Fleetwood Town to stay third in the league. Marcus Harness, Glenn Whelan and Paddy Madden all featured. Ronan Curtis remains unavailable after returning a positive COVID-19 test result.
English League Two
Bolton Wanderers picked up a point at home to Cheltenham Town thanks to a late equaliser from Eoin Doyle. The Dubliner has now scored nine goals this season. Zack Elbouzedi also made his debut for the club after his loan switch from Lincoln City.
Padraig Amond came on for the final minutes in Newport County’s draw with Salford City to mark his 600th professional appearance. A tremendous feat for the Irish striker!
Scottish Premiership
There was another start at the back and a clean sheet for Shane Duffy in Celtic’s 0-0 draw with Livingston.
Alan Power scored at the wrong end in Kilmarnock’s defeat 2-0 to Hibernian.
January 17th
English Premier League
Enda Stevens returned to Sheffield United’s starting eleven alongside John Egan and David McGoldrick. The game ended 3-1 to Spurs with McGoldrick getting a consolation goal for the Blades. He has now scored six in all competitions this season.
Crystal Palace suffered a heavy defeat to Manchester City with James McCarthy featuring for the full ninety. City are now unbeaten in all competitions since November 21st.
Cypriot First Division
Jack Byrne made his return to the APOEL squad on Sunday evening and was given a run-out for the last twenty minutes in their win over Pafos.
January 18th
English Premier League
Arsenal and Newcastle United went head to head on Monday evening with Mikel Arteta’s side coming out on top. The Magpies have now gone nine games without a win, losing seven of those fixtures. Ciaran Clark played the full game while Jeff Hendrick featured for the final ten minutes.
January 19th
English Premier League
There was another loss for West Brom on Tuesday evening after they failed to capitalize on their good performance and win in the Black Country derby. Callum Robinson and Dara O’Shea started their 12th and 13th Premier League games, respectively.
English FA Cup
Southampton hosted League One side Shrewsbury Town in their rescheduled FA Cup clash. Shane Long got 80 minutes under his belt as the Saints won 2-0.
English Championship
In the Championship, Derby County bounced back from their defeat to Rotherham United to pull off an impressive victory against Bournemouth who drop to sixth in the league. Jason Knight captained the Derby side for the second game running and continues to draw praise from his new manager.
James McClean returned to action for Stoke City and made an immediate impact, setting up Nick Powell to score the equaliser in their 3-3 draw away to Rotherham.
English League One
Four Irish players were in action as MK Dons welcomed Fleetwood Town to Stadium MK. Paddy Madden and Glenn Whelan started for Fleetwood, with Madden assisting their only goal.
However, it was Joe Mason who stole the show. Before this game the striker had only found the net once this season. Now he sits on four goals after a match-winning hattrick. Warren O’Hora also impressed at the back in his first game since completing a permanent move to the League One side.
Aiden O’Brien was also on the scoresheet for his first of the campaign in Sunderland’s defeat to Plymouth Argyle.
And finally to Portsmouth where Ronan Curtis marked his return to the side with an assist in their comfortable 4-0 victory over Wimbledon.
January 20th
English Championship
Richard Keogh returned to the Championship, making his debut for Huddersfield Town against Millwall. Millwall edged this game thanks to an early goal from Scott Malone who converted Danny McNamara’s cross. The Irish full-back has hit the ground running since his return to England.
Jayson Molumby also grabbed himself an assist in Preston’s 1-0 win over Birmingham City. A powerful run from the midfielder which resulted in Scott Sinclair calmly finding the bottom corner to seal the win.
Scottish Premiership
Celtic’s poor run of form continues after they failed to win for their fourth game in a row. Their clash with Livingston ended all square for the second time in five days with the main talking point involving former Shelbourne winger Jaze Kabia. The 20-year-old will never forget his debut for Livingston after finding himself at the end of a swinging Scott Brown elbow which ultimately led to his sending off.
Shane Duffy started his fourth consecutive game for Celtic but will be hoping for an upturn in fortune if he wants to keep his place in the side.
Australian A-League
There was an eight goal thriller in the A-League as Perth Glory beat Adelaide United by five goals to three. Former Ireland international Andy Keogh claimed two assists in the victory.
January 21st
English Premier League
And last, but certainly not least we head to Anfield where Liverpool’s 68-game unbeaten home run ended in defeat to Burnley. Robbie Brady played his part in the win but it was Ashley Barnes who converted the all-important penalty.