November 25th
Europa League
James McCarthy was a second-half substitute in Celtic’s 3-2 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen on Thursday evening.
Europa Conference League
There was a shock defeat for Spurs — and a first loss for Antonio Conte — against Slovenian side NS Mura. Matt Doherty played 53 minutes in the defeat.
November 26th
English Championship
Irish duo Jayson Molumby and Callum Robinson both featured in West Brom’s 0-0 draw at home to Nottingham Forest on Friday night, and it was the former who caught the headlines for the wrong reasons. Molumby was sent off in the 70th minute for a second bookable offence, leaving his side with an uphill task of finding the crucial winner. The Baggies are now four games without a win and have dropped to fourth in the league.
English League Two
In contrast to his Irish compatriot, former international Alan Judge did have a positive impact on his side’s result, assisting a late equalizer for Colchester United in their 1-1 draw with Newport County.
November 27th
English Championship
Ryan Manning scored his first goal of the season, and his first for Swansea City, in their 3-2 loss at home to Reading. The full-back levelled things up for the Swans in the 49th minute but they barely had time to celebrate before the ball was in their own net and they were back to chasing the game. However, let’s not take anything away from Manning’s finish which was a terrific volley into the top corner with his weaker foot.
English League One
The majority of Saturday’s overseas Irish action came in the English third tier where there was three goal scorers along with a couple of goal providers. Firstly to Plymouth where Will Keane netted Wigan Athletics’ first goal of the afternoon and followed that up with an assist for a decisive stoppage time winner against the home side. It’s not often you can say an assist was better than a goal but Keane’s deft touch to set up the winner was worth the three points alone. His goal wasn’t too shabby either as he took one touch inside the six-yard box before swiveling and tapping the ball into an empty net. The Latics remain second in League One.
After 11 appearances (six starts), Olamide Shodipo finally got off the mark for Sheffield Wednesday in their 2-2 draw with Wycombe Wanderers. The forward buried his chance when the ball fell to him with only the goal in sight.
Elsewhere, set-piece specialist Tom O’Connor’s free-kick evaded everyone in the box and found it’s way into the net in Burton Albion’s 2-0 win, marking his fifth goal of the season. The former Southampton midfielder is enjoying life in League One since his permanent arrival in the summer.
O’Connor joined Will Keane and MK Dons Irish duo Warren O’Hora and Peter Kioso in the League One ‘Team of the Week’. The Dons came away from Morecambe with four goals and three points which takes them up to sixth in the division.
Arsenal academy product Dan Crowley assisted Cheltenham Town’s first goal of the game in a 2-2 draw with Bolton Wanderers.
Scottish Premiership
Dundee centre-half Ryan Sweeney scored his second goal of the campaign in a comfortable 3-0 win over Motherwell.
The game between St Mirren and Hearts was all but dead and buried when Joe Shaughnessy was shown a red card in stoppage time in a 2-0 defeat for St Mirren.
November 28th
English Championship
Paul Heckingbottom took charge of his first game as Sheffield United’s permanent manager and got off to a winning start with John Egan, Enda Stevens, Conor Hourihane and David McGoldrick all in the starting eleven. Stevens and McGoldrick assisted both goals in a second successive league win for the Blades.
November 29th
Allsvenskan
AIK moved up to second in the league and Irish winger Zack Elbouzedi more than played his part in the crucial win over fourth placed IF Elfsborg. Elbouzedi’s corner was headed in for AIK’s first goal of the game, while his long-range strike was parried into the path of Stefanelli who netted their third in the 4-2 victory.
November 30th
English Premier League
Adam Idah and Andrew Omobamidele again missed out on a place in Norwich City’s starting team and it wasn’t long before Newcastle United centre-back Ciaran Clark joined them on the sideline after he was shown a straight red after just nine minutes. It looked as though Newcastle had pulled off an impressive win with 10 men… until Norwich equalized in the 79th minute. Idah played the final 20 minutes in the 1-1 draw.
EFL Trophy
Colchester United defeated Swindon Town on Tuesday evening thanks to a brace from Luke Chambers with both goals assisted by Alan Judge (three assists in two games). There were also assists on the night for Bolton striker Eoin Doyle and Rotherham United’s Kieran Sadlier with both teams progressing to the next round of the competition.
Troy Parrott missed out on taking a penalty kick for MK Dons in their cup win after he was sent off in the 91st minute of normal time for violent conduct.
Meanwhile Wigan midfielder Baba Adeeko came on at half-time for his third cup appearance of the season and continues to grab the attention of the Wigan supporter with his impressive performances. The 18-year-old is one to keep an eye on for the future.
Belgian Cup
Josh Cullen converted his penalty as Anderlecht knocked out RFC Seraing to book their place in the quarter-finals of the Belgian Cup.
December 1st
English Premier League
After missing out on the game against Leeds United on the weekend, Shane Duffy’s services were called upon from the bench after Adam Webster went down injured in the 36th minute. Just after the interval Duffy was nearly credited with an own-goal, however it was ruled out by VAR and the game finished all square at one apiece.
Fellow Irish international and centre-half Nathan Collins picked up his fourth league start of the season in a goalless draw with Wolves and Burnley gaffer Sean Dyche is definitely a fan of the young defender.
Unfortunately for Seamus Coleman, it was a night to forget as Everton’s run of form went from bad to worse after they lost 4-1 to Liverpool in the Merseyside Derby. The Ireland captain was at fault for the third goal of the game as his poor touch was pounced upon by Mohammed Salah who then left Coleman in the dust before scoring his second of the match.
EFL Trophy
League Two side Oldham Athletic saw off the challenge of Sunderland to progress to the final 16 of the EFL Trophy. And it was Ireland youth international Harry Vaughan who scored the important winner with a goal that he certainly won’t forget in a hurry.
Scottish Premiership
Aberdeen moved up to 7th in the league with a win over Livingston. Jonny Hayes set up the second goal in the victory with his first assist of the season.