The Irish Post’s weekly look at how Irish players got on in the English soccer leagues:
Premier League
John O’Shea lined out for Sunderland at home as they became the first team this season to prevent Chelsea scoring as they earned a 0-0 draw.
Aston Villa sealed a 1-1 draw away to Burnley, in the club’s first game since Roy Keane left his role as assistant manager. Jack Grealish came on for Villa in the second-half, before the home side secured a point with a late penalty.
Robbie Brady, Stephen Quinn and David Meyler featured in Hull’s 3-0 defeat by Manchester United at Old Trafford, in what was Tigers’ boss Steve Bruce’s 700th game as manager.
Everton’s trip to White Hart Lane ended in a 2-1 defeat, with Seamus Coleman and substitute Aiden McGeady featuring in Roberto Martinez side as they ended an eight-game unbeaten run in all competitions.
Jon Walters and Marc Wilson started for Stoke City as they lost 1-0 to Liverpool at Anfield. The visitors held on to a draw until the 85th minute, when Glen Johnson’s header ended the host’s run of three successive league defeats.
West Ham moved up to fifth in the table after Aaron Cresswell scored his first league goal by tapping in past Newcastle goalkeeper Rob Elliot.
Championship
Ipswich find themselves one point behind Championship leaders Derby, after Noel Hunt scored a late goal against hosts Charlton. Hunt joins the club on-loan from Leeds to join his brother Stephen under Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy.
Anthony Pilkington started for Cardiff in their first league win away from home this season with the only goal at Watford.
Wigan’s Chris McCann opened the scoring against Sheffield Wednesday with a powerful header into the roof of Kieren Westwood’s goal. But the hosts responded with two goals, ending their 11-game run without a win.
Reading picked up their first win in three games away at Norwich with a 2-1 score-line. Kyle Lafferty lined out for the Canaries, who remain in the middle of the table.
A controversial injury-time goal levelled the scores for Blackburn in their 1-1 draw at Middlesborough. Shane Duffy played his part by denying the home side an opportunity to widen the lead.
Derby’s Jeff Hendrick missed the chance to open the scoring away against Leeds when he struck a 20-yard effort wide. The hosts were able to seal a 2-0 victory, but Derby remain top of the table by a point.
Brentford moved up to third in the Championship after striking 4 goals past a struggling Wolves side that included Matt Doherty.
David Forde was in goal for Millwall as they rescued a late 2-2 draw against hosts Bournemouth.
Stephen Gleeson, Darren Randolph and substitute Callum Reilly featured for Birmingham as they beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 at home. Five successive games without defeat under new manager Gary Rowett moves the Blues up two places to 17th in the table.
