The Irish Post’s weekly look at how Irish players got on in the English soccer leagues:
Barclays Premier League
Northern Irishman Paddy McNair started for Manchester United in the visitors’ 2-1 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, sealing their first away win of the campaign.
Jon Walters netted for hosts Stoke with a diving header, but two early goals from Danny Ings secured a much-needed victory for Burnley, who moved off the bottom of the league.
Sunderland’s visit to Leicester ended in a goalless draw, with John O’Shea lining out for the Black Cats as they moved three points clear from the relegation zone after collecting five points from their past three games.
James McCarthy was included alongside Seamus Coleman in Everton’s 2-1 win at home to West Ham, despite the midfielder controversially being ruled out of Ireland’s recent Euro 2016 qualifier against Scotland.
Hull City’s Stephen Quinn replaced Robbie Brady with three minutes of full-time remaining, in an encounter where Tottenham came from behind to beat Steve Bruce’s 10-man side 2-1.
Damien Delaney played almost 40 minutes for Crystal Palace before being substituted, in the south London club’s 3-1 victory over Liverpool and third win of the season.
Bottom of the table QPR lost 1-0 away to Newcastle, with Richard Dunne picking up one of three yellow cards for the visitors.
Sky Bet Championship
Anthony Pilkington started for Cardiff, who moved to within three points of the Championship play-off places after a 2-1 victory over 10-man Reading. The hosts landed an early lead, following an own goal from defender Alex Pearce.
Matt Doherty was awarded a yellow card for Wolves in their 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest, which leaves the hosts in 11th place.
Malky Mackay's first game in charge of Wigan ended in a 1-1 draw against Middlesborough. Chris McCann had an opportunity to send the Latics 2-0 up, but his effort cleared the crossbar.
Derby moved three points clear at the top of the table, following a 2-1 victory at Watford. Jeff Hendrick came close to adding a third for the visitors.
Darren Randolph, Callum Reilly and Stephen Gleeson featured for Birmingham in their 1-0 win against Rotherham.
Northern Irishman Kyle Lafferty came on late into the second-half for Norwich, in their 3-3 draw with Brighton.
David Forde was in goal for relegation strugglers Millwall in their goalless draw with Charlton.
Ipswich secured a point after Daryl Murphy's 76th minute header sealed a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth. Teammate David McGoldrick also featured, following his recent international debut for Ireland against the USA.
Defender Brian Lenihan lined out for Blackpool in their 1-1 draw against Bolton, after joining the side on a one-month loan deal from Hull City.
Shane Duffy picked up a yellow card in Blackburn’s 2-1 win over Leeds.
Keiren Westwood featured in goal for Sheffield Wednesday whilst Joe Murphy did the same for hosts Huddersfield. The visitors were denied a late penalty, ending the game in a 0-0 draw.
