Premier League
Another quiet weekend for the Irish lads in the Premier League. Enda Stevens, John Egan, Kevin Long, Jeff Hendrick and Matt Doherty all started for their respective clubs. Ciaran Clark returned from injury to take a seat on Newcastle’s bench whilst Aaron Connolly didn’t make the cut for Brighton as Graham Potter left him out of the match day squad.
Championship
James McClean bagged his second goal in three games as Stoke City beat Rotherham United by one goal to nil. McClean raced through on goal and cleverly dinked the ball over the keeper to give his team the lead. The Derryman is doing no harm to his chances of occupying the left wing spot in Stephen Kenny’s 4-3-3 formation. Especially with Aaron Connolly struggling for game time at Brighton in recent weeks.
Daryl Horgan started on the right wing as Wycombe Wanderers got their first win of the season, overcoming bottom of the table Sheffield Wednesday.
Millwall continue without Troy Parrott, and struggled for goals as they lost 3-0 to Huddersfield Town. After the defeat Millwall boss Gary Rowett provided an update on Parrott’s injury, stating “he’s not far off being back” whilst also expressing his reluctance with the idea of the young Irish striker heading away with the national team for November’s fixtures. Stephen Kenny is set to announce his squad this Thursday, November 5th.
League 1
Here's your EFL TOTW!
Powered by @WhoScored ratings.#EFL pic.twitter.com/Xi8Bp9NGJZ
— EFL (@EFL) November 1, 2020
Down in League 1, Ireland’s representatives are setting the division alight. Midfielder Jack Taylor made the EFL team of the week after he scored in Peterborough’s 5-1 hammering of Shrewsbury Town. Taylor won’t be a new name on Stephen Kenny’s radar. The former Chelsea academy player made his debut for Ireland U-21’s under Kenny in 2019 at the Toulon Tournament. Peterborough are joint top of the league with Ipswich Town and Lincoln City. Alan Judge set up the winning goal as Ipswich beat Crewe Alexandra.
Meanwhile, former Bohemians defender Warren O’Hora has impressed at MK Dons having made a loan move to the League 1 side from his parent club Brighton.
🎯
Defender @HoraWarren completed every one of his 72 passes in Saturday’s draw with AFC Wimbledon.
He leads League One players with a 95.13% pass accuracy, among those who have attempted more than 200 passes. pic.twitter.com/VaBcPBNkpx
— MK Dons (@MKDonsFC) November 2, 2020
In Scotland, Shane Duffy started and played his part in keeping a clean sheet as Celtic progressed to the Scottish Cup final, defeating Aberdeen 2-0 in the semi-final.
