Top Performer
Shane Long (Southampton)
Tasked with leading the line against Arsenal, Long stretched the opposition’s defence with clever runs off the ball, linked play superbly with deft touches, and applied two neat finishes to kill off the title contenders in a 4-0 victory; he was simply outstanding.
Watch Out For
Ryan Sweeney (AFC Wimbledon)
This giant defender may be a little frustrated at constantly being an un-used substitute for the League Two outfit, but it is a sign of his standing at the club that he is even in that position. Still only 18 years old, Sweeney is bound to get the opportunities to prove his worth over the coming months and years.
Irish Manager Monitor
In the Championship, Chris Hughton’s Brighton & Hove Albion drew 0-0 away to Brentford, Mick McCarthy’s Ipswich Town secured a 2-1 victory over QPR, and Brian McDermott’s Reading narrowly lost 1-0 to Wolves.
In League One, Sean O’Driscoll enjoyed a second straight win with Walsall as they overcame Millwall 1-0. While in League Two, John Sheridan’s Newport County lost 2-0 away to Barnet.
Further Afield
In Cyprus, Cillian Sheridan helped Omonia Nicosia beat Doxa 1-0. In Australia, Roy O’Donovan started for Central Coast Mariners in their 4-1 loss away to Sydney FC.
Weekend Stats
Premier League
9 appearances– Harry Arter, Eunan O’Kane (Bournemouth), Damien Delaney (Crystal Palace), Seamus Coleman (Everton), Rob Elliot (Newcastle United), Robbie Brady (Norwich City), Shane Long (Southampton), Glenn Whelan (Stoke City), John O’Shea (Sunderland)
1 goalscorer– Shane Long [2] (Southampton)
7 un-used substitutes– Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa), Darron Gibson (Everton), Wes Hoolahan (Norwich City), Jonathan Walters, Marc Wilson (Stoke City), Josh Cullen, Darren Randolph (West Ham United)
2 yellow cards– Harry Arter (Bournemouth), Shane Long (Southampton)
Championship
20 appearances– Alan Judge, Alan McCormack (Brentford), Anthony Pilkington (Cardiff City), Stephen Henderson (Charlton Athletic), Cyrus Christie, Jeff Hendrick, Richard Keogh (Derby County), Sean Scannell (Huddersfield Town), David Meyler (Hull City), Jonathan Douglas, Daryl Murphy (Ipswich Town), Samir Carruthers, Darren Potter (MK Dons), Greg Cunningham, Eoin Doyle (Preston North End), Paul McShane, Stephen Quinn (Reading), Lee Frecklington, Paul Green (Rotherham United), Matt Doherty (Wolves)
1 goalscorer– Jonathan Douglas (Ipswich Town)
8 un-used substitutes– Jack Bonham (Brentford), Simon Cox, Derrick Williams (Bristol City), Stephen Ward (Burnley), Joe Mason (Cardiff City), Alex Pearce (Derby County), Joe Murphy (Huddersfield Town), Aaron McCarey (Wolves)
1 yellow card– Richard Keogh (Derby County)
League One
23 appearances– Jay O’Shea (Chesterfield), Paul Keegan (Doncaster Rovers), Jimmy Ryan (Fleetwood Town), John Egan, Bradley Garmston (Gillingham), David Forde, Aiden O’Brien, Shaun Williams (Millwall), Chris Forrester (Peterborough United), Sam Foley (Port Vale), Niall Canavan, Stephen Dawson, Paddy Madden (Scunthorpe United), James Collins, Liam Lawrence, Liam McAlinden (Shrewsbury Town), Noel Hunt, Stephen McLaughlin, Dave Mooney, Glen Rea (Southend United), Anton Rodgers (Swindon Town), Anthony Forde, Liam Kinsella (Walsall)
2 goalscorers– Paddy Madden (Scunthorpe United), Dave Mooney (Southend United)
3 un-used substitutes– Emmanuel Osaoabe (Gillingham), Sam Kelly (Port Vale), Gary Deegan (Southend United)
4 yellow cards– Jimmy Ryan (Fleetwood Town), Aiden O’Brien (Millwall), Stephen Dawson (Scunthorpe United), James Collins (Shrewsbury Town)
League Two
15 appearances– Ian Lawlor (Barnet), Rory Gaffney (Bristol Rovers), Barry Corr (Cambridge United), Shamir Fenelon (Crawley Town), Clinton Morrison (Exeter City), Sean Long (Luton Town), Mark Byrne (Newport County), Pat Hoban, Callum O’Dowda (Oxford United), Carl McHugh (Plymouth Argyle), Adam Barton, Michael Doyle, Brian Murphy, Enda Stevens (Portsmouth), Michael Harriman (Wycombe Wanderers)
1 goalscorer– Barry Corr (Cambridge United)
2 un-used substitutes– Alan Dunne (Leyton Orient), Ryan Sweeney (AFC Wimbledon)
1 clean sheet – Ian Lawlor (Barnet)
Scottish Premiership
2 appearances– Jonny Hayes, Adam Rooney (Aberdeen)
1 goalscorer– Adam Rooney (Aberdeen)
Compiled by GARETH MAHER