Top Performer
Anthony Pilkington (Cardiff City)
Just outside the Play-Off places, Cardiff are flying high thanks to Pilkington who netted twice in the win over Preston North End. Those two converted penalties bring his tally to three goals in his last three games.
Watch Out For
Kevin Toner (Aston Villa)
A tall centre-back who holds his position well and makes vital interceptions at key times, Toner is someone who stands out in games. He is a regular for Villa’s Under 21 team but is destined to play at a higher level.
Irish Manager Monitor
In the Championship, Mick McCarthy’s Ipswich Town won 1-0 away to Huddersfield Town, Brian McDermott’s Reading recorded a 4-3 triumph over Charlton Athletic, while Chris Hughton’s Brighton & Hove Albion take on Leeds United on Monday night.
In League One, Sean O’Driscoll’s Walsall drew 0-0 with Burton Albion. And in League Two, John Sheridan’s Newport County overcame Mansfield Town 1-0.
Further Afield
In the A-League, Andy Keogh was on target for Perth Glory as they lost 2-1 to Western Sydney Wanderers, while in the Eredivisie, Jack Byrne fired in the winner for Cambuur Leeuwarden as they beat PEC Zwolle 1-0, and in Cyprus, Cillian Sheridan scored for Omonia Nicosia in their 4-1 victory over Enosis.
Women’s Focus
In England’s SSE Women’s FA Cup, Sophie Perry helped Brighton & Hove Albion record a 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers. In Scotland’s Women's Premier League Cup, Clare Shine (3) and Ruseha Littlejohn (2) were on the scoresheet for Glasgow City in their 14-0 victory against Inverness City, while Savannah McCarthy also featured.
Weekend Stats
Premier League
8 appearances– Harry Arter (Bournemouth), Damien Delaney (Crystal Palace), Robbie Brady (Norwich City), Shane Long (Southampton), Jonathan Walters, Glenn Whelan (Stoke City), John O’Shea (Sunderland), James McClean (West Bromwich Albion)
1 goalscorer– Shane Long (Southampton)
3 un-used substitutes– Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa), Stephen Ireland (Stoke City), Darren Randolph (West Ham United)
Championship
27 appearances– Stephen Gleeson (Birmingham City), Shane Duffy, Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers), Alan Judge (Brentford), Stephen Ward (Burnley), Anthony Pilkington (Cardiff City), Stephen Henderson (Charlton Athletic), Cyrus Christie, Jeff Hendrick, Richard Keogh (Derby County), David Meyler (Hull City), Jonathan Douglas, Kevin Foley, Daryl Murphy (Ipswich Town), Samir Carruthers, Darren Potter (MK Dons), Alan Browne, Greg Cunningham (Preston North End), Paul McShane, Stephen Quinn (Reading), Leon Best, Lee Frecklington, Paul Green (Rotherham United), Aiden McGeady, Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday), Matt Doherty, Joe Mason (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
3 goalscorers– Alan Judge (Brentford), Anthony Pilkington [2] (Cardiff City), Samir Carruthers (MK Dons)
1 clean sheet– Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday)
9 un-used substitutes– Jack Bonham (Brentford), Alex Pearce, Derrick Williams (Bristol City), Kevin Long (Burnley), Joe Murphy (Huddersfield Town), Jay Tabb (Ipswich Town), Simon Cox (Reading), Stephen Kelly, Paddy Kenny (Rotherham United)
4 yellow cards– Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers), Cyrus Christie (Derby County), Alan Browne, Greg Cunningham (Preston North End)
League One
31 appearances– Conor Hourihane (Barnsley), Colin Doyle, Mark Yeates (Blackpool), Billy Clarke, Josh Cullen (Bradford City), Damien McCrory, Callum Reilly (Burton Albion), Ian Lawlor, John O’Sullivan (Bury), Connor Dimaio, Jay O’Shea (Chesterfield), Owen Garvan (Colchester United), Paul Keegan (Doncaster Rovers), Jimmy Ryan (Fleetwood Town), Bradley Garmston, Emmanuel Osadebe (Gillingham), Aiden O’Brien (Millwall), Rhys Murphy (Oldham Athletic), Sam Foley, Sam Kelly (Port Vale), Niall Canavan, Joe Rafferty (Rochdale), Stephen Dawson, Paddy Madden (Scunthorpe United), Cian Bolger, Noel Hunt, Dave Mooney, Michael Timlin (Southend United), Anton Rodgers (Swindon Town), Anthony Forde (Walsall), Chris McCann (Wigan Athletic)
1 goalscorer– Emmanuel Osadebe (Gillingham)
5 un-used substitutes– Anthony O’Connor (Burton Albion), David Forde, Shaun Williams (Millwall), Gary Deegan, Stephen McLaughlin (Southend United)
4 yellow cards– Connor Dimaio, Jay O’Shea (Chesterfield), Niall Canavan (Rochdale), Michael Timlin (Southend United)
League Two
22 appearances– Seamus Conneely (Accrington Stanley), Rory Gaffney, Liam Lawrence (Bristol Rovers), Shamir Fenelon (Crawley Town), Jake Carroll (Hartlepool United), Alan Sheehan (Luton Town), Sean Kavanagh (Mansfield Town), Jamie Devitt, Barry Roche (Morecambe), Mark Byrne, Conor Wilkinson (Newport County), James Collins, Brendan Moloney (Northampton Town), Ronan Murray (Notts County), Callum O’Dowda (Oxford United), Graham Carey (Plymouth Argyle), Michael Doyle, Enda Stevens (Portsmouth), Connor Smith, Ryan Sweeney (AFC Wimbledon), Michael Harriman (Wycombe Wanderers), Kenny McEvoy (York City)
1 goalscorer– Graham Carey (Plymouth Argyle)
6 un-used substitutes– Keith Keane (Cambridge United), Lanre Oyebanjo, Frankie Sutherland (Crawley Town), Graham Burke (Notts County), Adam Barton (Portsmouth), James Berrett (York City)
5 yellow cards– Rory Gaffney, Liam Lawrence (Bristol Rovers), Mark Byrne (Newport County), Brendan Moloney (Northampton Town), Ryan Sweeney (AFC Wimbledon)
National League
3 appearances– Sean McGinty (Aldershot), Conor Clifford (Boreham Wood), Neill Byrne (Macclesfield Town)
1 un-used substitute– Ryan O’Reilly (Wrexham)
1 yellow card– Sean McGinty (Aldershot)
Scottish Premiership
6 appearances– Willo Flood (Aberdeen), Darren O’Dea (Dundee), Gavin Gunning (Dundee United), Gary Dicker (Kilmarnock), Graham Cummins, Joe Shaughnessy (St Johnstone)
1 un-used substitute– Sean Dillon (Dundee United)
1 yellow card– Gavin Gunning (Dundee United)
*Only players still eligible to represent Republic of Ireland teams appear on this list