Updated: Tuesday, 03 Mar 2015 15:42 | Comments
By Rob Wright
Stephen Ireland's recent Stoke City renaissance looks likely to be put on hold for some time as the midfielder suffered a gruesome injury in his side's 1-0 victory at home to Hull City.
Ireland's form of the last few weeks has been markedly improved but a horrible challenge on the midfielder by Hull's Maynor Figueroa left the Corkman needing 10 stitches in his calf and is expected to rule him out of action for at least three weeks.
Stoke manager Mark Hughes was left furious that Figueroa challenge went unpunished and he said: "I don't know what intention the lad had. It might be mistimed, but when you are a player you still have to protect your fellow professional.
"But I don't think he did at any point. It was a shocking challenge. It could have finished Ireland's career. Why it was not a straight red, I have no idea."
There were a host of Irish players on display in the match as Glenn Whelan, Marc Wilson and Jonathan Walters joined Ireland in the Stoke line-up while David Meyler, Paul McShane and Stephen Quinn all featured for Hull.
Wilson impressed in the Stoke backline, helping them to a rare clean sheet with some fine positional play and organisation and he was on hand to deny international team-mate McShane at the death with a fine block from close range to prevent an equaliser.
Whelan and Walters were typically industrious throughout both full of running and desire to chase down lost causes although Walters chances up front were limited.
For Hull, McShane had a day to forget and unsurprisingly struggled to cope with the aerial threat of Peter Crouch. He was bullied out of the way by the England striker for the game's only goal and when he had the chance to equalise at the other end, he delayed just a fraction too long, allowing Wilson to deny him.
Meyler was rattled early on by a hefty tackle by Ireland, with some commentators afterwards suggesting that Figueroa's challenge on Ireland was a reaction to that foul. Meyler was then booked for a foul of Phil Bardsley and was replaced soon after.
Stephen Quinn was introduced as a late substitute but didn't really see enough of the ball to make a major impact.
Meanwhile Robbie Brady's season could well be over after manager Steve Bruce confirmed that the midfielder suffered a serious injury after bizarrely falling down a hole at Hull's training ground.
If Ireland was the victim of a poor refereeing decision, Sunderland's John O'Shea was certainly a beneficiary as he somehow avoided a red card in his side's 2-0 defeat for former club Manchester United.
O'Shea should have been shown a red card for his foul on Radamel Falcao in the penalty area but despite spotting the infringement, referee Roger East somehow sent off Wes Brown instead.
The Irish defender had a disappointing return against his old side and the penalty aside, was fortunate not to score an own goal as he diverted an effort from Ashley Young onto the crossbar in the first half.
Aston Villa's Ciaran Clark was another defender on the wrong end of a result as his team were plunged further into relegation danger as they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Newcastle.
On a day when few Villa players shone, Clark was probably his side's most impressive player. There was little he could do about Newcastle's goal as a defensive error from Jores Okore gifted an opportunity to Papiss Cisse which he gladly took.
The Villa centre-back was solid throughout and made some crunching tackles which helped to endear him to the travelling Villa fans.
Crystal Palace's Damien Delaney turned in another fine performance in the heart of his side's defence as they claimed a convincing 3-1 victory away to West Ham.
Delaney has thrived in the Eagles defence since the arrival of Alan Pardew and he looked assured throughout against the Hammers. He came out on top in his personal battle with Diafra Sakho and when Palace were reduced to 10-men in the second half, Delaney ably marshalled his defence against the Irons, limiting their chances.
Everton suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Arsenal on Sunday but Seamus Coleman and James McCarthy could both be absolved of much of the blame for that defeat as they both put in solid shifts for the Toffees.
Away to Arsenal, Coleman's attacking instincts had to be curbed and he was often forced to play a more traditional fullback role than the rampaging wing-back we're used to seeing. He coped admirably against former Real Madrid man Mesut Ozil and kept the £42.5million man quiet all afternoon.
It was a similar story for McCarthy who spent so much time doing damage control defensive work that he was unable to break forward and attack. Always willing and showing for the ball regardless, his efforts to pick out Lukaku or Mirallas with a killer ball were thwarted by a packed Arsenal midfield.
Shane Long was a second-half substitute in Southampton's 1-0 defeat away to former club West Brom but despite an 74th minute introduction, he struggled to make any impact and had no real chances of note.
In the Championship, Mick McCarthy's Ipswich saw their promotion hopes suffer a big blow as they lost 2-0 away to fellow hopefuls Norwich.
Luke Chambers, Jay Tabb and Daryl Murphy all started for Ipswich is what was a tight game. Chambers was shifted out from his more natural centre-back role to play as a right back and he struggled there, often getting caught out of position and drifting slightly central.
Tabb and Murphy fared better with Tabb's non-stop energy causing Norwich problems down the left, although his final ball was lacking, while Murphy was often starved of possession up front and reduced to half-chances and optimistic long range efforts.
For Norwich, Wes Hoolahan was again in fine form and helped to set up his side's crucial opening goal with a well-timed pass that allowed Lewis Grabban to cross for Bradley Johnson who obliged by sliding the ball home.
Hoolahan came in for special praise from his manager Alex Neil who afterwards said: "If a player's form is exceptional, sometimes you just can't leave them out. I think Wes has fallen into that category in the last three games."
"If I think back to Charlton he came on and made the goal; at Watford he was involved in the penalty and made the second; at Blackburn he made the first goal and I thought here again he was excellent."
On Saturday, Birmingham took a big step towards safety as they claimed an important 1-0 win over promotion hopefuls Brentford to put 11 points between them and the relegation zone.
Despite seeing Stephen Gleeson sent-off for a late stamp on Alex Pritchard, Birmingham were relatively untroubled and Darron Randolph had little work to do in claiming a clean sheet.
Monaghan's Jonathan Douglas had Brentford's best chance of the match and really should have bagged an equaliser before half-time but he contrived to head the ball over when it looked easier to score.
At the bottom of the table, Darren O'Dea's Blackpool look more and more like relegation certainties as second from bottom Wigan beat them 3-0 to open up a six point gap.
O'Dea started at left-back but had little joy throughout against a Wigan side who unlike Blackpool, looked as if they were playing for their place in the Championship. The Irishman at least put in a decent effort throughout, even if his most telling contribution was to help Harry Maguire's header into his own net for Wigan's second goal.
For the Latics, James McClean was instrumental to their success. His scuffed shot found its way to the back post before it was cut back to Kim Bo-kyung who tapped home. McClean then got himself on the scoresheet slotting the ball home with 11 minutes to go to confirm the result.
Bournemouth were held to their fifth Championship game without a win as they played out a scoreless draw with Blackburn Rovers but it wasn't for want of trying from Harry Arter who returned to the first team from suspension.
Arter stood out in a game low on quality and offered a significant threat going forward for the Cherries. A low drive towards the end of the first half forced a decent save from Jason Steele while the Blackburn goalkeeper had to be alert to deny Arter again late on.
Former Sligo Rovers frontman Eoin Doyle started in Cardiff City 1-0 defeat at home to Wolves but was starved of service and opportunities and was replaced just after the hour mark. Ireland Under-21 fullback Matt Doherty was introduced as a second-half substitute for Wovles and was on hand to clear an effort from Kenwyne Jones off the line when called upon to do so.
At the top of the table league leaders Derby County suffered a surprise 2-0 defeat to struggling Fulham. Cyrus Christie, Richard Keogh and Jeff Hendrick all started for Derby but none really played to their potential with Christie being substituted at half-time after a particularly poor display.
Sean Kavanagh came on as a first-half substitute for Fulham after the injury of Lasse Vigen Christensen and made a big claim for a regular starting place as he helped to boss the game from midfield with his incisive and forward-looking passing causing no end of problems for Derby.
All four of Millwall's Irish players were involved in their 2-1 defeat to Rotherham but it was off-pitch matters which grabbed the headlines as there was crowd trouble involving Millwall supporters at the New York Stadium.
Goalkeeper David Forde emerged with the most credit, helping to keep his side in the game with some fine saves. He first palmed away a sweetly struck free-kick from Ben Pringle before a harsh deflection allowed Danny Ward to level for Rotherham.
Forde made another fine save on 63 minutes, but he could do nothing about the winner with five minutes to go as Kari Arnason was left with a free header.
Alan Dunne was part of that Millwall defence that left Arnason unmarked and he will be disappointed with his performance throughout while midfielder Shaun Williams was probably the Lions' most creative player and his clever through ball to Gary Taylor-Fletcher helped to create the opening goal. Aiden O'Brien was a second-half substitute but had limited impact.
Former Nottingham Forest striker Sim Cox had a disappointing day against his old side as Reading suffered a 3-0 reversal at home. With the game still scoreless Cox missed two very good opportunities before he was replaced with just over 20 minutes left on the clock.
Meanwhile Charlton goalkeeper Stephen Henderson and Sheffield Wednesday shot-stopper Kieren Westwood both claimed clean sheets as their side's won 3-0 and 2-0 respectively.
In League One former Shamrock Rovers man Enda Stevens claimed his first goal for Doncaster Rovers in their 2-0 victory over Colchester.
The left-back, on loan from Aston Villla, drilled a powerful low shot from the edge of the penalty area for the game's opening goal and impressed throughout as an attacking force.
Paul Keegan also featured for Doncaster but turned in a more subdued performance, helping to keep things ticking over in midfield.
That win moved Colchester into the play-off places and Stevens believes his side have every chance of winning promotion to the Championship.
"I think, looking at us, we're as good as anyone on our day. Looking at ourselves, I think we have a tough round of fixtures this month but hope that something will look clearer by the end of it. It was good to get a goal; the manager's told me to start shooting more and thankfully that one went in," he said.
League leaders Bristol City extended their advantage at the top to eight points courtesy of a 1-0 win over Rochdale. Derrick Williams and Greg Cunningham both got the nod to start for Bristol but while Williams impressed as part of a three-man defence, Cunningham struggled to stamp his mark on the game and we taken off with half an hour to go.
MK Dons lost ground on Bristol with a surprise 2-1 defeat to Coventry that saw the Sky Blues move out of the relegation zone.
Darren Potter and Samir Caruthers both featured for the Dons and while they both had chances, neither could convert. Carruthers' best effort of the game came with his side trailing 2-0 just before the break when his cross-cum-shot evaded everyone in the Coventry penalty area before it was cleared to safety.
Potter meanwhile will be disappointed not to have reduced the arrears some after the restart as his effort was blocked just when it appeared as if he would score.
For Coventry Adam Barton has a quietly efficient game in midfield, helping to maintain possession and keep things ticking over without ever looking like an attacking threat.
Scunthorpe's Paddy Madden left Glanford Park a disappointed figure as his penalty miss allowed bottom side Yeovil Town to claim an unlikely point.
Scunthorpe bossed the possession throughout but a breakaway goal from Joel Grant in the 28th minute, which Niall Canavan in the Scunthorpe defence could do little about, gave Yeovil a lead which they desperately tried to hold on to.
Madden had the chance to equalise from the spot when he was hauled down in the penalty area deep in to first half injury time. Madden stepped up to take the spot-kick himself but goalkeeper Gareth Steward dived the right way and made an excellent save. Scunthorphe's equaliser eventually did come but they were made to rue that Madden miss.
Bradford's play-off hopes suffered a blow as they were on the wrong end of a 2-0 scoreline to fellow promotion hopefuls Peterborough. Alan Sheehan and Billy Clarke both featured for Bradford and it was Sheehan who had their best chance with his volley forcing a fine save from Ben Alnwick.
In League Two, Southend's promotion charge is very much on as they moved into the play-off places courtesy of goals from Irish duo Barry Corr and Michael Timlin.
A rocket of a 20-yard shot from Timlin opened the scoring in the Shrimpers' home encounter with Carlisle while Corr's late volley secured the points that moved Southend to fifth and to within five points of the automatic promotion places.
Brendan Moloney impressed in the Northampton Town defence as they claimed a 2-1 win away to Shrewsbury which keeps their hopes of a play-off place alive. Moloney impressed again at right-back, picking up a late booking but was again solid throughout and is fast becoming a fan favourite, inspiring this rather colourful song, which - be warned - includes some rather harsh language.
Oxford United inched closer to safety with a scoreless draw against Portsmouth, moving them five points above the drop zone. Michael Collins and Pat Hoban both featured for Oxford in a game which was low on chances and excitement.
At the other end of the table league leaders Burton Albion suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat at home to Newport. Damien McCrory and Darragh Lenihan started again for Burton with McCrory offering a real attacking threat down the left. However despite some decent deliveries from the Limerick man, Burton couldn't find an answer to Miles Storey's second half goal.
In Scotland, Adam Rooney had a day to forget for Aberdeen as they went down 4-0 to league leaders Celtic, a result which leaves the Dons six points behind the Champions who have a game in hand.
Rooney struggled up front, starved of the ball in a game that the Bhoys dominated. His best chance came in the 19th minute when he should have done better with a header on goal, but could only direct it at goalkeeper Craig Gordan. The Irish striker was replaced with five minutes to go, having picked up a booking.
Willo Flood and John Hayes were both involved for the Dons, with neither sparkling while Ireland international Anthony Stokes was a second-half substitute for Celtic.
Ireland Under-21 Kieran Sadlier made a winning debut for St Mirren, coming on as a second-half substitute in their 1-0 victory at home to Hamilton Academical.
The former West Ham winger played a part in the game's only goal as a surging cross pitch run saw him feed the ball to James Dayton who then cut the ball back from the byline to Steven Thompson who fired home.
Sadlier showed plenty during his second-half spell and at just 20-years-old he's one for Martin O'Neill to watch for the future.
Further abroad and Andy Keogh is still searching to end his four game streak without a goal although he did play a starring role in Perth Glory's 2-2 draw with 10-man Brisbane in the A League.
Keogh's tenacity up front saw him win the ball from James Donachie before he set up the move that led to Glory's opening goal, however the Irishman needs to rediscover his scoring touch soon if Perth are to remain at the top of the table.
Now six games without a win, Keogh's side take on Melbourne Victory on Saturday in a game that would see the leaders leapfrogged if they were to suffer defeat.
In Malaysia, former League of Ireland star Eamon Zayed continues to search for his first goal with Sabah FA as his side suffered another defeat, exiting the country's FA Cup at the first hurdle as they lost 3-0 to PDRM.
Billy Mehmet's Sarawak also suffered a cup exit as they went down 2-1 Kelantan FA. It was the third consecutive year that Sarawak were dumped out of the Cup by Kelantan and despite Mehmet's efforts up front, they were unable to fashion an equaliser after going behind.
It was a similar story in Myanmar for Caleb Folan whose Kanbawza side were beaten 3-1 by league leaders Yangon.
In the USA, the MLS returns this week and Robbie Keane was on the mark in LA Galaxy's final preseason game although he was unable to prevent his side going down 3-2 to San Jose Earthquakes. With his side trailing 3-1 in the closing stages, Keane finished neatly from a Stefan Ishizaki cross to ensure a frantic finish but Galaxy were unable to fashion a leveller.
Keane's side get the new season underway on Friday when they host Chicago Fire.
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