Many of our Men’s, Women’s and Academy players have been sent out on loan this season to gain experience and further action.
Again we begin in the Bundesliga, as Fabio Vieira has been in inspired form of late at the heart of the Hamburg midfield. Having scored against Bayern Munich in last week’s draw, Saturday saw Vieira assist for Rayan Philippe and play 80 minutes in a 2-0 away win at Heidenheim, which takes Merlin Polzin’s team up to 11th in the table.
Ethan Nwaneri and Marseille endured a mixed week, having overcome Rennes with a dominant 3-0 win on Tuesday night to advance to the Coupe de France quarter-finals. Ethan played the first half of the tie, and played another 45 minutes in Ligue 1 on Sunday as Roberto de Zerbi’s side were beaten 5-0 by leaders PSG. Ethan was withdrawn at the break with the scoreline at 2-0 in the Parc des Princes.
Jakub Kiwior was rested for Porto as they faced Casa Pia in Liga Portugal last Monday, an absence from the starting XI which coincided with their first defeat of the campaign by a 2-1 margin. Porto still lead the table and have conceded just six in the league all season, but now prepare for a titanic showdown at the Estadio do Dragao this Monday night with second-placed Sporting – a win will take the Dragaos seven points clear; defeat would close the gap to just one.
Brentford continued their run as a real surprise package in the Premier League this term, rising to seventh with a 3-2 away win at Newcastle United on Saturday, a game during which Reiss Nelson was on the bench. Reiss will be ineligible for Thursday’s encounter at the Gtech Stadium between the Bees and the Gunners. Karl Hein was also an unused substitute for Werder Bremen, as they were beaten 1-0 by Freiburg in the Bundesliga on Saturday – a result which sinks Bremen to 16th position.
Shrewsbury Town still look to establish their EFL place beyond this season but went down 2-0 to Colchester United on Saturday afternoon. Ismeal Cabia was restored to the starting line-up for the contest in Essex, playing the full match. Louie Copley was not involved for Crawley Town – also fighting to remain afloat in League Two – as they lost by a solitary goal to Crewe Alexandra.
Moving into the National League South, it was a successful day for Will Sweetwho made his debut for Dagenham & Redbridge in their 4-2 win over Chippenham Town. Will was introduced to help see out the game for the final 14 minutes.
In the WSL, Rosa Kafaji started again for Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday, but the Seagulls suffered a 3-2 defeat at the hands of West Ham United. Brighton led 1-0 when Rosa left the field and later took a two-goal lead, but West Ham managed to turn it around in the final eight minutes to snatch the points – leaving Brighton seventh.
A place below Brighton in the top Women’s division are Aston Villa, for whom Jenna Nighswonger played 25 minutes of a 4-1 defeat by Liverpool on Sunday. The American was brought on in the second half in St Helens.
It was a crucial fixture for Jessie Gale and Bristol City towards the top of the WSL 2 on Sunday, and the Robins took a first-half lead away at Crystal Palace as part of their promotion push. However, Palace recovered for a 2-1 win, as Jessie played the whole match. It remains all to play for, as Bristol City remain third, a point above their opponents.
Elsewhere in the WSL 2, Madison Earl did not feature for Ipswich Town in their vital win in the survival picture, a 2-1 success away at Portsmouth to draw level on points with the Blues, and Vivienne Lia was also not involved for Nottingham Forest as they fell short via a 2-0 loss to league leaders Charlton Athletic.
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Highlights: Arsenal 3-0 Sunderland
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