BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION sit at the summit of the Sky Bet Championship thanks to six points from their opening two matches.
Managed by ex-Ireland defender and assistant boss Chris Hughton, the Seagulls sealed a 2-1 win away to Fulham thanks to a stoppage time penalty from Tomer Hemed.
Closely behind them in third-place are Brentford, who opened the scoring in their 4-2 victory over Bristol City through recent Ireland call-up Alan Judge, while Alan McCormack played the 90 minutes for the Bees at right-back. Derrick Williams was on the losing side.
Mick McCarthy‘s Ipswich Town are also on four points after defeating Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 at Portman Road and Irish trio Jonathan Douglas, David McGoldrick and Daryl Murphy were all starters for the Tractor Boys.
Their international team-mate Keiren Westwood didn’t have the best of days, however. Having been injured in the first half, the Owls goalkeeper stayed on the field but failed to deal with a cross for Ipswich’s winning goal.
He eventually came off in the 59th minute and was taken to hospital, where a scan revealed he suffered a bruised kidney. The 30-year-old is a doubt for their game against Reading in midweek, while it is worrying news for Ireland manager Martin O’Neill as he names his squad for upcoming Euro 2016 qualifiers with Gibraltar and Georgia tomorrow.
Just ahead of Ipswich in the play-off places are Birmingham City, who had Dubliner Stephen Gleeson in their starting line-up for the 2-2 draw away to Burnley.
A Preston North End side which featured Greg Cunningham claimed a narrow 1-0 win over MK Dons, who named Samir Carruthers and Darren Potter in their staring XI. Ireland U19 midfielder Alan Browne was also introduced off the bench for the Lilywhites.
Joe Murphy and Sean Scannell were part of the Huddersfield team which drew 1-1 with Blackburn Rovers. Shane Duffy started at the back for Rovers. Meanwhile, David Meyler came on for Hull City as they played out a 1-1 draw with Wolves.
Reading trio Paul McShane, Stephen Quinn and Simon Cox (sub) lined out in the 0-0 draw with Leeds. Elsewhere, Jeff Hendrick, Richard Keogh and Cyrus Christie (sub) featured in Derby County’s 1-1 draw with Chartlon Athletic, and Anthony Pilkington and Joe Mason were involved in Cardiff City’s 2-2 draw against QPR.
Bottom-placed club Rotherham lost out to Nottingham Forest 2-1. Lee Frecklington started in that one while Aidan White was a second half substitute.
And a quick mention for Paddy Madden. The Ireland international scored twice in Scunthorpe’s win over Crewe in League One. Here are the goals:
