LAST UPDATE | 2 Sep 2023
JOHN EGAN MAY be a doubt for Ireland’s upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against France and the Netherlands this week.
Egan picked up a knock during Sheffield United’s 2-2 draw against Everton today, a game that saw both sides register their first point of the Premier League season, before being replaced in the 68th minute of the game.
Stephen Kenny’s side will travel to Paris to take on France on Thursday, 7 September, ahead of welcoming the Netherlands to Dublin on Sunday, 10 September.
Cameron Archer’s first strike for the club and a Jordan Pickford own goal saw the Blades’ overturn Abdoulaye Doucoure’s early opener to lead 2-1 at half-time.
But Arnaut Danjuma, a summer signing from Villarreal, levelled after the break and that is how it ended at Bramall Lane, thanks mainly to Pickford’s miraculous double save at the death, twice denying Oli McBurnie.
Elsewhere it was a tough day at the office for the Ireland trio in action for Southampton as their unbeaten start to the Championship season came crashing to an end as Russell Martin’s side were blown away 5-0 by brilliant Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
Gavin Bazunu conceded five goals as he started between the posts, Ryan Manning was left-back and Will Smallbone started at midfield.
Jack Clarke scored the opening goal for Sunderland after just 52 seconds before Pierre Ekwah added a deflected second six minutes later.
The outstanding Ekwah scored his second and Sunderland’s third on the stroke of half-time. Bradley Dack added a fourth early in the second half before 16-year-old substitute Chris Rigg rounded off a perfect afternoon for Sunderland with his first league goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
It was a better afternoon for Ireland striker Will Keane, he scored two second-half goals as Preston won 2-0 away to Stoke and went top of the Championship.
The summer recruit from Wigan netted a quickfire brace early in the second half to secure Preston their fourth successive league win.
Half-time substitute Duane Holmes orchestrated the Preston knockout blow, firstly winning a penalty which Keane converted.
And the United States international was provider again for Keane’s second as he teeed up his strike partner for an easy tap-in.
Mark Sykes scored in Bristol City’s 2-1 win away to Swansea City, while Finn Azaz opened the scoring in Plymouth’s 3-0 victory against Blackburn.
