Irish Eye: Cox steals the show with sublime finish

Here’s your usual Monday round-up of how the Boys in Green got on in England and Scotland (and America and Russia if you insist).

EVERY MONDAY, WE scan the passports, check the family trees and cross-reference with the “granny rule” to keep you informed about the ups and downs of all the Irish (and Irish-eligible) footballers in England, Scotland and further afield.

Think of us as the Tardelli to your Trap, if you will…

Premier League

There were 24 goals across nine games in the Premier League this weekend but they were in short supply for Ireland’s stars.

Here’s a quick run-down of those who got some game time:

Norwich 0-0 West Ham United: Joey O’Brien played the full game in defence for West Ham. Hammers keeper Stephen Henderson was an unused sub as was Norwich playmaker Wes Hoolahan, who has only played 13 minutes in the league so far this season.
Aston Villa 2-0 Swansea City: Ciaran Clark played the full 90 minutes as Villa picked up their first win of the season. Stephen Ireland continues to hold down a starting place in midfield; he made his third league start and lasted 71 minutes before he was subbed for Ashley Westwood. Shay Given was on the bench again with Paul Lambert preferring Brad Guzan in goal.
Fulham 3-0 West Bromwich Albion: Fulham’s Damien Duff played 90-plus minutes before he was replaced in stoppage time by Alex Smith, but Stephen Kelly will again have to wait to make his first league start of the new campaign. For West Brom, Shane Long was substituted after a disappointing first half.
Manchester United 4-0 Wigan Athletic: James McCarthy had an afternoon to forget in the Wigan midfield. The midfielder’s attempt to stop Alexander Buttner’s run and shot was half-hearted at best and McCarthy gave possession away far too cheaply in the build-up to Nick Powell’s fourth for United.
Stoke City 1-1 Manchester City: Marc Wilson, Glenn Whelan and Jon Walters all played the full game as Stoke held City to a 1-1 draw at the Brittania.
Sunderland 1-1 Liverpool: John O’Shea and James McClean both started and finished Sunderland’s 1-1 draw at home to Liverpool while goalkeeper Kieren Westwood and Ireland new boy David Meyler watched from the bench.
Reading 1-3 Tottenham Hotspur: Alex Pearce and Ian Harte lined out in the Reading back four in yesterday’s home defeat to Tottenham while Noel Hunt made his third substitute appearance of the new campaign, coming off the bench for the last seven minutes.

Npower Championship

Simon Cox (Nottingham Forest 2-2 Birmingham City) Cox’s superb finish in the 71st minute sparked a Nottingham Forest comeback and earned him a few favourable comparisons to the legendary Denis Bergkamp. The Ireland striker controlled Lewis McGugan’s lofted pass with a superb first touch and before it dropped to the ground, lifted it over the head of Jack Butland with a precise second. Top, top stuff.

YouTube Credit: TheJiminyBob

League One

Adam Rooney (Carlisle United 2-2 Swindon Town) With a low drive from all of 25 yards, Rooney brought Swindon back into the game at 1-1 in the 29th minute.

Scottish Premier League

Richie Foran (Inverness Caledonian Thistle 1-1 Aberdeen) Richie Foran gave Cally the lead from the penalty spot in 67th minute, converting after Russell Anderson was deemed to have pulled down Shane Sutherland.

Jim Goodwin (St Mirren 2-0 Hearts) Waterford’s Jim Goodwin set St Mirren on the road to victory when he fired this 35-yard effort past Hearts keeper Jamie McDonald.

YouTube Credit: splofficial

Around the world…

Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy 2-0 Colorado Rapids) Ireland captain Robbie Keane scored his 12th goal of the MLS season as the LA Galaxy beat Colorado Rapids 2-0 on Friday evening.

YouTube Credit: TheLAGalaxy

Aiden McGeady (Kuban Krasnodar 2-2 Spartak Moscow) McGeady put Spartak 1-0 up against Kuban when he finished low to the keeper’s right in the 14th minute.