There was a welcome return to Premier League action for Northern Ireland defender Jonny Evans at the weekend.
Having been named in Michael O’Neill’s 26-man senior international squad for the upcoming UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers, the centre-back (pictured, above) was back in blue as a late sub for Leicester City in their 3-1 home defeat to Chelsea.
Before Saturday 35-year-old Evans last featured for The Foxes in November. His return to action - he got seven minutes on the grass after he replaced James Maddison with 90 on the clock - will serve as a boost to his international boss.
The former Manchester United and West Brom player will be keen to add to his 100 caps for Northern Ireland when the games against San Marino (away, March 23) and Finland (home, March 26) roll around later this month.
Nottingham Forest striker Dale Taylor (above) - on loan at League One Burton Albion - scored his second goal for the Brewers when he netted in the early stages of their 2-1 victory over Wycombe Wanderers.
Heart of Midlothian and Michael Smith’s run in the Scottish Cup came to an end in the last eight of the competition with a 3-0 loss at home to Celtic.
In the EFL Championship Conor Washington and Shane Ferguson featured in Rotherham’s 2-0 defeat at Birmingham.
Josh Magennis started for Wigan who lost 3-0 away to leaders Burnley who had Bailey Peacock-Farrell on the bench.
Craig Cathcart played the full 90 for Watford who fell to a narrow 1-0 loss at Queens Park Rangers and George Saville was in the heart of the Millwall midfield in a one-goal win on the road against Reading.
Also helping his side claim an away win was Paddy McNair who in defence as Middlesbrough bagged a 3-1 success against Swansea.
Bolton Wanderers trio Dion Charles, Eoin Toal and Conor Bradley were on the wrong end of a 2-0 scoreline as the Trotters lost to fellow League One promotion hopefuls Ipswich Town. Charles had a 51st-minute penalty saved by Christian Waton.
In the same division Ciaron Brown’s Oxford United were edged out by Derby County and Cheltenham stopper Luke Southwood - on loan from Reading - kept a clean sheet in a 3-0 win at Peterborough United.
In the Women’s Super League Lauren Wade and Jackie Burns were unused subs as Reading Women lost 4-0 to Arsenal Women.
Elsewhere both Cormac Austin (Crystal Palace U18s) and Francis Turley (Celtic U18s) were on target for their respective club sides.
