It was a memorable first team debut for West Brom’s new signing Isaac Price as the Baggies eased to a 5-1 win over struggling Portsmouth at the Hawthorns at the weekend.
The 21-year-old, who made the switch from Belgian outfit Standard Liege on a four-and-a-half year deal last week, impressed both manager and fans with his quality despite only playing the final half hour of the contest as a substitute.
“He looks so smooth with the ball. He looks really talented,” Baggies boss Tony Mowbray told the club website.
“And once he grows in confidence and gets to know everybody, I’m sure he’ll be a brilliant addition to the squad – athletic, young, the ball is easy for him.”
Elsewhere in the Championship, Sunderland defender Trai Hume scored his first goal of the season and provided an assist for the Black Cats opener in the 2-2 home draw with bottom-of-the-table Plymouth Argyle.
Returning in goal for Argyle following a spell out injured was Conor Hazard who received a boost after the game when Plymouth boss Miron Muslic reiterated that the Downpatrick man was still first choice keeper at Home Park.
Speaking to the BBC, Muslic said: “I told Conor that when I arrived I saw him as a number one and it's very important to have a clear number one.
“He then got injured, but to give Conor this confidence I gave him my word - 'look, you're going to recover, and as soon as you recover you are going back to the goal' - because I think that's important.”
Midfielder Shea Charles, who has re-signed on loan with Sheffield Wednesday from Southampton until the end of the season, recorded an assist as the Owls continued their push for a play-off place with a 2-0 win at Loftus Road against an in-form QPR.
In League One, Huddersfield Town striker Dion Charles had a disappointing home debut as the Terriers fell to a 1-0 home defeat to his former employers Bolton Wanderers.
Under-21 international JJ McKiernan, who is on loan at Burton Albion until the end of the current campaign, scored his first goal for the club as they made it back-to-back wins with a 4-2 home success over Rotherham United.
Meanwhile in Scotland, Ben Wilson scored his 10th of the season, and former Linfield winger Liam McStravick returned to action after being out injured since March, as Airdrieonians defeated Dunfermline Athletic 3-0 on Saturday.
Airdrieonians boss Rhys McCabe admitted that the return of the talented McStravick was like a new signing for the Championship side.
“Liam McStravick coming back is a real positive,” said McCabe. “Getting minutes into him and more games will be like a new signing.
“Everybody knows what qualities and attributes Liam has,” he added. “And once we get him back to a good level, he is going to be a real asset to this club.”
Striker Ronan Hale also recorded his 10th goal of the season after converting from the penalty spot to earn Ross County a point at home to Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership.
Ellie Mason was on the scoresheet for league leaders Birmingham City Women as they lost out 3-1 at home to second-placed Bristol City Women in the Women's Championship.
Caragh Hamilton made her first start for Nottingham Forest Women since September as they reached the FA Women's National League Cup final thanks to a 1-0 win over Hashtag United. Natalie Johnson was fouled in the box for the penalty which brought the only goal of the game. It was tucked away by Charlie Wellings.
In the National League North Brenna McPartlan was among the scorers as Burnley Women defeated Stourbridge 9-0 and Kerry Beattie found the net for the first time since joining Aberdeen Women on loan as they defeated Queen’s Park 3-0 in the SWPL1.
Finally, Cole Brannigan was on target for Aston Villa’s U18 side in a 4-0 victory at home to Reading and Ceadach O’Neill chalked up his fourth goal of the campaign for Arsenal U18s who beat West Ham United 3-1 in the U18 Premier League.