Old Boys Weekend Round-Up
North End saw off their bitter rivals Burnley on Saturday with a 2-1 win but how did some of the former Lilywhites fair this weekend?
We start with Stoke City in the Premier League who looked like they were on their way to one of the biggest upsets so far this season. Rory Delap had put the Potters ahead in the 60th minute sparking a period of resolute defending at Stamford Bridge. Richard Cresswell was in from the start for Stoke but was helpless to prevent Juliano Belletti equalise with just two minutes remaining before Frank Lampard and Michael Ballack squabbled over who netted the winner two minutes later. Danny Pugh came on to replace Amdy Faye after 28 minutes whilst Ricardo Fuller was still suspended.
Striker Craig Beattie was a second half substitute for West Brom's impressive win over Middlesbrough on Saturday. With the score already 3-0, Beattie came on to replace new signing Fortune in the 69th minute.
Kevin Kilbane made his debut for Hull City at home to Arsenal on Saturday. The Gunners, who were hell bent on revenge following the defeat to Phil Brown's side earlier in the season, emerged as 3-1 winners thanks to goals from Adebayor, Nasri and Bendtner.
Andy Carroll was unable to add to his first Premier League goal as he and his Newcastle teammates suffered a 3-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.
Former Norwich and Sunderland midfielder Dickson Etuhu started in the centre of midfield for Fulham on Sunday. Etuhu was instrumental in the downfall of Fulham as the Nigerian gave the ball away which lead to West Ham's Carlton Cole slotting in the third to secure the points in a 3-1 win for the Hammers.
Elsewhere on Sunday, David Nugent got his long awaiting first goal in the Premier League for Portsmouth. The former Bury striker put Pompey ahead only to see his former Portsmouth teammate Jermain Defoe equalise to see the points shared at White Hart Lane. Nugent's all round performance was well received from the Portsmouth fans who will be hoping he has turned a corner and can fill the void left by the aforementioned Defoe.
On Monday night, Tim Cahill rescued a point for David Moyes' Everton in the 86th minute at Anfield during the Merseyside derby. After Steven Gerrard had put the home side ahead in the second half, it looked like the points would stay with the red half of Liverpool. However, Yossi Benayoun gave away a petulant free-kick near the corner flag which saw the Australian international Tim Cahill sneak in to nod home to salvage a point in typical Cahill fashion. Carlo Nash was in reserve for the Toffees.
To conclude our round-up of the Premier League, David Healy, despite setting up the equaliser at the Riverside Stadium last week, was an unused substitute for Sunderland's 2-1 defeat at home to Aston Villa.
In the Championship, Matt Hill was back in the starting eleven for Wolves on Saturday. North End's player of the year for 2006/2007 was replaced after 90 minutes by Shackell but neither were able to prevent Wolves from only managing a point against Bristol City who had Nicky Maynard to thank after netting an 87th minute equaliser. David Jones was also back in the starting eleven for Wolves.
Tommy Miller played the full ninety minutes for Ipswich's 4-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday. The Tractor Boys were already 2-0 up after 28 minutes but had their lead sliced in half just three minutes later when Alan Lee pulled one back. Kevin Lisbie extended Ipswich's lead late in the second half before a Clint Hill own goal sealed the victory for Town.
Things weren't quite so peachy for Simon Davey's Barnsley though. The Tykes were on the receiving end of a four-goal hiding from Norwich City at Carrow Road. Both Rob Kozluk and Jon Macken were involved for the duration but neither were able to prevent former teammate Jamie Cureton from scoring Norwich's second of the evening.
Billy Davies lead Nottingham Forest to their second consecutive 2-0 win on Saturday which saw them move up to 18th place in the Championship. Kelvin Wilson was in the starting eleven for Forest who has been reunited with the man who brought him to North End in 2006.
Graham Alexander visited Deepdale for the second time since his move to rivals Burnley on Saturday. Much like his first visit, Alexander was on the losing side as North End emerged as winners in a 2-1 win thanks to two goals from the penalty spot.
Brian Stock played the full ninety minutes for Doncaster Rovers' 2-1 win over Southampton at St Mary's on Saturday. Rovers are now unbeaten in 2009 after three back-to-back wins.
To conclude our round-up of the Championship, Tamas Priskin was an unused substitute for Watford's fixture with Sheffield United on Saturday. Priskin watched on as two of his former Hornets teammates, namely Danny Webber and Darius Henderson, scored to condemn Watford to their second straight defeat.
In League One, Joe Anyinsah netted the winner for Carlisle in his first game back since his permanent move to the Cumbrian side. Anyinsah came on to replace Scott Dobie, who was once a transfer target for Billy Davies during his tenure at Deepdale on 72 minutes. At this point the score was tied at 2-2 meaning Anyinsah was sent on in search of a winner. If he puts in performances like he did on Saturday it will be hard for manager Greg Abbott to keep out of the team.
Sean Gregan was part of an Oldham back four that leaked five goals on Saturday against Hereford. The promotion hopefuls found themselves 2-0 down after just ten minutes and four down before half-time. Lionel Ainsworth made it five just after the hour mark to add insult to injury.
Two former North Enders went head-to-head at Valley Parade on Saturday when Bradford welcomed the visit of Accrington Stanley. Omar Daley was in from the start for the Bantams as was Colin Murdock for Stanley during the 1-1 draw.
Adam Nowland was back from injury and back in the starting eleven for Notts County on Saturday. The former Preston and Blackpool midfielder was substituted after 83 minutes during his side's 1-1 draw with Brentford who had John Halls on the bench.
Another former Lilywhite who had to make do with a place on the bench was Exeter City's Steve Basham for the Devon outfit's league tie with Bury. Brian Barry-Murphy however was in the starting line-up for his team but was unable to break the deadlock in the 0-0 stalemate.
Paul Simpson's Shrewsbury Town were also held to a draw as the Shropshire outfit were unable to outgun Port Vale at Vale Park. Kelvin Langmead was in from the start whilst former North Enders Michael Jackson and Dave Hibbert were both unused substitutes during the 1-1 draw.
In the Conference, John Beck's new employers Histon miraculously came from behind to win against Northwich Victoria. Crowell had put Victoria 1-0 up before Knight-Percival equalised on 90 minutes. Amazingly, Simpson stunned the home crowd when he turned in the winner seven minutes into added on time.