Starting in the Championship, Wayne Bridge managed 66 minutes for Brighton and Hove Albion as they won 6-1 at home to Blackpool. That result cements their place in the play-offs with two games remaining.
Very much a Sheffield Wednesday starting regular, Jeremy Helan completed another 90 minutes as the Owls drew 1-1 with Ipswich to edge further away from the relegation places.
Dutch defender Karim Rekik saw some rare action for Blackburn this week, coming off the bench in the 63rd minute. The Ewood Park side were heavily beaten 4-0 by Watford as they continue their own fight against the drop.
Alex Nimely remains on the sidelines for Crystal Palace as he nurses a hamstring injury.
In League One, Eirik Holmen Johansen took his place on the bench for Scunthorpe following the return from injury of regular keeper Sam Slocombe.
The Iron beat MK Dons away 1-0 to give themselves a very slim chance of avoiding relegation on the final day of the season.
Slocombe has been impressed by the young City keeper’s performances, telling the Scunthorpe Telegraph: “I think Eirik has been fantastic for us. In a couple of games he’s made some fantastic saves.
“Against Leyton Orient he pulled off two fantastic saves while it was 2-1, so we got the win in that.”
...Sam Slocombe on Eirik Johansen...
Dropping down to League Two, Adam Drury was an unused substitute as Burton Albion went down 1-0 to Bradford, ending their hopes of automatic promotion.
There was better news for Alex Henshall’s Chesterfield, who beat Fleetwood 3-1. The City youngster entered the fray from the bench with seven minutes remaining.
In Scotland, Ryan McGivern sat out Hibernian’s goalless draw with Aberdeen through suspension – the Northern Ireland defender has picked up six yellow cards this season automatically incurring a one match ban.
On the continent, Omar Elabdellaoui could play no part in Eintracht Braunschweig’s 1-1 draw. They remain second in the 2.Bundesliga.
Sick so couldn’t play today!:/ but 1-1 today. Boys did well and worked hard! Hope I will be ready for next game against ingolstadt!:)3points
— Omar Elabdellaoui (@OmarEla14) April 21, 2013
Said to be attracting interest from Premier League sides, Abdi Ibrahim played the full 90 minutes for Stromsgodset in Norway’s Eliteserien as they overcame Lillestrom by a solitary strike at the weekend.
Elsewhere, Luca Scapuzzi came on for the last 23 minutes as Varese triumphed 1-0 over Ternana in Serie B.
Roque Santa Cruz was an unused substitute for Malaga, who lost 5-1 away to Valencia, while Mohamed Abu was absent for Lorient in Ligue 1 as they beat Toulouse 1-0.
