Next 20 Round-Up: Harry earns praise as Tigers lose
Kick It Out’s ‘Next 20’ initiative involves players from across the Premier League, English Football League (EFL) and Women’s Super League, who represent the organisation as ambassadors and help to spread the key messages of equality and inclusion.
Ross Hobart provides the latest update from the 2016-17 season, as our ambassadors make their impression on the pitch.
Two ‘Next 20’ ambassadors came together as Harry Maguire’s Hull City faced Chelsea’s Nathaniel Chabolah in the Premier League. The Blues won 2-0 thanks to goals from Diego Costa and Gary Cahill to take them eight points clear at the top of the Premier League, while Hull remain in the drop zone. Despite the loss, Harry’s performance was praised on the BBC’s Match Of The Day programme.
Romelu Lukaku completed 90 minutes for Everton as they left it late to beat struggling Crystal Palace 1-0 at Selhurst Park. Seamus Coleman scored in the 87th minute to secure the Toffees fourth win out of their last five matches, to move them within five points of sixth placed Manchester United.
Nathan Redmond played for Southampton in their 3-0 victory against Leicester City at St Marys. Goals from James Ward-Prowse, Jay Rodriguez and Dusan Tadic ended the Saints run of four straight defeats, as they climb to eleventh in the table.
Callum Wilson featured for Bournemouth as they came from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Watford at the Vitality Stadium. Christian Kabesele’s header saw Walter Mazzari’s side leading at the break, but Josh King equalised soon after, slotting home Adam Smith’s cross. Troy Deeney restored Watford’s lead with a header just after the hour mark, before Benik Afobe struck eight minutes from time to earn the Cherries a point.
Ben Davies was an unused substitute as Tottenham Hotspur came from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Manchester City.
In the Championship, Jason Lowe completed 90 minutes for Blackburn Rovers as they drew 1-1 with Birmingham City at Ewood Park. Lukas Jutkiewicz netted an early penalty to put the visitors ahead, before Danny Graham levelled for Rovers just before half-time, but this didn’t stop Owen Coyle’s men slipping back into the relegation zone.
Romaine Sawyers played 75 minutes for Brentford, as they lost 2-1 to Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium. Goals from Sam Morsy and Harlee Dean (OG) put the Latics into a two-goal lead at the interval, before Spaniard Jota netted a late consolation for Dean Smith’s side, who have now lost three out of their last five matches.
In League One, Daniel Powell was an unused substitute as Milton Keynes Dons beat Northampton 5-3 in an entertaining game at Stadium MK, while Gael Birigimana missed Coventry City’s 1-0 defeat Fleetwood Town through injury.
Michael Harriman also missed Wycombe Wanderers’ clash with fellow League Two promotion hopefuls Luton Town through injury. The match finished 1-1.
Wes Foderingham featured as Rangers progressed through to the Fifth Round of the Scottish League Cup with a 2-1 over Motherwell at Ibrox. Louis Moult nodded the visitors ahead after 74 minutes, before Kenny Miller netted a quick-fire double to turn the tie in Rangers’ favour to set up a tie against Greenock Morton.
England’s women were in action and were narrowly defeated by Norway in La Manga. Toni Duggan featured for the entire match as the Lionesses failed to come back from Ada Hegerberg’s first half header.