Mixed emotions for Irish contingent

Graham Kavanagh was sent off for the second time in four appearances for Cardiff City.

Kavanagh had missed a month of action recently after a three-match ban, and the Irish international can expect another unwanted holiday after his dismissal at Bramall Lane.

The 31-year-old, sent off at Reading last month, was shown the red card by referee Andre Marriner for a wild challenge on the former Chelsea and Fulham man.

Elsewhere in the Championship, Martin Rowlands' QPR lost 1-0 to Reading and Steven Elliot featured as a substitute as Sunderland beat Burnley, 2-1.

In the Premier League, Clinton Morrison grabbed his 3rd of the season for Birmingham City against West Brom. As David Dunn broke free on the left flank, Morrison was looking towards the dug-out, but when he realized the promise of the situation, sprinted into the box to put his side 2-0 up. The match finished 4-0.

Steven Reid's Blackburn and Everton, featuring Kevin Kilbane and Lee Carsley, played out a 0-0 draw at Edwood Park. Damien Duff grabbed his 7th goal of the season as Chelsea steamrolled over Norwich 4-0 to continue their seemingly unstoppable march to the Premiership title. Irish international Gary Doherty had a game to forget at centre back for the Canaries.

Rory Delap started in midfield for Harry Redknapp's Southampton at White Hart Lane against Tottenham. Both Robbie Keane and Steven Kelly were on the bench for Spurs and Keane scored Spurs 5th goal after being put in by hat-trick hero Jermaine Defoe. Richard Dunne helped Man City keep a clean sheet against Bolton in a disappointing 1-0 victory for City.

John O'Shea scored his first goal for a year against Crystal Palace in the late kick off. The Waterford man was a first half substitute for Quinton Fortune. Roy Keane captained United while Liam Miller was an unused substitute. Thing got worse for Given, O'Brien and Carr at Newcastle as they went down 3-1 to Liverpool.


Ian Harte started at left back for Levante in the Spanish Primera Liga. The promoted side managed a 1-1 draw with Albacete. In Scotland, Aiden McGeady conributed to Celtic stabilising their top spot with a 1-0 victory over Dundee United.