Five of West Ham United’s loanees were involved in a busy weekend of action throughout the English football pyramid...
In the EFL Championship, George Earthy’s Bristol City closed the gap to the Play-Off places with a huge 2-1 win over fellow promotion contenders Blackburn Rovers.
Unbeaten at Ashton Gate since November, Bristol City took the lead on 12 minutes from a Scott Twine free-kick. Former Robin Andreas Weimann, who departed Bristol City in the summer after six years at the club, found the equaliser just before half-time.
Earthy was introduced to the action 15 minutes from time, replacing forward Anis Mehmeti, as the home side searched for a winner. That goal would come two minutes later as fellow substitute Nahki Wells scored for the second game running.
Earthy would play his part in stoppage time, playing keep ball with goalscorers Wells and Twine to see out the win, closing the gap to the Play-Off spots to two places.
Staying in the Championship, Freddie Potts' Portsmouth endured a tough afternoon at The Hawthorns, falling 5-1 to West Bromwich Albion.
Potts began the match on the bench, one of five changes made by head coach John Mousinho to manage squad minutes during a demanding run of fixtures, six matches in 17 days.
By the time the 20-year-old entered the fray in the 59th minute, replacing Isaac Hayden, Pompey were 5-0 down. Despite the difficult circumstances, Potts competed effectively in midfield, helping restore some composure. Nineteen-year-old debutant Thomas Waddingham netted a late consolation goal in stoppage time.
Pompey now turn their attention to their game in hand at home to Millwall on Tuesday, an opportunity to distance themselves from the relegation places which they currently sit two points clear of.
In EFL League One, Gideon Kodua made his second league start of the season as Wycombe Wanderers played out a goalless draw with Northampton Town at Adams Park.
Having scored in his first League One start during a 3-2 win over Burton Albion, Kodua was tasked with a more defensive role this time around, deployed at right-back by interim coach Sam Grace.
The point keeps Wycombe in the second automatic promotion spot, ahead of Wrexham, as they prepare for their midweek clash against Barnsley.
Callum Marshall’s Huddersfield Town’s 16-game unbeaten streak in League One finally came to an end as they were defeated 1-0 at home to Bolton Wanderers.
Northern Ireland international Marshall came on for the last half-an-hour, replacing new signing Joe Taylor. The 20-year-old came the closest to finding an equaliser with a shot from outside the box and then a tight-angled effort which forced a good low save from Bolton’s shot stopper, compatriot Luke Southwood.
In the National League South, Mason Terry's Hornchurch lost 1-0 at home to Dorking Wanderers. A 22nd-minute strike from Matt Briggs proved enough to seal the points against a Hornchurch side struggling for goals.
West Ham's senior loanees James Ward-Prowse and Nayef Aguerd both featured on the bench for their respective clubs over the weekend. Ward-Prowse’s Nottingham Forest saw their ten-match unbeaten run end with a 5-0 defeat at Bournemouth, while Aguerd’s Real Sociedad fell 3-0 at home to Getafe in La Liga.
