... and that’s your lot for this edition of Clockwatch. We’ll leave you with Louise Taylor’s take on a fast start at Hull for Shota Arveladze. Thanks for reading!
FULL TIME: Fulham 1-1 Blackpool. A deserved point for battling Blackpool at the home of the Championship leaders. Best wishes to the supporter whose medical emergency caused the game to be delayed.
Richard Jolly was at the University of Bolton Stadium to watch Wanderers hand Sunderland their heaviest-ever defeat in third-tier football. His report has landed, so get clicking.
More details on a poor day for Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor. Celtic’s Liel Abada would double the pain for the leaders a couple of hours later.
Blackpool are still holding Championship leaders Fulham 1-1 at Craven Cottage. Around 20 minutes still to play. Updates to come.
Selected League One full times
- Bolton 6-0 Sunderland
- Cheltenham 0-0 Wigan
- Crewe 0-2 Rotherham
- Gillingham 2-7 Oxford
Scottish Premiership full times
- Aberdeen P-P St Johnstone
- Celtic 1-0 Dundee United
- Dundee P-P St Mirren
- Hearts 2-0 Motherwell
- Hibernian 2-3 Livingston
- Ross County 3-3 Rangers
Championship full times
- Barnsley 0-1 Bournemouth
- Fulham 1-1 Blackpool (L)
- Hull 2-0 Swansea
- Luton 0-0 Blackburn
- Middlesbrough 1-0 Coventry
- Millwall 2-0 WBA
- Preston 2-2 Bristol City
- QPR 4-0 Reading
GOAL! Fulham 1-1 Blackpool (Bowler 57). Josh Bowler shoots through a crowded box and the Championship leaders are pegged back!
GOAL! Preston 2-2 Bristol City (Jakobsen 90+5). Emil Jakobsen denies the Robins with a screaming last-gasp volley!
GOAL! Celtic 1-0 Dundee United (Abada 90). Liel Abada wins it at the death for ten-man Celtic, who close the gap on Rangers to two points. The Old Firm derby coming up during the week!
Updated
More problems at the game between Crewe and Rotherham. The linesman earlier hit by an object thrown by a Rotherham fan has stopped the game and walked off. Not sure if he’s been hit a second time, if he’s concussed as a result of the earlier incident, or if something has been said. Whatever, it’s a thoroughly depressing affair. The linesman is replaced by the fourth official.
GOAL! Bolton 5-0 Sunderland (Batth og 85).
GOAL! Bolton 6-0 Sunderland (John 88).
Danny Batth sends a spectacular header past his own keeper, then, three minutes later, Declan John scores a scrappy sixth. Meanwhile Oxford are now 7-2 up at Gillingham. Not a penalty this time, so y’know.
FOUR PENALTIES FOR CAMERON BRANNIGAN! This is astonishing. The Oxford midfielder secures a place in the history books by sending a fourth spot kick whistling past poor Gillingham keeper Pontus Dahlberg. His team are currently 6-2 up. The punters at Priestfield have certainly got their money’s worth today, even if they might not appreciate it right now.
GOAL! Preston 1-2 Bristol City (Semenyo 81). City retake the lead through Antoine Semenyo, and a rare win for Bristol City over Preston could be on after all.
Updated
RED CARD: Bitton (Celtic). A second yellow for Nir Bitton on 81 minutes, and Celtic’s hopes of closing the gap on leaders Rangers are quickly running out.
Speaking of promotion hopefuls in freefall ... Rotherham have just taken a 2-0 lead at ten-man Crewe. If they hold on for the win, they’ll go top of League One, pushing Sunderland, currently on the end of a 4-0 thrashing at Bolton, out of the automatic promotion places into third. What’s more, Sunderland will have played two matches more than Rotherham, and four more than second-placed Wigan. Like West Brom in the Championship, if they don’t get back into the groove soon, even the play-offs could become a pipe dream.
Summary
GOAL! Millwall 2-0 WBA (Afobe 76). Benik Afobe doubles Millwall’s lead. West Brom had genuine designs on automatic promotion, but this will extend their current form sequence to one win in seven. It’ll be play-offs at best, perhaps even mid-table if they don’t rediscover their mojo quicksmart.
Updated
It’s half-time at Fulham. The hosts go in 1-0 up over Blackpool. Meanwhile at Crewe, one of the assistant referees has been hit by something thrown by a Rotherham fan. Another depressing incident for the ever-expanding What’s Wrong With People? file.
64' Rotherham's captain Wood has gone over to talk to the Rotherham fan base and now play will continue.
— Crewe Alexandra (@crewealexfc) January 29, 2022
[0-1] #CreweAlex https://t.co/P4zgstJXQs
... so having said that, United keeper Benjamin Siegrist has just denied Celtic striker Giorgos Giakoumakis with a stunning point-blank save. Be careful what you wish for, Simon McMahon.
It’s still goalless at Celtic Park. “What’s going on?” wonders our unofficial Dundee United beat reporter Simon McMahon. “Didn’t the United players see my email before kick off about winning at Dens on Tuesday rather than today? Surely we can’t do both! The last player to score the winner for United at Celtic Park? Duncan Ferguson. 30 years ago.”
GOAL! Millwall 1-0 WBA (Bennett 67). Mason Bennett slams home from a tight angle to give the Lions a deserved lead at the New Den.
Updated
GOAL! Hibernian 2-3 Livingston (Forrest 59). The visitors have turned it around with two goals in six minutes, Alan Forrest putting the artists also formerly known as Ferranti Thistle in front for the first time.
GOAL! Bolton 4-0 Sunderland (Lee 59). This is getting embarrassing now for the Black Cats, Kieran Lee taking the match towards the realms of the spanking.
Updated
GOAL! Hearts 2-0 Motherwell (Simms 58). Ellis Simms doubles Hearts’ lead as they look to consolidate third place.
Hats off to Cameron Brannagan! The Oxford midfielder has just completed a hat-trick of penalties, the Us setting about Gillingham in the grand style. They’re 5-0 up at Priestfield.
Updated
GOAL! Hibernian 2-2 Livingston (Fitzwater 53). A second equaliser at Easter Road for the artists formerly known as Meadowbank Thistle, courtesy of Jack Fitzwater.
GOAL! Middlesbrough 1-0 Coventry (Sporar 58). Boro are looking to make it five home wins on the spin. Andraz Sporar gives them the lead at the Riverside.
Updated
GOAL! Preston 1-1 Bristol City (Jakobsen 52). City have only beaten Preston once in their last 17 meetings, a miserable sequence that looks like being extended now Emil Jakobsen has equalised.
GOAL! QPR 4-0 Reading (Dunne 51). Jimmy Dunne makes it four for Rangers, and the way things are trending right now, Reading will be playing Sunderland in League One next season.
Updated
GOAL! Bolton 3-0 Sunderland (Charles 50). A second goal for Dion Charles, and Sunderland are in all sorts of bother here.
Updated
All of the second halves are now underway, with the obvious exception of Fulham-Blackpool. No early goals.
There’s some big Africa Cup of Nations action kicking off right now. Will Unwin has the latest as hosts Cameroon take on Gambia in the first quarter-final.
The teams are back out at Craven Cottage. The ill supporter is being taken to hospital. Hopes, prayers, and best wishes for a quick and full recovery.
The supporter being attended to is being transferred to the hospital.
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) January 29, 2022
We’re sending our thoughts and best wishes for a full and speedy recovery.
We will provide an update on the situation as soon as we have further information.#FFC
Scottish Premiership half-times
- Aberdeen P-P St Johnstone
- Celtic 0-0 Dundee United
- Dundee P-P St Mirren
- Hearts 1-0 Motherwell
- Hibernian 2-1 Livingston
- Ross County 3-3 Rangers (FT)
Championship half-times
- Barnsley 0-1 Bournemouth
- Fulham 1-0 Blackpool (L)
- Hull 2-0 Swansea
- Luton 0-0 Blackburn
- Middlesbrough 0-0 Coventry
- Millwall 0-0 WBA
- Preston 0-1 Bristol City
- QPR 3-0 Reading
The game at Fulham still hasn’t restarted. Meanwhile at Wycombe, some of the MK Dons support have aimed offensive chants at Adebayo Akinfenwa, forcing the club’s official Twitter account to tell them to pipe down.
We ask that the #MKDons fans please refrain from singing that chant.
— Milton Keynes Dons (@MKDonsFC) January 29, 2022
Let’s get behind the boys 👊
GOAL! Bolton 2-0 Sunderland (Afolayan 42). Oladapo Afolayan doubles Bolton’s lead in the big League One showdown. Sunderland started the day in second place, but as things stand they’ll slip to third, with Rotherham leapfrogging them. Rotherham and Wigan both have games in hand, too.
Updated
GOAL! Hearts 1-0 Motherwell (Halliday 37). Andy Halliday gives Hearts the lead on his 50th appearance for the club.
GOAL! QPR 3-0 Reading (Amos 37). Yep. Luke Amos makes it two in three minutes for the Super Hoops, and the Biscuitmen are well and truly broken.
Updated
GOAL! QPR 2-0 Reading (Dykes 35). A second goal for Lyndon Dykes, and it’s already looking like a fifth defeat in a row for Reading.
Updated
GOAL! Hibernian 2-1 Livingston (Cadden 32). Hibs regain the lead at Easter Road through Chris Cadden. Meanwhile Dundee United are currently giving as good as they’re getting at a quiet Celtic Park. No goals yet as the hosts look to capitalise on Rangers’ draw at Ross County.
The game at Craven Cottage is still on hold as a spectator receives medical assistance. No other significant action elsewhere to report, either.
GOAL! Hibernian 1-1 Livingston (Obileye 18). Hibs keeper Matt Macey flaps, and Ayo Obileye grabs the opportunity to equalise with both hands.
There’s been a medical emergency in the stand behind one of the goals at Craven Cottage. The referee has taken the teams off. Here’s hoping whoever is struggling right now pulls through.
GOAL! Bolton 1-0 Sunderland (Charles 19). Another showdown between two giants slumming it in League One. Dion Charles gets the opener in this one.
GOAL! Preston 0-1 Bristol City (Martin 12). City have lost four of their last six. Chris Martin does his bit to arrest that slide.
GOAL! Hull City 2-0 Swansea (Lewis-Potter 17). Some start for the new boss Shota Arveladze, Keane Lewis-Potter doubling the home side’s lead.
GOAL! Barnsley 0-1 Bournemouth (Billing 12). Bournemouth have lost three of their last five matches, so will be glad to run into bottom club Barnsley. Philip Billing with the early breakthrough.
Updated
GOAL! QPR 1-0 Reading (Dykes 13). Downwardly mobile Reading are in trouble already, thanks to a Lyndon Dykes header.
Updated
GOAL! Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 Ipswich (Johnson 6). A big game between two struggling giants in League One. Sheffield Wednesday maintain their record of scoring at Hillsborough in every game this season. Marvin Johnson with a crisp volley.
Updated
GOAL! Hibernian 1-0 Livingston (Mitchell 6). Demetri Mitchell gives the Hibees a fast start, as they look to leapfrog Motherwell into fourth place in the Scottish Premiership.
GOAL! Fulham 1-0 Blackpool (Mitrovic 6). No surprise here. Fulham score their 74th goal of their Championship campaign. Blackpool at sixes and sevens?
GOAL! Hull City 1-0 Swansea City (Eaves 5). The perfect start for new Hull boss Shota Arveladze, courtesy of Tom Eaves.
Updated
No super-early goals in any of our big games ... or indeed anywhere else. You’re welcome. Pulitzer, please!
It’s 3pm! Kick off!
Some more pre-match reading, courtesy of our unofficial Dundee United correspondent Simon McMahon. “United go to Glasgow today on a red-hot streak of two straight wins, following last Saturday’s extra-time defeat of Kilmarnock in the Scottish Cup, and a last-minute winner against Ross County in midweek bringing a first league win in, well, ages. Looking at the league table, fourth place is still very much up for grabs, but then so is fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth. I’d happily take a defeat today if it meant a win at Dens on Tuesday.”
Some pre-match reading to whet the appetite.
The eagle eyed will have noticed a truncated card in Scotland today... and yes indeed, a couple of Scottish Premiership games have been postponed. Storm Malik has done for the games between Aberdeen and St Johnstone, and Dundee and St Mirren.
FULL TIME: Ross County 3-3 Rangers
The struggling Staggies snatch a point at the death! They edge a little closer to ninth-placed Livingston, and a little further away from 11th-placed Dundee. Meanwhile at the top, Rangers drop crucial points in their pursuit of Two In A Row. They’re five clear of Celtic, who will close the gap to two if they see off Dundee United in the next couple of hours ... and the Old Firm derby comes up later in the week! This could turn out to be a pivotal few days in the title race.
GOAL! Ross County 3-3 Rangers (Wright 90+5). No they can’t! County force a corner. Rangers can’t clear it. Some pinball in the box. Allan McGregor should claim a ball that bobbles towards him, but inexplicably allow it to bounce off his chest, teeing up Matthew Wright, who slams home from a couple of yards!
Scrub that. Seven added minutes. Can Rangers hold out and open up a seven-point lead over Celtic at the top?
Ross County keeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer has taken one full in the face. An accidental collision with one of his own defenders, or perhaps Fashion Sakala, who was closing in on goal. Looks like a broken nose. You wouldn’t blame him for calling it a day, but he’s determined to continue. He takes some patching up, though. As a result, there will be six added minutes at Victoria Park.
There is one Scottish Premiership game underway already. Rangers have made the trip north to Dingwall, and they’re currently 3-2 up against Ross County with ten minutes to go. Amad Diallo, freshly arrived on loan from Manchester United, needed just five minutes to score his first goal for the Light Blues, today playing in purple. Jordan White and Regan Charles-Cook capitalised on a couple of mistakes to put the Staggies 2-1 up at the break, but James Tavernier and Connor Goldson have tipped the balance back in favour of Rangers, who are pushing for a surely decisive fourth. It’s tipping down in the Highlands, by the way.
Preamble
Welcome to today’s low-fat, semi-skimmed, high-fibre edition of Clockwatch. No Premier League this weekend, but we do have some top-drawer Scottish Premiership action as well as an extensive Championship card that features free-scoring Fulham. Look here!
- Celtic v Dundee United
- Hearts v Motherwell
- Hibs v Livingston
... and here!
- Barnsley v Bournemouth
- Fulham v Blackpool
- Hull v Swansea
- Luton v Blackburn
- Middlesbrough v Coventry
- Millwall v WBA
- Preston v Bristol City
- QPR v Reading
It all kicks off at 3pm. Other matches, and the stories they throw up, are available, and may well be mentioned in dispatches. It’s on!
