- Enner Valencia was on the scoresheet for the second time in as many matches for Everton
- Josh Cullen’s great form continued as Bradford City went seven games unbeaten in League One
- There were also starts for George Dobson, Toni Martinez and Sam Howes
Hammer Enner Valencia scored his second goal in as many matches for Everton on Saturday as he found the net within a minute of coming on as a substitute in the Toffees’ 4-0 win over Hull City.
The Ecuadorian loanee, putting the result beyond doubt with the hosts’ second 12 minutes from time, followed up his strike against Spurs a fortnight ago with the tidy finish after playing a one-two with teammate Romelu Lukaku.
Having fallen behind after just nine minutes when Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored his first Premier League goal, Hull stayed in the game until Tom Huddlestone was sent off in the 73rd minute.
Valencia’s strike opened the floodgates, and Lukaku bagged two in injury time to add a gloss to the scoreline.
In the Championship, Reece Oxford made his second outing in a Reading shirt on Friday as he came on as a sub in the Royals’ 2-0 win at Sheffield Wednesday.
The play-off chasers took the lead through Yann Kermorgant early on and Adrian Popa sealed the win five minutes into injury time at the end of the game.
Bradford City, another side chasing a top six place though this time in League One, picked up a crucial victory on Saturday as they came from behind to beat Swindon Town.
Josh Cullen, one of the third tier’s stars of the season, played the full 90 minutes for the Bantams who made it seven league matches unbeaten with the Valley Parade victory.
Charlton loanee Nicky Ajose thought he had won the game for the visitors when he found the back of the net 15 minutes from time, but Stuart McCall’s men hit back with an equaliser in the 85th minute.
Charlie Wyke was the scorer, and he was at it again six minutes later as he celebrated a tenth City goal since joining from Carlisle United in January.
There was a second start of the week for George Dobson, who completed his second League One 90 minutes for Walsall.
The Saddlers left Southend United’s Roots Hall disappointed however, as their two-goal lead thanks to Franck Moussa’s brace was wiped out with three Shrimpers second half goals.
Former Hammer Anton Ferdinand volleyed home from 12 yards to make it 2-2 after Nile Ranger had pulled a goal back for the hosts, and Simon Cox was able to win the game seven minutes before the referee’s final whistle.
Toni Martinez, who had previously gone three matches without a start, was back in the Oxford United XI to face fifth-placed Scunthorpe United, and the Us kept their top six ambitions alive with a huge 2-1 win.
Paddy Madden scored after 12 minutes to give Scunthorpe the initiative, but skipper John Lundstram equalised and the Kassam Stadium erupted when Phil Edwards struck in stoppage time to make it 2-1.
Jaanai Gordon played the final 13 minutes for Newport County in League Two, but could not help the Exiles overturn a three-goal deficit against Blackpool.
Alex Samuel did pull one back for the hosts after Bright Osayi-Samuel – with a brace – and Mark Cullen had bagged for the visitors at Rodney Parade, but County’s relegation worries continue after the defeat.
In the National League south, Sam Howes played his part in an entertaining fixture between Poole Town and his loan side Hampton and Richmond Borough as the points were eventually shared.
Poole took a first half two-goal lead but Howes’ side hit back and stunned their hosts to go 3-2 up with eleven minutes left.
Seven minutes from time though an equaliser was scored and both sides were made to settle for a point, which leaves Hampton and Richmond Borough seventh in the league table.
Finally, Sam Ford was introduced as a second half substitute for Bishop’s Stortford however they were beaten 1-0 by Whitehawk in the same division.