Loan watch: Wilson and Grujic shine in vital wins
Harry Wilson and Marko Grujic were both acclaimed after the Liverpool duo starred in vital victories for their respective loan clubs.
A superbly-taken 71st-minute strike from Wilson capped a remarkable turnaround for Hull City, who trailed Norwich City 3-1 at home but fought back to win 4-3.
The Tigers now sit six points clear of the Championship’s relegation zone and, speaking post-match on Saturday, their boss Nigel Adkins was effusive in his praise of Wilson’s display, with the 20-year-old also claiming an assist.
“[It was] another wonderful goal from ‘snake hips’ Harry Wilson,” Adkins said, after the young Welshman netted his second goal in four Championship appearances.
“He sent their defence all ways and produced a great finish. He’s such an exciting player.”
The Hull Daily Mail named Wilson their Man of the Match, with the local newspaper reporting: “City have signed a gem on loan from Liverpool and he ought to be enjoyed as long as he is here.
“A magnificent winner to earn all three points but his trickery and pace gave Norwich problems throughout.”
At the other end of the second tier, Grujic continued his fine form to help second-placed Cardiff City close the gap on leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The Serbian midfielder completed the full 90 minutes as the Bluebirds beat Birmingham City 3-2. Wolves lost 4-1 to Aston Villa later on Saturday, meaning Neil Warnock’s side are now just three points adrift of the summit following their sixth win on the spin.
“I thought that was Grujic's best game since coming here,” Warnock said. “I thought he dominated in the middle and in the air. I thought he did ever so well.”
Wales Online reported that Grujic 'kept possession with consummate ease' to help Cardiff see out the game.
“It's important to remember that he's only 21 years old and is being asked to play a position - in a promotion-pushing Championship midfield - that he's not used to,” the publication noted.
“Defensive midfield has been a problem area since Aron Gunnarsson's injury and Grujic's arrival has coincided with an upturn in the Bluebirds' form. For a naturally attacking midfield player, that's some feat.”
Elsewhere in the Championship, Sheyi Ojo appeared as a late substitute as Fulham sustained their push for promotion by beating Preston North End 2-1, Jon Flanagan featured for 84 minutes of Bolton Wanderers’ 1-1 draw with Sheffield Wednesday and Ovie Ejaria played in 10-man Sunderland’s 1-0 defeat to QPR.
Pedro Chirivella enjoyed a day to savour as relegation-threatened Willem II stunned runaway Eredivisie leaders PSV Eindhoven. The Spanish midfielder completed the full match as Willem ran out 5-0 winners.
Divock Origi featured as Wolfsburg lost 3-0 to Hoffenheim and, on Friday, Connor Randall’s Hearts were beaten 2-0 by Hibernian in the Edinburgh derby.
Meanwhile, Matty Virtue featured in Notts County’s 2-1 League Two win at Forest Green Rovers, Corey Whelan’s Yeovil Town were defeated 2-0 by Newport County and Andy Firth played in Chester's 2-0 loss to local rivals Wrexham.