Northern Ireland defender Justin Devenny enjoyed a dream debut for Stoke City, netting a brilliant brace to inspire the Potters to a commanding 4-0 victory over Charlton Athletic at the weekend.
The 22-year-old deadline-day signing from Crystal Palace opened the scoring after just 15 minutes, confidently converting from the penalty spot. He struck again four minutes before the interval to claim his second of the match and Stoke's third.
In between Devenny’s clinical double, his international teammate Ethan Galbraith scored the home side’s second to make it three goals in four games for the former Manchester United midfielder.
“It’s a great way to start; that’s the level, that’s the bar,” Devenny told the official Stoke City website after his two-goal debut. “I need to keep my standards high and keep striving for more. I’ve only trained twice, so I’m still trying to get to know the boys.
Meanwhile in League One, Tottenham Hotspur loanee Jamie Donley scored his first goal for Luton Town to secure a 1-1 home draw against one of his former clubs, Leyton Orient.
Midfielder Jamie McDonnell got his season up and running by bagging his first-ever goal for Oxford United, capping off a stunning 4-0 victory over former Premier League champions Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.
Barnsley’s Cameron McGeehan found the net for the third successive game after opening the scoring for the Tykes from the penalty spot - though they eventually lost 5-1 to a Stevenage side who included veteran striker Josh Magennis in their starting line-up.
In Scotland, Dundee United defender Michael Forbes chalked up his first goal for the club when he headed home an injury-time equaliser in their 1-1 draw at home to Falkirk.
Eighteen-year-old Braiden Graham was named in the Everton squad for their Premier League encounter with Manchester United, but he remained an unused substitute as the Toffees rescued a 2-2 draw with a dramatic last-minute equaliser.
Kieran Morrison impressed for Sheffield Wednesday and was significantly involved in both goals as they claimed three points from their latest League One fixture. It was Morrison’s dinked finish from a loose ball that forced an own goal by Josh Feeney to put Wednesday ahead during the first half. Later, after Peterborough had levelled, a Morrison corner delivery to the near post was headed in by Yan Valery to win the game.
Elsewhere, Shea Charles made his first Premier League start during Fulham’s 3-2 home defeat to Crystal Palace. Defender Dan Ballard had a goal ruled out by VAR as Sunderland drew 1-1 at Brentford, with Trai Hume appearing as a second-half substitute.
In the opening weekend of the Women’s Super League, newly promoted Charlton Athletic suffered a 4-0 home defeat to Liverpool, with Ellie Mason making the starting line-up. Meanwhile, Rebecca McKenna started for Birmingham City in their 3-1 home lossto Manchester City, who kept Northern Ireland U17 international Chloe Beckinsale on the bench as an unused substitute.
In the Sports Direct Women’s Premiership, Cliftonville Ladies edged closer to the title as a Louise McDaniel hat-trick sealed a 4–0 win at Derry City, while Nadene Caldwell scored her sixth of the season in Glentoran’s matching 4–0 victory over Lisburn Ladies to keep the pressure on the league leaders.
