UK 

In English Premier League action Mat Ryan was in goals for Brighton and Hove Albion who lost 2-0 away from home to Bournemouth. Brighton head into Christmas in 13th place with Ryan keeping three clean sheets. 

In the English Championship Massimo Luongo played a full game in midfield for QPR as they snatched a 1-0 away win over Nottingham Forest. Jackson Irvine played a full match as a No.10 for Hull City as they defeated Swansea City 3-2. 

Bailey Wright was absent from Bristol City's squad that drew 1-1 with Derby County. Wright has returned from injury and Bristol sit comfortably in mid table in the Championship. James Meredith started and played 71 minutes for Millwall who lost 1-0 to Stoke City for whom Adam Federici was an unused sub.

Ryan Williams played 25 minutes off the bench for Rotherham United as they were humbled 4-0 at home to West Brom. Mile Jedinak was still absent from Aston Villa's match day squad as they lost 3-2 at home to Leeds United. 

In League One action Kenny Dougall has returned from injury after being out for almost three months and made a 90th minute appearance for Barnsley in their 1-0 win over Blackpool. Brad Inman was absent from Rochdale FC's 2-1 win away to Southend United.

Cameron Burgess had a comical match for Scunthorpe United against Bradford City as he was substituted on for the second half and was sent off with two yellow cards in the 66th minute. Ryan McGowan played a full match as Bradford beat Scunthorpe United 2-0. 

In League Two action Jordan Lyden was a 67th minute substitute for Oldham Athletic as they lost 3-2 at home to Exeter City for whom Jimmy Oates was an unused sub. 

In the English Youth Leagues Ben Folami got on the scoresheet once again for Ipswich U23 wrapping up a 2-0 win in the 90th minute over Charlton Athletic for whom Ashley Maynard-Brewer was an unused sub.Callum Elder was absent from Leicester City U-23 squad that beat Chelsea U23 2-1. Jacob Young played a full game for Sunderland U23 as they drew 1-1 with Norwich City U23. 

In the SFPL Tom Rogic was absent from Celtic's 3-0 win over Motherwell for whom Andy Rose played a full game. Rogic later in the week played a full game in another 3-0 victory this time over Dundee for whom Jesse Curran also played 90 minutes.

Jesse Curran also played a full match in Dundee's 5-1 loss to Aberdeen. In Hibernian's 0-0 draw with Rangers Martin Boyle was a 65th minute substitute, Mark Milligan came on for the second half and Jamie Maclaren was an unused sub.

Later in the week Hibernian drew 1-1 with Livingston as Mark Milligan and Martin Boyle played full matches and Jamie Maclaren played nine minutes off the bench. Oli Bozanic played a full game while Ben Garuccio was absent as Aberdeen beat Hearts 2-0.

Ryan Edwards started and played 59 minutes for St. Mirren in their 1-0 win over Motherwell. 

In the Scottish Championship Lyndon Dykes played a full game as Queen of the South lost 2-0 to Alloa Athletic. Tom Beadling played a full match as Dunfermline Athletic drew 0-0 with Ayr United. 

ASIA 

In the Saudi Arabian League Rhys Williams and Jack Duncan played full matches as Al-Qadisiyah defeated Al-Tawoun 3-1. Mat Jurman played a full game in a Al-Ittihad's 2-1 loss to Al-Nassr ahead of the Asian Cup. 

In the UAE Bernie Ibini-Isei was absent as Emirates Club progressed to the next round of the Etisalat Cup in a 3-2 win over Al-Sharjah.