In the English Premier League, Adam Federici played a full game in goal as Reading were beaten 3-1 by Tottenham Hotspur. Despite the score-line, Federici enjoyed a decent shift, making a series of comfortable saves including an acrobatic diving save to deny Scott Parker’s drive late in the second half.

Chris Herd played 90 minutes as Aston Villa ended their run of poor results, earning a point with a 2-2 draw against Swansea. Herd was put under immense pressure in the first half as Swansea took an early lead and threatened to add more on multiple occasions, but Villa responded well and looked set to steal all three points until Danny Graham equalised for Swansea in the 94th minute. Brett Holman was a 68th minute substitute but had little impact on the game.

Mark Schwarzer was absent with a neck injury as Fulham earned an important 2-1 win at West Bromwich Albion, while Brad Jones returned from illness to take his place on the bench as Liverpool beat Sunderland 3-0.

In the Championship, Mile Jedinak played 90 minutes as Crystal Palace returned to winning ways, beating a disappointing Wolverhampton 3-1, while Shane Lowry played 90 minutes as Millwall also enhanced their promotion hopes with a 2-1 win over Bristol City, who were without Neil Kilkenny.

Rhys Williams played a full game as Middlesbrough suffered a lacklustre 3-1 loss to Derby County. Scott McDonald started but was replaced at half time after having little impact in the first half.

Elsewhere, Sebastian Usai was an unused substitute as Blackburn beat Nottingham Forest 3-0, while Patrick Kisnorbo was absent from the match-day squad as Leeds United beat Bolton 1-0.

In League One, Bradden Inman played 84 minutes as Crewe Alexandra beat Carlisle United 1-0. Inman played a role in the game’s only goal, as his shot was well saved by Carlisle ‘keeper Mark Gillespie only for Lauri Dalle Valle to arrive and nod the ball above Gillespie and into the back of the net.

James Wesolowski was shown a straight red card as Oldham Athletic fought back from 2-0 down to earn a 2-2 draw with Scunthorpe United. Wesolowski was sent off in the 68th minute after a poorly timed challenge on Damien Mozika. Dean Bouzanis played the full 90 minutes in goal, while Alex Cisak was an unused substitute.

Bailey Wright was substituted with concussion after just 35 minutes as Preston North End earned a valuable 1-0 away at Hartlepool. Shane Cansdell-Sherriff returned to the starting line-up, playing the full 90 minutes.

In League Two, James Meredith started and played 45 minutes as Bradford City played out a 0-0 draw with Morecambe. Meredith was replaced at the break by fellow Aussie Curtis Good, who played the second half at left-back. Good had a chance to score the winner on 86 minutes but headed over from Izak Reid’s free-kick.

Aaron Downes conceded a last minute penalty as Torquay United lost 3-2 to AFC Wimbledon. Torquay manager Martin Ling couldn’t hide his frustration at Downes’ sloppy challenge, later saying “Downes has just been named man of the match, had a great game and then he lunges for a ball when he didn’t need to.”

Elsewhere, Jamie Young kept a clean sheet as Aldershot secured a crucial 1-0 win over Barnet. Young made several fine saves as Aldershot moved 3 points clear of the relegation zone.

In the Scottish Premier League, Alex Baird was an unused substitute as Dundee FC lost 1-0 to St Johnstone.

In the Scottish Second Division, Marc Warren played a full game as Airdrie United drew 1-1 with Cowdenbeath.