Jackson Irvine will head to the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019™ full of confidence after netting a double in Hull City’s 2-1 Championship win over Preston North End on Thursday morning (AEDT).
Hull extended their unbeaten run to six matches with the triumph at Deepdale, set up by Irvine’s 28th-minute header from six yards.
Preston levelled proceedings just two minutes into the second half through Alan Browne’s 25-yard effort but Irvine had the last laugh.
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The midfielder - who has been playing in a more advanced role for Hull in recent weeks - scored the winner with just 10 minutes to play, nodding home from close range following a City corner.
Irvine has now scored five goals in 21 Championship appearances this season for a Hull side who sit 15th on the table.
Maty Ryan also had a match to remember before joining up with the Caltex Socceroos in the United Arab Emirates, the Brighton and Hove Albion goalkeeper catching the eye in a 1-1 English Premier League draw with Arsenal.
Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang opened the scoring in the seventh minute and as he looked to double his account, Ryan twice denied him with outstanding saves.
Brighton then equalised through Jurgen Locadia and finished the stronger in an entertaining clash at the Amex Stadium. Ryan’s Brighton sit 13th on the table.
Also in England, Massimo Luongo played 90 minutes in the heart of midfield as Queens Park Rangers cruised to a 3-0 Championship success against Ipswich Town.
After a slow start to the season, QPR have stormed to eighth on the table and are just two points off the play-off places.
In Scotland, Tom Rogic also played a full match as Celtic won 4-3 at Aberdeen to go three points clear at the top of the table.
Celtic’s biggest challengers, Rangers, dropped points in a 1-1 home draw with Hibernian.
Martin Boyle got through 90 minutes in the clash for Hibs, while Jamie Maclaren was substituted after 70 minutes. Mark Milligan did not feature in the match.
And in Belgium, Danny Vukovic was also in action, the goalkeeper’s Genk coming from behind to beat Gent 3-1.
