Loan watch: Clean sheets for Henderson & O'Hara
Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson kept a clean sheet as his loan club Sheffield United secured a useful point by recording a goalless draw against Watford on Saturday.
Dean made executed great saves in the stalemate at Vicarage Road, where the 22-year-old made himself big to deny former Red Danny Welbeck when he was through one-on-one with the keeper. He then got down low to deny a late Craig Dawson header from a set-piece.
The draw was a much-needed boost for the Blades and ensured that Chris Wilder's side remain clear of the Premier League's relegation zone in 13th place, which is the highest of the three newly-promoted clubs.
It’s been a week too long to get back out there!!! What a way to bounce back... clean sheet 🚫 thanks to the team and fans for their support 🔜🔛🔝 @SheffieldUnited pic.twitter.com/4SkQKnlQ06
— Dean Henderson (@deanhenderson) October 5, 2019
Elsewhere, fellow United goal keeper Kieran O'Hara had a weekend to remember, as he also kept a clean sheet in Burton Albion's 3-0 away win against MK Dons in League One.
The Brewers were in the ascendancy for the majority of the game, however the Republic of Ireland international did make a decent block to deny former Premier League striker Jordan Bowery when he was through on goal.
On the continent, Chris Smalling and AS Roma battled to a 1-1 draw with fellow Europa League challenger Cagliari.
The Romans went behind after VAR ruled that Smalling's fellow defender Gianluca Mancini handled the ball inside the penalty area, and Joao Pedro converted from the spot. But the hosts showed resilience and were on level terms five minutes later, as Justin Kluivert's cross was diverted into the net by Cagliari's Luca Ceppitelli.
Following his red card in last week's victory over Sampdoria, Alexis Sanchez was suspended for Sunday's Derby D'Italia between Inter Milan and Juventus. The reigning Serie A champions emerged victorious, courtesy of goals from Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain. Lautaro Martinez was on the scoresheet for Inter, slotting home a penalty in the 18th minute.
In the rest of the EFL, Ethan Hamilton and George Tanner both played 90 minutes in 3-1 away defeats for Southend United and Morecambe.
A third loss in four games for Gary Waddock's Shrimpers at the hands of Gillingham means the League One outfit remain in the relegation zone, five points from safety, while Morecambe are precariously close to the League Two trapdoor after being beaten by Port Vale.
Cameron Borthwick-Jackson was an unused substitute as Tranmere Rovers narrowly lost 1-0 to Shrewsbury Town at Prenton Park.
North of the border, Joel Pereira was in goal for his first home defeat of the season, as Hearts lost 1-0 to Kilmarnock at Tynecastle.
Chris Burke's header in the 42nd minute edged Killie ahead and, although the hosts had the majority of possession afterwards, the Edinburgh outfit couldn't fashion a route to goal.
That setback has left Craig Levein's Jam Tarts level on points with Edinburgh rivals Hibernian in ninth position in the Scottish Premiership.
In non-league, Alex Fojticek was on the losing side of a 3-2 thriller at Bower Field, as Stalybridge Celtic were defeated by FC United of Manchester. The visitors scored a 90th-minute winner to steal all three points and leapfrog Stalybridge into 11th in the Northern Premier League.
Finally, Aidan Barlow was not Tromso's squad, as the Norwegian outfit produced a surprise 5-0 victory over Kristiansund at the Alfheim Stadium.
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