Israeli Players Feature in English Championship Matches

Three Israeli footballers participated in the 11th round of the English Championship on Saturday, with two starting in their respective matches. Manor Solomon was in West Ham's starting lineup for their top-of-the-table clash against Swansea. Daniel Peretz started in goal for Southampton in their game against Bolton. Lisab Eisaat was on the bench for Bristol City's match against Sheffield United.

Solomon's West Ham, currently third in the league and four points behind leaders Swansea, faced Swansea in a match pitting the Championship's most potent offense against its best defense. West Ham entered the game after a 6-0 victory over Lincoln, while Swansea had not lost at home this season and had won their last four games, having conceded only seven goals in ten matches. The first half of the Swansea-West Ham game ended 0-0.

Southampton, in strong form with four wins in their last five games, played Bolton. Israeli goalkeeper Daniel Peretz had kept clean sheets in his last two matches. The game also marked the return to St. Mary's Stadium of goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, who left Southampton after losing his place to Peretz and had recently boycotted Ireland's matches against Israel. The first half of the Southampton-Bolton game also ended 0-0.

In another match, Lisab Eisaat was not in the starting eleven for 12th-placed Bristol City, who lost 1-0 at home to Blackburn in their previous game. Sheffield United, who lost 3-2 to Portsmouth in their last outing after coming back from two goals down despite playing with ten men, were Bristol City's opponents.