AMSTERDAM — It was another eventful Saturday for American Exports in Europe, with Clint Dempsey hitting a winner for his sixth career goal against Wigan as Fulham eased to a 2-0 away victory.
The US star rounded out a lightning move that needed just two passes from the Cottagers' end to set up his easy 41st-minute opener. Dempsey now has three league goals and five across all competitions this term, while Fulham nudged up to 15th place.
Despite a slight advantage in play and three saves from Tim Howard, Everton dropped a 1-0 home decision to Manchester United. Though the Toffees often looked like tying it up, a 19th-minute strike by Mexico star Javier "Chicharito" Hernández stood up to drop the home side below Fulham.
Meanwhile, Brad Guzan watched from the dugout as Aston Villa leaked near time to settle for a 2-2 draw at Sunderland.
Down one floor in the Championship, Conor Doyle worked 17 minutes of relief as Derby County moved level on points with third place thanks to a 3-1 victory over Portsmouth.
Robbie Findley also put in 17 minutes as Nottingham Forest were edged out 1-0 by guests Hull City.
Next door in Scotland, Carlos Bocanegra held down the defense and Maurice Edu saw yellow at right midfield as Rangers remained nine points clear at the top of the SPL with a 2-1 win at Aberdeen.
Over in the Bundesliga, Jermaine Jones went into the referee's book during a sturdy shift in Schalke's 3-1 home win over Hoffenheim. Daniel Williams matched his US teammate with a yellow card in 90 minutes of action for the visitors, while Fabian Johnson emerged for the final 11 minutes.
Elsewhere, Timothy Chandler started up on the wing and then slid to right back with his team down three at halftime as FC Nürnberg took a 4-0 knock to the chin at table toppers Bayern Munich. Der Club are now winless in six league games.
One league below, an active Matt Taylor went the distance to no avail as Paderborn fell 1-0 to visiting Erzgebirge Aue.
