AMSTERDAM – Both Fabian Johnson and Daniel Williams found the net on Sunday, helping Hoffenheim break into the win column with a 3-1 defeat of Steve Cherundolo's Hannover 96.
Mere seconds after an own goal gave the visitors a 26th minute lead, Johnson collected a long ball to race past the Reds captain and slot home far side from a sharp angle. Williams scored the stoppage time capper with a simple finish after set-up man Sejad Salihović slalomed through four Hannover defenders, including Cherundolo.
The win lifted Hoffenheim out of the basement, while Die Roten remained in third place despite suffering their first loss of the young season.
In the English Premier League, Brad Friedel made three big first half saves, giving Tottenham the chance to rally for a 2-1 victory at local rivals QPR.
Clint Dempsey, who also went the distance for Spurs, went close to scoring twice and had another goal cancelled out by an offside flag on Jermain Defoe. The win boosted Tottenham three rungs up to eighth place.
Across the water in the Eredivisie, Jozy Altidore's AZ Alkmaar squandered a lead held past the hour to fall 2-1 at NAC Breda. The US striker had one golden chance to pad his league scoring lead after busting up the gut near halftime, but was denied by Jelle ten Rouwelaar.
In nearby Denmark, Brøndby skipper Clarence Goodson might be receiving a call from the Superliga disciplinary board after drawing a red card near time of a 1-1 draw at FC Midtjylland. The US defender kicked up at home striker Morten Rasmussen after being knocked down in a hard aerial challenge.
A ferry ride away in Norway, Mikkel Diskerud and Rosenborg saw their 13-game Tippeligaen unbeaten run end with a 2-1 loss at Brann. Despite the setback, the Troll Kids remain in third place, just two points shy of leaders Molde FK with seven matches left.
Over in Spain's La Liga, Oguchi Onyewu dressed but did not appear as unbeaten Málaga posted a 0-0 draw at Athletic Bilbao.
Finally, in Austria, Terrence Boyd watched on as Rapid Vienna pulled to within two points of the summit with a 2-0 victory at SV Ried.
