AMSTERDAM – Timothy Chandler returned from suspension in a winning cause on Friday night, as FC Nürnberg tentatively moved to within five points of the Europa League zone by topping hosts Augsburg 2-1.
The US right-sider slotted into midfield for a lukewarm shift as Der Club ran their unbeaten streak to six games in climbing 10 points clear of the relegation mire. Michael Parkhurst went unused by survival playoff residents Augsburg, who saw a two-game win streak halted.
One floor down in the 2.Bundesliga, St. Pauli winger Joseph Gyau enjoyed a decent outing in their 3-2 home victory over Jahn Regensburg.
The youngster left with the Pirates ahead after 85 minutes, just before they went down a man, leaked an equalizer and bagged a last-gasp winner over the remainder. With three wins on the trot, St. Pauli moved to eight points above the trap door.
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Elsewhere, Andrew Wooten went 73 quiet minutes in relegation bait Sandhausen's 1-0 loss to visiting 1860 Munich. Bobby Wood was an unused sub for the victors, who are now 5-0-3 in their last eight league matches away from home.
Danish Superliga action saw Charlie Davies pitch in with 13 industrious minutes in Randers FC's 2-0 victory over guests SønderjyskE.
The forward managed to put himself in good position for three chances, only to agonizingly miss each of them. Thanks to their third straight win, the Horses pulled to within a point of Denmark's second Champions League invite.
Over in Portugal's Liga ZON Sagres, Tony Taylor came on for the last 13 minutes of Estoril's 2-0 defeat at first-place Porto. The loss cost the seventh-place visitors a chance to rise into the final Europa League slot.
Finally, in the Dutch second flight, Charles Kazlauskas worked the final 22 minutes to help Helmond Sport complete a rally from two down for a 3-2 victory at MVV Maastricht. The win allowed the visitors to both wrest away third place and move to within four points of the league penthouse.
