STUTTGART – It was a rather unpleasant Saturday for European clubs employing Americans, with Geoff Cameron's Stoke City the only such side tasting victory in a 2-0 success at Queens Park Rangers.
The US international made a late cameo for the Potters, who snapped a five-match road losing streak to move six points clear of the drop zone.
Around the EPL, Everton netminder Tim Howard suffered his first defeat in 14 career games against Sunderland in a 1-0 away decision. The US star logged three saves, including top stops on Sebastian Larsson and Adam Johnson. The loss, Everton's first in league play since February, kept them five points shy of England's last Champions League place.
One league below in the Championship, Tim Ream went unused as Bolton climbed into the promotion playoff zone for the first time all season with a 2-1 win over visiting Middlesbrough, as did Zak Whitbread in Leicester City's 2-2 rally share at Crystal Palace.
Switching focus to the Bundesliga, Steve Cherundolo and Hannover 96 fell victim to rampant league leaders Bayern Munich in a 6-1 home drubbing. The Reds' captain was among the culpable on the visitors' first two goals before being removed on 66 minutes. The defeat dropped Hannover seven points off Europa League pace with but four games remaining.
Fabian Johnson and Hoffenheim had it no better in a 5-0 humbling at Bayer Leverkusen. The left back failed to close down the crosser on the home side's third as the relegation fighters missed a chance to pull level on points with Augsburg in the survival playoff spot.
Local product Jermaine Jones came on for the final 26 minutes as Schalke dropped a 1-0 result at former employers Eintracht Frankfurt. With their first loss in four, the Miners saw their advantage for the last Champions League berth reduced to a single point.
Next door in the Eredivisie, Jozy Altidore left with a thigh knock on 54 minutes as AZ Alkmaar fell 3-1 to visiting PSV Eindhoven. The power forward worked a decent shift, setting up a good early chance for Adam Maher before having his best look at goal denied by the away goalkeeper. Thanks to their first setback in four games, the 13th place Cheese Farmers failed to clinch survival, remaining six points above the drop zone with three matches remaining.
Over in Norway, Josh Gatt went 72 minutes in Molde FK's 1-1 draw at Odd Grenland.
The speedy winger forged an opportunity to bag a potential winner near the hour mark, only to hit the post from a sharp angle after rounding the keeper. Defending champs Molde notched their first point of the season, but remained winless at the bottom through five games.
