AMSTERDAM – Jermaine Jones went the distance in midfield as Beşiktaş stayed in contention for Turkey's lone UEFA Champions League group phase invite with a 1-0 win at Elazığspor.
Jones worked an active shift, missing his first Süper Lig goal by mere inches with a drive shortly after intermission. The Black Eagles remained one point behind fellow Sunday victors Galatasaray with only one match left on the schedule.
To the north in Norway's Tippeligaen, Bob Bradley led Stabæk back to break-even with a 3-2 home win over Sarpsborg 08. Michael Stephens came on for the final 34 minutes to help the Blue Ones jump two spots to seventh place.
Also, Sacha Kljestan went unused for the sixth time in a row as three-peat seekers Anderlecht gained penthouse breathing room by blanking guests Genk 4-0. With former D.C. United ace Andy Najar picking up a goal and an assist, the Mauves increased their goal differential advantage with but two games left.
Greg Seltzer covers Americans based in Europe for MLSsoccer.com.
