AMSTERDAM – Everton netminder Tim Howard pulled off a fine double-save in stoppage time to preserve his first shutout of the Premier League season in a 2-0 victory at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
The Toffees star claimed four crosses and ably executed one mad dash out of his box, but his most stressful work came near time. Howard turned away Saido Berahino and then denied Georgios Samaras on the follow-up. The result pushed Everton up to ninth place, with a handful of clubs capable of passing them left to play on Sunday.
Around the league, Jozy Altidore watched on as Sunderland rallied near time through a Tottenham own goal for a 2-2 home share. With three draws form their first four games, the Black Cats tentatively stand 13th.
One league below in the Championship, Tim Ream filled in decently at right back as winless Bolton got their defensive house in order to post a 0-0 draw with visiting Sheffield Wednesday. The former Red Bulls defender notched four pass interceptions, but also got away with a soft back pass to his keeper.
Emerson Hyndman saw yellow before being replaced at the break as cellar dwellers Fulham fell 3-0 at Reading. The Cottagers have now lost five of six to start the season.
Over in the Bundesliga, John Anthony Brooks and early strugglers Hertha Berlin suffered a 3-1 home defeat to Mainz 05. The US defender rang up a team-high five clearances and buzzed the frame with a restart header just before the visitors opened the scoring near halftime.
Finally, Joseph Gyau dressed for his first Borussia Dortmund match, but did not appear in the 3-1 victory over guests Freiburg. The hosts climbed to third place, a point off the top.
