AMSTERDAM – Sunderland striker Jozy Altidore snapped a 29-appearance goal drought dating back to last season in style, but his opening strike Tuesday night was squandered as the home side dropped out of the Capital One Cup with a 2-1 loss to Stoke City.
Though a large Stoke possession edge limited his offensive touches, it was the US international that broke the ice on 16 minutes. Altidore accepted a Will Buckley pass at the top of the area before quickly turning Potters defender Roberth Huth to pick out the low left corner on the spin.
Altidore now boasts three goals and five assists in nine career League Cup matches, but he was unable to add to his total as the defending runners-up fell out of this year's draw in the third round. The former Red Bulls ace did, however, pick up stoppage time yellow card for dissent.
Meanwhile, Emerson Hyndman pitched in 90 minutes of midfield link play in Fulham's 2-1 home victory over Doncaster. The Cottagers posted their first win of any kind since jumping the second-round hurdle in this tourney nearly a month ago.
Everton star Tim Howard logged two saves and as many cross claims to no avail as the visitors were overrun by Swansea City 3-0. The netminder's best work came on a denial of Gylfi Sigurdsson near the hour mark.
Also, Zak Whitbread watched on as Derby County advanced with a 2-0 defeat of guests Reading. All Capital One Cup fourth-round ties will be drawn at the conclusion of Wednesday night's action.
Turning to the Bundesliga, Eintracht Frankfurt right back Timothy Chandler enjoyed a solid night, helping the hosts rally from two down for a 2-2 home share with Mainz 05. The US defender completed 41 of 50 passes, including a pair of troublesome crosses, and committed just one turnover.
One floor down in the German second flight, Sandhausen forward Andrew Wooten fired the late 1-0 winner for the third straight game, downing guests 1860 Munich in the second minute of injury time.
With Lions attacker Bobby Wood going unused on the away bench, Wooten repeatedly caused trouble over the first hour of play. He would not crack through until stoppage time, when he capped a counter by shooting low into the far corner.
Thanks to the three consecutive deciders by their American, Sandhausen climbed back to break-even and reached the top half of the table. With but one win through seven rounds, Wood and 1860 sit in 13th place.
Alfredo Morales and Ingolstadt at least temporarily nudged their way back to the top of the standings with a 1-1 home draw against cellar dwellers Erzgebirge Aue. Trailing as a late runner, the defensive midfielder managed to come into four good scoring chances but shot over twice and was denied by saves on the other two occasions.
