AMSTERDAM – Everton star Tim Howard out-dueled compatriot Brad Guzan for the third straight time by notching a 3-0 Premier League victory over guests Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon.
It was a fairly easy day at the home office for Howard, who needed just two saves to snap a three-game win drought. Fellow USMNT backstop Guzan rang up three saves, including a fine first-half stop on Ross Barkley.
However, the former Chivas USA man also allowed a soft goal in in the 48th minute, as Romelu Lukaku's strike snuck through his hands. The result tentatively lifted Everton to 12th place, while Villa's fourth straight loss dipped them to 11th.
Meanwhile, Jozy Altidore was left out as Sunderland absorbed a 8-0 lesson at Southampton. The Black Cats stand four points above the danger line through eight games.
One flight down in the Championship, Zak Whitbread continued his strong form, leading all players with 16 clearances as Derby County rose to second place with a 2-0 win at Reading.
The Rams, who moved to within a point of the summit, posted their fourth consecutive clean sheet in league play. Derby have also yet to lose when the American starts, going 7-0-4 with five shutouts.
Looking around the English second division, Eric Lichaj was removed after a hot-and-cold half as fifth place Nottingham Forest continued to struggle in a 2-1 loss at Cardiff City.
The US international pitched in seven clearances and two shot blocks from left back in his 45 minutes, but was also beaten by the scorer on Federico Macheda's opener. After starting the new season on fire, Forest are now winless in five league matches and six overall.
Also, Tim Ream watched on as Bolton moved out of the cellar with a 1-0 win at Birmingham City and Emerson Hyndman went unused in Fulham's 1-0 home victory that knocked Norwich City out of the top spot.
Turning to the Bundesliga, Fabian Johnson worked the final quarter hour on left wing as unbeaten Borussia Mönchengladbach grabbed second place with a 3-0 cruise through Hannover 96. The visitors have now gone 14 matches across all competitions without a defeat since closing day of last season.
One level below, Andrew Wooten quietly went the distance on right wing in Sandhausen's 3-1 loss at Union Berlin. With three straight losses, the visitors fell to 14th place.
