AMSTERDAM – Anderlecht midfielder Sacha Kljestan clocked in for Champions League Matchday 4 action Tuesday night, helping the Belgian champs stun Arsenal by wiping out a three-goal deficit to gain a 3-3 Group D draw at the Emirates.
The former Chivas USA ace went the distance, mostly in central midfield before dropping back to the left side of a three-man Mauves defense while they chased an equalizer over the final 10 minutes. It was from that position that Kljestan's pass started a 90th-minute rush, which quickly concluded with fellow MLS alum Andy Najar crossing for Aleksandar Mitrović to head home the game-tying goal.
After an early spell of Arsenal possession, Kljestan registered Anderlecht's first shot on goal in the 17th minute. Collecting a short clearance above the area, the US international bounded past a pair of Gunners defenders before drawing a good, low save out of suddenly stranded goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny.
Kljestan got away with a slip in his own area just after the second half opened with the visitors down two and was made to pay in the 58th minute when Arsenal star Alexis Sánchez stripped him above the area. After the turnover resulted in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain bagging the home side's third, both the American and the Anderlecht bench made a brief protest to the referee that he had been fouled by the Gunners attacker.
Those cries went for naught, but Kljestan & Co. did gain some favor from the ref to pull within a goal in the 74th minute. The US international's dangerous entry pass caused Gunners defender Nacho Monreal haul down Mitrović in the area, and Anthony Van Den Borre then successfully fired his second of the night from the spot.
Overall, Kljestan competed 33 of 41 passes while pitching in with five clearances, two tackles and two interceptions. The point gained kept Anderlecht's slim hopes of reaching the knockouts alive and nudged them in front of Matchday 5 guests Galatasaray for third place. That would reward the owner a consolation move to the Europa League bracket stage when group play concludes.
Turning focus to the English Championship, Tim Ream worked a strong, all-around game at left back as Bolton continued reviving their season with a 3-0 defeat of visiting Cardiff City.
In addition to his typically helpful passing out of the back, the reigning Wanderers Player of the Year provided eight clearances, three tackles and a pair of pass interceptions. Despite winning for the third time in five games, Bolton stayed chained to 23rd place.
Around the league, Oguchi Onyewu made his Charlton debut as a target striker off the bench late in a 2-2 rally draw at Leeds United.
The fresh signing entered with the Addicks down one in the 78th minute, immediately taking the place atop their formation. Mere seconds later, Jóhann Berg Gudmundsson leveled matters from the spot, allowing Charlton to end a two-game losing skid away from home.
Daniel Williams enjoyed his first Reading start of the season in a 3-0 home blanking of Rotherham.
The midfielder, who departed after 70 decent minutes of work, led the Royals with three pass interceptions. Williams also cared safely for the ball and added in a key shot block as Reading climbed to 13th place on the strength of starting their first home win streak of the league season.
Also, Brek Shea went unused as Birmingham City snapped a five-game win drought by topping guests Watford 2-1. The Brums remain one spot and one point shy of the safety zone through 16 games.
