AMSTERDAM – Everton star Tim Howard notched his 150th shutout in his European club soccer career on Thursday night, blanking Europa League guests Lille 3-0 to keep his side on top of Group H.
The netminder required just two saves to post his fourth clean sheet in five games across all competitions. Howard's best moment came when he alertly pushed a Ryan Mendes drive over the bar on 21 minutes. Unbeaten through four group matches, Everton can clinch first place and a spot in the knockout stage by winning at Wolfsburg on Nov. 27.
Elsewhere, Fabian Johnson returned to the Borussia Mönchengladbach lineup to work right back in a 2-0 victory at Apollon Limassol that moved them into the Group A penthouse.
The US international nearly had an assist in the opening moments, only to watch Branimir Hrgota fire his cutback pass over the target from a good position. In all, Johnson completed 74 of 75 passes as the Foals ran their overall unbeaten streak to 18 games.
